“How are we going to start a fight?”
Lucius hugged her.
“Just follow my lead. Don’t be angry with me for anything I say—it’s all an act. And I’m going to remind you that I was fully committed to whisking you out of here and forgetting this whole idea.”
She turned around, put the glass down, and placed a hand on his cheek, her fingertips touching his fox mask.
“I know, but I think it’s worth it. Don’t you?”
“I don’t know,” he said honestly. “I don’t like the idea of yelling at you and having another male comfort you. It’s going to be very difficult to not want to dip my fangs into his neck.”
Tavia stepped onto her toes and kissed him lightly on the lips.
“Not too much,” she said, pulling back.
He groaned and placed his forehead against hers. “All right. Follow my lead.”
He stepped back and grabbed her hand, leading her through the ballroom.
Her heart raced because it seemed incredibly impossible to want to start a fight with him. How could she after everything that had happened since the moment they walked through those doors?
But this was happening now, and she had to put on the act, just like he reminded her.
They stopped at the edge of the dance floor. A bunch of guards stood around a high table, drinking. She had no idea which guard she was supposed to take to a room.
“I cannot believe you,” Lucius said, tugging her away from the crowd.
The rough gesture made her stumble a bit, and she just caught the gaze of the guard closest to her. His friends laughed and were talking, but his gaze suddenly shifted to Lucius.
“Ow,” Tavia said.
Lucius turned on her, and his hand slid to her wrist, squeezing it.
“How dare you?” he said, venom dripping in his voice.
“What are you talking about?” Tavia said, trying to pull out of his grip.
“I pay for your gown, your jewels, and this is how you repay me.”
She tried to tug away from his grip. “Let me go. You’re hurting me.”
“Oh, this is just the beginning of what I plan on doing to you,” the anger in his voice made Tavia tremble. The pressure he applied to her wrist was actually hurting.
“Stop,” she said. “You’re hurting my arm.”
She tried to tug away, but he yanked on her, pulling her forward, and she stumbled to the floor, banging her knee on the marble.
This was more than just an act. Why did he need to be so cruel?
“You’re disgusting,” he said. “Stay on the floor whereyou belong.”
The human male stepped in front of her.
“That’s enough of that,” he said.
“Don’t get in between us,” Lucius said.
“I’m not going to stand here and allow you to berate this female,” the guard said.
