For a heartbeat, they stayed frozen in that pose, and possessiveness unfurled in his chest like something feral waking.
She was wearing his twilight. His starlight against her skin.His.
"Interesting," Seraphina murmured, her voice cutting through his spiral. "I don't think I've ever seen you this close to losing control in public. Not in all the time I've known you."
"I'm perfectly controlled." The lie rang hollow.
A crystal wine goblet on a nearby table developed hairline cracks with an audible sound.
Seraphina glanced at the fracturing glass, then at Dante's grip on his own goblet. His hands were trembling. He couldn't make them stop.
"You sure seem like it," she said dryly, taking a step back.
The song ended. Vex released her with obvious reluctance, his hand trailing down her arm in a final possessive gesture that made Dante's vision blur at the edges.
“You could always cut in,” Seraphina said, her voice neutral, though she gave him a knowing look. “Claim a dance like any other courtier seems free to do.”
"This is a diplomatic function." The words ground out between clenched teeth. "I can't show favoritism. Can't make it obvious that she's?—"
Important to him. The only thing that had broken through the isolation in ages. The woman wearing his colors while she refused to look at him.
"Since when has that stopped you from doing what you want?" Seraphina murmured, swirling her wine with amusement at his predicament.
Before he could respond, another partner cut in—a warrior from Seraphina's court built like a mountain, all broad shoulders and protective instincts—one of her elite guards, a man who'd died in battle defending others.
And he held Brynn like something he wanted to keep.
The warrior leaned down to murmur something in her ear, his head bent close to hers. Whatever he said made her throw her head back with delight, exposing the graceful line of her throat. The laugh was unguarded, beautiful.
And it wasn't for him.
Dante's wine glass exploded in his grip.
The sharp sound of shattering crystal cut through the music and conversation. Several courtiers jumped, startled. Dark wine stained his gloves, dripped onto the marble at his feet. Crystal shards glittered among the spreading liquid.
He barely noticed.
All he could see was another man's hands on her skin. Another man making her smile. Another man earning what Dante had thrown away with his secrets and his arrogant certainty that he knew what was best for her.
"Reaper." Seraphina's voice was sharp now, cutting. "You're making a scene. People are staring."
He looked around, awareness returning slowly.
A wide circle of space had formed around him. Shadows writhed across the terrace in aggressive patterns, spreading outward. Frost was forming on the ground despite the warm night air.
Every conversation within twenty feet had died into silence. Nobles from various courts stared at him with expressions ranging from alarm to fascination.
On the dance floor, Brynn looked up. Their eyes met. The corner of her mouth twitched upward.
Then she turned back to her partner. She leaned closer to the warrior, letting his bulk shield her from Dante's gaze. Using him as a barrier.
The dismissal was clear and cutting.
His restraint snapped.
"That's it." The words emerged as a low growl, causing nearby courtiers to flinch. "I'm done watching."
He was already moving before rational thought could stop him. Political considerations, the investigation, and maintaining appearances. None of it mattered anymore.
