Caspian moves the woman off his lap, then tilts his head, the smuggest expression on his face. And even though his body is hidden by the fae, who’s looking slightly confused, I know he’s releasing his pleasure.But he didn’t finish in her.
Kel’s fingertips grip my thigh hard enough to bruise. The idea sends a tingle of desire through me, one I know has no influence from the Below. I lay my hand over his. “Okay, I agree. This place sucks.”
Ezryn shows the most emotion I’ve heard all night as he chuckles, “Heh, he didn’t last long.”
I whirl to Caspian, conversing with the fae woman. He looks past her, down to us, and winks.
Thorns crawl around the woman. Then they fall away, dipping into the ground in a wave of shadows, leaving only Caspian, lacing his pants.
“Where did she go—” I start before a swirl of shadow and thorns weave before us.
Ezryn stands, drawing his sword. I let out a startled gasp, and Kel reaches across the table for another drink. The shadows fall away to reveal her, Caspian’s latest conquest.
55
Rosalina
WhywouldCaspiansendthe woman he fucked to our alcove?
I stand, ready to tell her to get out. But she pushes into our willow grove, completely ignoring me and oblivious of the giant man with a sword. She throws herself on top of Kel, grabbing his shirt, and blinking up at him with big doe eyes.
“Keldarion?” Her voice is a low rasp. “I’m here for you.”
I take a single breath, watching in horror as her bare breasts push against Kel’s chest, hands stroking his face.
A fiery beast bursts forth from inside my chest, and I snarl, “Get off of him.”
Thorns break through the ground and wrap around her arms, tugging her back. She clatters over the table, glasses falling to the side, shattering and spilling.
What… What did I just do? The thorns release. Thankfully, it doesn’t appear like any pierced her skin.
The fae woman sits up, unbothered, and doesn’t even glance at me as she searches the room, finally landing on Kel again. “Keldarion, I belong to you.”
Kel’s face remains impassive, but my anger flares.
“He doesn’t belong toyou,” I snarl. Spending so much time with these fae princes has rubbed off on me. “Take your eyes off him or I’ll claw them out.”
She behaves as if she doesn’t hear me and clambers toward him.
“You are not wanted here,” Keldarion growls.
The woman pauses, then sits up, blinking. A confused expression crosses her face as she looks around. “So, are you guys round two?” She tilts her head, pouting. “I thought he’d at least let me finish.”
“Get out of here.” My vines sprout from the ground, their razor-sharp tips glinting in the gray light. “Touchmymate again, and I’ll use these thorns to shred you to ribbons.” The briars coil around my arms, awaiting my command.
“Who the fuck are you?” the fae woman stammers, scrambling up.
“Someone you don’t want to anger.” Ezryn gives the woman a gentle nudge out of our alcove.
I drop my hold on the thorns as soon as she leaves, feeling something relax in my chest. I’m swept up in strong arms, the scent of pine and winter. Keldarion pushes me against the willow tree’s jeweled trunk, and my legs instinctively wrap around his waist.
He grips my chin. A strange satisfaction simmers in my heart at chasing that woman away from my mate.
“Did you want her?” I ask, knowing the answer.
Kel’s gaze drifts up and down my body. “Never.”
“Did I frighten you?” I’m less sure of this answer. Briars now lace around our willow. It reminds me of Castletree.
