“I haven’t dodged your anything!” To this day, she didn’t know why she’d snapped at him in anger. Something about his accusation had fired her temper. But she’d known at the time that it was the worst reaction she could have had with Bastien. He never reacted well to direct confrontation. It invariably caused him to dig his heels in.
And do something rash and stupid.
There was one absolute truth about the captain—he never backed down. He’d set himself on fire first. For that, she had his mother to thank. That infamous Triosan stubborn streak that was apparently genetic.
“Oh, okay, Major. Ifyousay so.” Bastien’s droll sarcasm had only fueled her fury more.
Wanting to lash out and hurt him as much as he’d stung her, she’d growled low in her throat. “Look, I don’t care what or who you do. I’m not your keeper anymore.”
“Where didthatcome from?”
“I’m disconnecting now.” She’d dropped the signal and forced herself not to throw her link.
Or stomp it.
Instead, she’d called Alura immediately. “You asked out Bastien?” she’d snapped at her sister without preamble. “How could you be such a bitch?”
Alura hadn’t shown the least bit of remorse over her actions. And why should she? As the youngest of their family, Alura had always thought herself special and immune from the rules of common courtesy. Of common decency. “You threw him away. Remember? I felt bad for the guy. He’s been moping for weeks. Someone needs to have some pity on him. Besides, it’s just dinner. Relax.”
“Relax? Really?”
“What’s your problem, Em?” Alura had dared to use that snotty tone that made Ember want to slap her. “Anyone else would have been on their knees in gratitude to marry a visir, especially one who was so in love with them. Onlyyouwould turn him down flat, for no good reason.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to deal with his ødara looking down her regal nose at you because you’re not good enough for her precious little baby. Or worse, his zusa. I swear, every time I get near them, I feel the need to check my shoes.”
“Check your shoes?”
“Yeah. Their lips curl like they’re both smelling dog shit.”
Alura had snorted. “You’re ridiculous. No one can make you feel bad unless you allow it.”
“Easy for you to say. I don’t have your galactic-sized ego.”
“And that’s why I asked him out. I don’t mind dealing with his family. Besides, he looks terrible. You’ve just about killed him with your callousness.”
Like it’d been any easier on her? Truth was, she did want to marry him. Bastien was everything she’d ever wanted in a man.
And more.
But damn his family. They were so irritating and intrusive. Every time she turned around, one of them had been in her face. And since they were royalty, with life- and death-sentencing capabilities over everyone in their empire, she hadn’t been able to tell them off.
Worse? Hismarriedbrother had made several inappropriate advances toward her. Then threatened her, her parents, and sisters if she breathed a word about it to Bastien.
The thought of being tied tothatfor eternity…
As much as she loved Bastien, it’d been too terrifying to contemplate.
Now her own sister was being a dirtbag.
Again.
Furious and hurt, Ember growled at Alura. “I’m your zusa! You should be thinking aboutme.”
“I am thinking about you. I’m tying him up until you come to your senses. Then I’ll hand him back. Simple. When you’re ready, I’ll hand-deliver him to your door, myself.”
Something had told Ember even then that Alura was lying. But like a fool, she hadn’t listened. She’d wanted to believe that her own blood wouldn’t screw her over again. Not with another man. And not with one she loved as much as she loved Bastien.
She should have known better.
