Page 90 of Mate of a Monster

Knight stands off to the side of the dais in ceremonial black, arms crossed. His stare meets mine and a flicker of satisfaction moves across his mouth, quick as a blade flash. London wears a matching gown, her eyes brightening when she sees me. Maybe she felt bad for all the shit she said and did. Or maybe they finally know the truth.

I was never the enemy, just hard to handle. And his.

My laugh turns rough. Oh, how I’d love to smear all this pretty shit all over the place.

The music playing is too soft and mellow for my taste.

I want chaos.

But I can feel the Nightkin using Legend’s powers from within me, keeping the place tame. Me included.

Zev makes sure his strides match mine, mask back to cover his face. The Nightkin’s mask. Mine.

“Yours,” he purrs; his response vibrates through me and straight for my fucking clit.

Zev’s presence anchors me when little else does.

Arabella curls around Legend’s forearm like she’s afraid he’ll drift away if she loosens her grip. Her gaze rakes over me with open disgust.

Legend doesn’t look at anyone else.

Stubborn bastard.

I reach the steps to the dais, where the bone arches rise behind them as if to protect.

Zev’s hand slides around my waist and lands on my lower belly, warm even through the thick leather.

I sink back into him, letting my spine brush his chest.

“I hope you don’t mind me crashing. Figured I might find my own mate here.”

Arabella’s face twists. “Ew. No one here wants dirt.”

My laugh comes easy. I let it roll out, let it cut through the music and remind them I don’t belong here and I don’t give a damn.

My eyes slide back to Legend’s, my smirk pulling at my mouth like I have a secret lodged under my tongue. Because I do. “Huh, you sure?”

Zev’s fingers flex against my stomach. His other hand slides up, knuckles grazing my ribs, then his mouth lowers to my neck.

His lips brush my skin.

“Hellpet, I will cut his lips from his face.”

Everything in Legend changes, and the Nightkin goes quiet.

The air thickens. His nostrils flare as his gaze drops to Zev’s mouth on me, and violence lights behind his eyes. Whether he’s aware or not, he doesn’t give a damn about ceremony, crowns, or the bitch at his side right now. His entire focus is on me.

As it should be.

His hand tightens on Arabella’s back hard enough that she winces, though she’s quick to mask the pain in a pathetic attempt to maintain her poise.

Legend looks like he’s about to murder everyone.

Cool. He can start with me—I’ve never turned down blood play.

But first, I wanna play a game.

“Hellpet…”