Page 100 of Reign

There are more responsible questions I should ask first.

The one I choose is considerably more selfish.

“And after me?”

Her brows draw together. “After you what?”

I let the silence stretch just long enough for her to feel it.

Then I say, “You and Sergeant Ryatt.”

She stares at me.

Then her eyes widen. “Sex with Riot?”

“That is generally what ‘after me’ means.”

“No, you’re asking me a ridiculous question.” She glances toward the doorway, then back at me, lowering her voice. “How is that relevant to the night that we—”

She stops.

I wait.

Her chin lifts, a challenge replacing the hesitation, because Elena would rather flirt with a blade than admit she’s bleeding.

“The night that we what?” I ask.

Her eyes flash. “You know.”

“I’d like to hear you say it.”

“No.”

“Pity. I wanted to know which word you’d choose.”

Her spine straightens. Her fingers tighten around the glass before she sets it down.

“Was there anyone after me, princesa?”

For a moment, I think she’ll fight me purely because she can.

Then she looks away.

“No one after,” she says.

It’s too quiet for the sharpness she’s been throwing at me all night.

No one after me.

The admission settles hot and possessive beneath my ribs.

I don’t hide the smile this time.

She looks back at me. “Okay? Happy?”

“Very.”

“God,” she mutters, grabbing her fork again. “Can we eat? You wanted me to eat, right? Let me eat.”