en

rewing storm. The crowd parted before me like the Red Sea, their murmur

n them. They were fixe

of her dress flared out, a violent splash of color against the mon

something that made her head

sm

ur miserable marriage. It was radiant, genuine, and blindingly bright. It transformed he

of pure, unadulterated fury. She sm

ting in her room, begging the Moon Goddess for forgiveness. She was here, in

g as she clung to my arm. We reached the edge of the dance floor, the music s

nds in my soul. The mention of the child-the heir she had

I growled, my voic

r scent of vanilla and artificial sweetness trying to mask the rage rolling off me

loor. My hand splayed across her back, claiming her, but my

ated partners to show unity. I watched as Aline moved from Deric to an Elder, and then to a visiting

ing against my chest, her eyes following my line of sight. "It's as if

ing

mine. Even if I didn't want her, even if I rejected her, she was still my mate. Her smiles, her scent, her body-they

m across the floor when the music shifted a

just through the speakers, but echoing in the Mind-Lin

ts cut through the di

, illuminating Aline. She froze, her hand still resting on Deric

ond bea

e air crackled with ozone and static electricit

la, the chosen pairs must dance. To ref

elf from her grip. My eyes met Aline's across the expanse of the floo

should b

toward her; I prowled. The crowd scrambled to get out of my way, leav

I was going to make sure she reme