Page 11 of Legacy

“The venue will be at a Greek Orthodox church,” Ozias continued.

I lost my fight with a huff, laughing once. “Well, that should work out well, considering I’m Greek Orthodox.”

Ozias dropped his fork with a clatter, agitated as he narrowed his eyes at me. The bright gold on his hand caught my attention with the movement. His thick, squat ring onhis pinky reflected the chandelier’s lights, momentarily distracting me and delaying my response with the full extent of my wrath.

“Don’t wait for me to excuse myself.”I’ll speak up as much as I want.“Seeing as it’s my wedding, it might be important to involve the bride.” I glanced at Elias, who, at that moment, refused to look up from his food. “Or the couple.” Damn, it felt weird to say that out loud. Acouple. With him.

“I understand you might be lacking education,” Ozias lectured. “Your father hasn’t been around to teach you these things. But women don’t speak in a men’s discussion.” He wagged his finger at me like I was a child, taunting me to reach over and break it.

“My fatherhasn’tbeen around,” I agreed as I tossed my napkin to the table, ready to unleash my fury. “But?—”

“ButIhave been,” Vik cut in, warning me not to let my temper get to me. “And I’ve instructed her to speak up when necessary.”

Ozias grunted and shook his head. “Funny, isn’t it? That you reappeared after all this time. We all believed you were dead.”

Vik shrugged, holding his hands out as though to saythink again.

I clamped my lips shut. Vik’s reminder to keep a lid on my temper helped me to rein it in. Arguing with Ozias wouldn’t serve justice. This wasn’t the endgame. If he wanted to feel like a king and be in control, so be it. He would get what he deserved.

All the while, I felt Elias’s eyes on me. He didn’t speak up. He observed me as though he wanted to find my tells and discover a trick.

“It doesn’t matter. This will be my wedding, and I will have a say,” I said, steering the topic away from my father.

“The hell you will. If you become a Xenos, you will do thingsmyway.”

“Or else?” I taunted. “Just what is theXenosway?”

Ozias’s nostrils flared as he seethed, staring daggers at me.

“How about a stroll outside?” Elias stood so fast, dropping his utensils on the table, that I barely had a chance to prepare for his suggestion. “Let’s get some fresh air.”

It wasn’t an offer but a firm order. I narrowed my eyes at the gorgeous man as he held his hand out. Ignoring it, I pushed my chair back and stood alone, gritting my teeth once I gave Vik and Ozias my back.

The second I was outside, I closed my eyes at how they’d butchered the gardens and changed it all. It was hideous, nothing like the natural grounds Mama used to love so much.

Can I even do this? Live here where so many memories linger? Can I live under a roof with that horrible man?Playing charades had never seemed so hard.

I reacted to the touch of Elias’s hand on the small of my back, right near the hilt of the blade I wore there.

Instead of commenting, he trailed his fingers upward, warming my skin, and then said, “We won’t live with him.”

I blinked once, surprised by how Elias could have readmy mind about his father and ignored the fact that I carried a weapon into his house.

This man was dangerous, and I couldn’t let my guard down.

He gestured, directing me away from the doors.

Once we had some distance from the house, he crossed his arms and, point-blank, asked, “Why are you offering yourself up to the big bad wolf as a sacrificial lamb in marriage?”

“You?” I scoffed. “Big bad wolf? Please.”

He lowered his arms and stepped closer, glowering at me. “Answer me.”

I swallowed but didn’t allow any other sign of awareness. Not just loathing or sarcasm, but how much Elias’s clean, spicy scent overwhelmed me this close. “I want my children to have my legacy.” It wasn’t a lie. I wouldn’t have my family name, but I’d have this place. I only had to marry him for his name's sake, giving me some power back in the process. I’d have the territory, which was a step forward in the plan for revenge and justice.

He leaned in, taunting me with his scent and the warmth radiating from his rugged body. With a seductive whisper that sent goosebumps along my shoulder and arm, he pushed back. “I think you’re a wolf hiding in sheep’s clothing.”

Shit.

---