Page 68 of Rule

Probably not, but I checked behind me againanyway. Today had been awkward and tense, and my stomach was twisted into aknot so tight, I’d had no appetite for dinner.

Bella’s bad mood had lasted all day, and theonly thing that seemed to soothe her was being with Evelyn. Evie had spent allof her time with Bella. She’d even brought Bella to her room and allowed herto sleep in her bed with her for her afternoon nap.

Bran tried to give Evelyn a break fromBella just after supper, but the little girl threw another tantrum, clinging toEvelyn and refusing to let go. Evie took Bella back to her room and cuddledand played with her until it was Bella’s bedtime.

I wanted to blame the tenseness on Bella’smood, but I was fooling myself. The three of us had been walking around oneggshells all day and I was tired of it.

“You joined us,” I said.

He shrugged, refusing to look at me. “Iheard the human moaning and I merely wanted to tell you to be quiet before you wokeBella. When you fuck her tonight, tell her to be quieter.”

“Stop it,” I said angrily. “Do not actlike you did not enjoy last night as much as I did. You stayed, Bran. Youstayed and watched me fuck the human.”

Bran’s face was dark green, and his tailflicked agitatedly back and forth. “What do you want me to say, Court?”

“I want you to admit that you want to fuckthe little human. That you enjoyed last night. That you,” my voice caught inmy throat, “miss what we used to have.”

He didn’t reply and my tail drooped with acombination of frustration and sorrow. “She wants us both, Bran.”

His body tensed. “How do you know that?”

“She told me. Will you help me give herwhat she wants?”

“What if she tells the king?”

“You know she will not,” I said. “Do notuse that as an excuse. I want you to join us and so does she.”

“The last time we fucked a woman together,it did not end well.”

I swallowed my frustration and kept myvoice even. “Evelyn is not like Dana.”

“We do not know that,” Bran said. “Webarely know her.”

“She is not like Dana,” I repeated.

He finally turned his gaze to mine. “Danawas sweet in the beginning. Have you forgotten that, Court?”

“No, I have not,” I said. “But we cannotjudge all females by how Dana was.”

He laughed bitterly. “Are you serious?You, of all Draax, are telling me not to judge females?”

My face grew hot. “I am just saying that -”

There was noise behind me, and I turned tosee Evelyn standing in the doorway. She gave us both an anxious look andcrossed her arms over her torso. “Bella is asleep.”

“Thank you, human,” Bran said as he staredinto the fire. “I am sorry you had to take care of her for the day.”

“It’s fine,” she said. “I didn’t mind.”

Bran grunted, his tail thumping against thesofa. Evelyn pressed her lips together before taking a deep breath. “Iseverything all right with you two?”

“Just fine,” Bran said, the sarcasm heavyin his voice. “Why would it not be?”

“Stop it, Bran,” I replied.

No reply but the thumping of his tail.

Evelyn’s face was bright red and she lookedon the verge of tears. “It’s been a long day,” she said, “I think I’ll go tobed early.”

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