Page 161 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

Graves.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Kierse was sure that she was seeing a mirage. But no, it was Graves in the entrance to Club 21 for Nate and Maura’s engagement party. He was dressed in a classic black suit with a black button-up and tie paired with fitted black gloves. He looked every bit as threatening and terrifying as she’d ever seen him. Those thunderstorm eyes assessed the room for a challenge and found none. He didn’t need a weapon on hand. Hewasthe weapon.

The tension released from his shoulders like a snake uncoiling.

Her breath caught as heat pooled in her core. She could practically feel him pressing against her mind, offering her a glimpse into what he wanted from her. How he wanted to take her. Or was that just her mind running away from her? How quickly could she get him out of this room to ease the ache in her?

Graves stalked across the room. The crowd parted for him as if they could feel the weight of his oppressive gaze on them. She shivered at his approach, wondering exactly how this was going to go down. Graves had a charisma that she could not deny, but she had never seen him in this sort of situation. Only in ones in which he was in command.

Here he was inherworld. Not his.

His hand slid around her waist, and he pressed apossessive kiss to her lips, claiming her before the entire room. “Wren,” he said against her mouth. “Sorry I’m late.”

“Late,” she breathed, suddenly forgetting how words worked.

“I went to check out the door. It’s gone. Curator must have moved it.”

“Oh.” She brought herself back to the present. “You went into the market alone?”

“I met Vale,” he reassured her. “I had to pay him for his help last time anyway. I was planning to be here when Gen mentioned you would arrive, but I got held up.”

“Gen mentioned?”

“She gave me the information,” he said casually. A smirk on his lips said he’d wanted to surprise her. “I was invited, correct?”

“I have a plus-one.”

“You weren’t planning to bring anyone else?”

“I had another offer.”

His smile faltered. “I bet you did.”

“Didn’t take him up on it, though,” she said, threading her fingers through his tie. It wasn’t a flat black like she’d expected but instead was embroidered with holly vines. Apropos.

“I’m sure he loved that.”

“He didn’t, but I bet you do.”

Graves smiled. A real genuine smile that made her heart stutter. “I do, Wren. I very much do.” He gestured to her waiting friends. “Now are you going to introduce me, or should I take my gloves off?”

Kierse laughed, an emotion that made Graves almost glow. “I can do the intros.”

“About fucking time,” Maura said, nearly jumping up and down. “I’m so excited to meet you!”

Graves held out a gloved hand, and Maura put hers in it without hesitation. She could see that was a novelty for Graves. People didn’t touch him if they knew who and what he was. But Maura didn’t seem to care.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Graves said gallantly.

Nate rose to his feet. “You know,” he said, when he shook hands with him, “she normally dates girls. This is a huge downgrade.”

Kierse sighed heavily. “Nate!”

Graves smirked. “To be fair, I typically date men.”

Nate’s eyebrows shot up at that. “Well, she is special.”

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