Page 108 of Crown of Briars
“Don’t I? Tell me you’re not at all jealous. Say the words.”
“I—I’m not—” I bit back a scream of frustration. I wanted to smack the smug expression right off Varius’s face. I cleared my throat. “I will stay in your room,” I said through clenched teeth. “But I’m taking the damn bed. You can have the sofa.”
He chuckled. “Very well.”
Seething, all I could do was glare at him while he looked as smug as ever. It was another game for him. Another round he’d won.
My irritation faded as an idea came to mind. A smile tugged at my lips. “Oh, and you wouldn’t mind if I bring one of those soldiers into bed with me for a bit of fun, would you? I’ve been aching for a good shag with someone strong and capable, and the way those soldiersmovedduring training…”
Darkness exploded around me, smothering the lights and shrouding me in a massive black void. My taunting voice died in my throat as I was swallowed by shadows. I could see nothing. I raised my hands and wiggled my fingers.
Not even that could pierce through the darkness.
Somewhere in front of me, Varius was breathing heavily, as if he had sprinted up a staircase. He was making deep, guttural noises, like a feral animal.
“Varius?” I asked uncertainly.
After a moment, the shadows receded. I blinked, my eyes readjusting to the lightened room, then stiffened in alarm.
Varius’s eyes were all black, as if his shadows had leeched away the whites of his eyeballs. I gaped at him in shock, unsure of how to respond to this. Was there a threat nearby? Were we in danger? I glanced around the room quickly, searching for an assailant. But we were alone.
Varius was still short of breath, his arms rigid at his sides. Behind him, his wings had flared, and his claws seemed even longer than before.
“Varius,” I said again.
He shook his head, and his eyes cleared, returning to normal. They were still black, but with the whites, I could tell where he was looking.
And he was staring daggers at me.
“Don’t ever do that again,” he hissed, stepping toward me.
My head reared back. “Do what?”
“Joke about bringing another male intomy bedwith you.”
I scoffed. “But it’s fine foryouto tease me about being jealous?”
“I was teasing you for yourunwarrantedjealousy! There is nothing romantic between me and Tislora.”
“Well, there is nothing romantic between me and any of those soldiers!” I shouted. “It’s the same thing, Varius. You wanted me to admit I was jealous? All right, I was. But so were you.”
His nostrils flared. When he said nothing, I raised my eyebrows expectantly.
“Well? Aren’t you going to admit it?” I planted my hands on my hips. “Or am I going to have to draw out your shadows again to prove it?”
“Fine!” he barked. “Yes. I was jealous.”
“Then, we’re even.”
He bared his teeth at me, showing his fangs. And I glared right back at him.
I wasn’t afraid of him. He was a spoiled king, and he needed someone to tell himnoevery once in a while.
We continued staring at each other, neither of us willing to concede first. And as my anger faded, I realized how ridiculous we were both being.
We were married. This fae male was my husband. And we had just fought over our previous lovers.
All so we could prove the other was jealous.
