Page 6 of To Dwell in Shadows
“No,” he said flatly.
Queen Thema’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”
“You don’t need to host a ball for us,” he said. “I don’t want that.”
Arkaya gasped. “You’re rejecting the hospitality of our queen?”
“I appreciate the hospitality, but I’ve gone to enough Malkina celebrations. I wish to have a quiet visit before we travel.”
Queen Thema made a sound of disgust.
Sam responded with, “You may throw a ball if you like?—”
“Oh, may I?” Queen Thema shot back with sarcasm.
“But I will not be attending,” he finished.
The Queen crossed her arms and huffed. “Silly me, I thought you enjoyed standing guard at my events.”
“It was my job!” Sam said angrily.
“Hey, let’s all just take a breath,” Selene said, looking between them.
Queen Thema ignored her. “And you didn’t enjoy yourself, demon?”
“Was enjoyment required of me?” Sam asked.
“Of course not, but how could anyone not be entertained by the festivities?”
“Too much unseemly behavior ignites my demonic instincts.”
“Theunseemlyparts are the most fun!” Queen Thema retorted hotly.
Sam let out a growl of exasperation, causing Selene to hold her palms up in a placating gesture. “Okay guys, that’s enough.”
He was about to make another quip about Queen Thema’s idea of fun, but the worry on Selene’s face stopped him. There had been fearin her voice. When she clung to his arm, he realized what he had done. Unwittingly, he had triggered her fear that he couldn’t control his emotions.
He knew his exchange with Queen Thema was just banter, but Selene didn’t. Too many times, she had witnessed him lose control, and too often, violence had followed. All forms of conflict made his mate uneasy, and now she was assuming the role of mediator and peacekeeper—a responsibility she wished to put behind her.
Sam put his arm around Selene, hoping to signal that there was no cause for worry. He had promised her he would master his demonic instincts instead of relying on her to soothe him—and now was the moment to prove it.
Gentling his tone, Sam said to Queen Thema, “Let us compromise. What if I attended the meal at your ball, then retired to my quarters before dessert?”
“You would choose to skip dessert?” The shock in Queen Thema’s voice was clear.
“I would.”
“Humph I suppose,” Queen Thema replied. “What about your attendance, Selene?”
Selene glanced at Sam, and he gave her a reassuring look.
“I’d love to go and see what the night brings. I may want to stay and dance,” she said.
“Fine, fine,” Queen Thema said. “Oh, Samael, it was foolish of me to think that true love could turn you into someone merry, but I accept your terms.”
The way Selene visibly relaxed made Sam feel relieved. He squeezed her closer, hoping to convey his assurance that she didn’t need to worry.
“Arkaya, can you begin the arrangements?” Queen Thema asked.
