Page 29 of Vex
Something was off with her, and it wasn't the sex.
The morning had been awkward, but Luisa had been all work, going over her data like she'd been born to read it. Only after he'd gotten out of the shower were things off.
Why?
There hadn't been time to ask.
"What do you want to know about the old heap?" He summoned his most dissolute voice—the angry, greedy lord who wanted more and would do whatever it took to get it. "I'm a second son. I've been forced to make my own fortunes."
"And he's made so much." Luisa didn't miss her cue this time.
Her fingers traced the necklace at her throat. His only regret about last night was that she hadn’t been wearing it when he took her.
"Oh, is that?—"
A knock interrupted, and an Oscavian with dark purple skin and pink hair stuck his head in.
"What is it, Zymon?" Maera sounded unhappy about the interruption.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I thought you wanted an update on the …" The Oscavian's gaze swept over Vex and Luisa with professional assessment, cataloging their faces.
"Later." The harshest he'd ever heard her. With him, she'd been cloying sweetness and soft edges.
Zymon disappeared.
"You'll have to forgive my head of security. He's eager."
Head of security. Vex would bet his title that the interruption hadn't been accidental. She wanted her man to see them in person. Sometimes a security scan didn't do faces justice.
"Now, tell me about this heap. I've never been to Vemion, but I've heard stories."
"Oh, yes, please." Luisa clung to his arm. "You never let me visit."
He leaned back, adopting the bored posture of a man discussing property he took for granted. "It’s nothing impressive, a bit of hunting land and a house with good bones. Old Vemion style, stone and timber, built for winter storms. There's a tower where I can shift and take flight without neighbors complaining. The city quarters are convenient for court business but cramped. Three rooms overlooking the financial district, so I can walk to the banks when I need to move credits." All true. No reason to lie about mundane details when truth served just as well.
"Don't feel bad, dearie," Maera told Luisa. "He can't bring his mistress around the house his wife will oversee."
Luisa stiffened. Her expression drooped and, for a second, looked real. Pain flickered across her features, before she caught herself. Then she recovered. "Vexy says he can't live without me."
Vexy.
He wasn't sure whether to strangle her for the nickname or burst out laughing.
He settled on an indulgent eye roll.
"My uncle will make an issue of it someday. He favors some royal matchmaking charlatan. She matches nobles according to hoard size and whether the king favors them."
He watched Daxkar closely. Her eyes lit up.
Jackpot.
"You're looking for an alternative way of matching."
He stroked his fingers down Luisa's neck and gave her a look he feared was too affectionate. He couldn't afford to feel anything for her. Not here. Not ever.
And yet.
"I won't be allowed to take who I want as a bride," he lied, staring at Luisa.
