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I narrow my eyes. “Gloating isn’t a good look on you.”

“That’s not what you said two thousand years ago—but then, you wouldn’t remember that, would you?”

I loathe him, loathe him, loathe him.

That doesn’t stop me from leaning my heavy head against his chest, my body spent.

The sorcerer pulls me in closer, and I can’t decide if the action rankles me—he’s the reason behind my exhaustion after all—or if it softens my angry heart.

My gaze moves to the tree line, and I sense Nero lingering in the shadows there.

“She’s all right, Nero,” Memnon calls. “No need to slice me to ribbons. I’m not interested in hurting her.”

“At the moment,” I add.

He glances down at me. “Anymore,” he corrects. His eyes are steady. “No more vengeance,est amage. I set my trap and sprung it. Once you uphold your end of the agreement, I will bury the past and look to the future. I have a bride to charm after all.” At this last part, his expression shifts, turning almost mirthful.

If I had more energy, I’d lunge at him and scratch the look off his smug-ass face. Bury the past. If he had any interest in that, he wouldn’t be trying to resurrect long-lost memories.

My familiar slinks from the tree line, so stealthy and quiet that even under the light of a full moon, he’s hard to notice. When he gets to us, his ears are back and a low growl rumbles in his chest. He hisses at Memnon, flashing his fangs.

What a good kitty.I take back every rude thought I’ve ever directed Nero’s way.

“I’m not putting her down, Nero, not even for—”

Nero lunges, slashing at Memnon with his claws.

My body dips a little as the sorcerer reacts, hissing at the pain.

“Fuck, Nero. I know you love her. I do too—she’s safe with me.”

My familiar is still growling in warning, plainly pissed off. Just hearing the menace pouring off Nero, I’m sure my panther will attack Memnon again—he’s just waiting for the right moment to do so.

“It’s all right, Nero,” I say softly, reaching my hand down.

The big cat’s growls die away, and a moment later, I feel his head brush against my palm.

I pet him gently. “You are thebestfamiliar I could ask for,” I coo, even though I’m sure Nero hates that voice. “And I am all right, I promise. Let’s plan a better time to attack Memnon, deal?” I feel the sorcerer give me a look, though I don’t bother to glance at him and see what the expression is. “For now, we can leave the bastard alone.” Enough harm has already been done this evening.

“How merciful of you, Empress,” Memnon says, and I can hear the amusement in his voice.

At the sound of the sorcerer’s voice, Nero growls once more, but it eventually peters out, and when Memnon begins moving again, Nero falls into step next to him.

“Just be happy I didn’t ask him to castrate you—I think he was ready to.”

“Selene, you and I both know you are far too curious about my cock to let that ever happen.”

I glare at him. “I’m sure, like the rest of you, it’ll be a disappointment.”

If I expected Memnon to be offended by that, I thought wrong. The sorcerer lets out a surprised laugh.

“I don’t see how that’s funny.”

“Come now, Empress, you’re amusing, even when your humor is at my expense. Also, I appreciate the confirmation that you will be seeing my cock at some point in time.”

“I didnotconfirm…”

Crap, I did though, didn’t I? I made it sound like I would be seeing him naked in the future.