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Fury ignited in her veins.

She shoved her heels beneath her and heaved. The sudden move sent them rolling. First, her on top. Then Alexandra. Over and over.

Shouts rang in her ears, thundering over her pounding heart.

“Alex, stop.” Someone—not Liam—shouted, and the snarling she-cat was ripped away. Vivian staggered to her feet and swept a crystalized clump of snowy hair off her cheek. Jericho stood with his arms clamped around Alexandra’s waist. Deep within the furious woman’s eyes, an unholy light gleamed. Crimson tendrils of snow-caked hair floated around her face, and she held up her hands.

Fire ignited in Vivian’s skull. Her legs gave out. She clutched her head and screamed. It seemed her very brain boiled. Even with Alistair, she’d never known this kind of pain.

Liam raced to her side and dropped to his knees. “Shit, not this again.” He wrapped his arms around Vivian, tucking her head against his chest as though to protect her from the crushing onslaught. “Jericho, do something,” he bellowed.

Jericho spun Alexandra to face him and cupped her cheeks. “Alex, stop. Let her go.”

Just as suddenly as it occurred, the pain ceased.

Nausea rolled through Vivian’s stomach, and she retched into the snow. Liam held her hair and patted her back while she rid her body of the stale coffee she’d sipped at the airport.

When she was done, she swiped her sleeve against her mouth. “Whatwasthat?” she panted, peering at the couple standing before her. Liam helped her onto her feet, dusting snow from her pants.

Jericho dusted Alexandra’s clothes as well.

The other woman heaved a shuddering breath. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.” Then she straightened, seeming to regain her footing. “After all, it’s not every day someone rips out my hair and throws me on the ground,” Alexandra said, her tone biting.

Liam huffed a growling laugh and slung his arm around Vivian’s shoulders. “Much as I love a good cat fight, how about we try this again, without all the hissing and scratching. Jericho and Alex, this is Vivian”—he cleared his throat—“my Bride.”

Vivian winced. While she still stumbled over the word, Liam didn’t seem to share her affliction.

Alex pressed her hand to her mouth as though she, too, might vomit. “Your what?”

“How about we all head inside,” Jericho suggested.

Twenty-One

Vivian curledher hands around the steaming cup of peppermint tea. Flames crackled in the hearth. Alexandra sat opposite her on the sofa. Both were curled up with blankets over their laps. After their little tussle in the snow, they’d been soggy and half frozen. When Alex had offered her a ridiculous thermal bodysuit with a flap that buttoned over herderrière, along with a sweater and wool socks, Vivian was too cold to refuse.

Since Vivian had done a number on Alex’s braid, the young woman had piled her long red hair into a loose ponytail set high on her head. Thick bangs framed her eyes. Like Vivian, Alex was dressed to chase the chill, wearing a faded Howlers T-shirt, flannel pants, and a hoodie.

Vivian was pleased to discover the interior of the cabin wasn’t as primitive as she’d first believed. Inside, the walls were crafted of flat logs with minimal chinking between them for a more contemporary feel. Soft leather sofas flanked the iron-clad fireplace, and massive windows overlooked a deck with beautiful views. Just off the great room, the kitchen had many modern additions with granite countertops and high-end appliances.

She drew the woven blanket higher over her stomach, saying to Alex, “Again, I’d like to apologize for my behavior earlier.” If asked, she’d blame the warmth rising in her cheeks on the heat of the fireplace. “I don’t know what came over me.”

With Jericho and Liam off doing manly things in the barn, Alex and Vivian had spent the last hour chatting, settling into an easy rapport.

Alex flitted a hand. “You’ve only been mated a few short days. Trust me, those mating instincts can pack a wallop. I’m the one who should apologize for greeting Liam that way.” She rubbed her thumb over the rim of her cup. “It’s just I haven’t seen anyone but Jericho in weeks, and I got a bit carried away.”

“Cabin fever.” Vivian nodded. “I understand.” If she’d spent the last few weeks locked away in the wilderness with only Liam for company, there was no telling what she would do.

Though after that little display in the front yard, she certainly understood why Jericho had hidden his new Bride in a remote mountain retreat. Apparently, Vivian wasn’t the only one with secrets. Alex had been kind enough to bring her up to speed. When Alex and Jericho were captured by Zion’s henchmen, he was forced to make a horrifying decision. Kill the woman he loved or change her.

The fact the faerie had survived the transition was unheard of, as well as highly illegal. And when Alex became a vampire, her empathic powers multiplied tenfold, along with her skill set. If the Council discovered her secret, they’d have her exterminated. After all, the only thing more dangerous than the vilest underworld monsters was someone with the ability to control them.

Vivian massaged her temples, and Alex’s brow furrowed. “How does your head feel?” she asked, her tone laden with guilt.

“Better now.” Though the headache lingered. “Perhaps if Liam had explained your situation, I would have been prepared.” Although, if she were being honest with herself, even if she’d known Alex could hard-boil her brain, it wouldn’t have changed her reaction. Seeing another woman in Liam’s arms unleashed something vicious inside her.

Alex winced in apology. “Liam swore an oath not to tell anyone. Also, I’m afraid he doesn’t like to talk about my transition because he feels responsible.”

“Responsible?”