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“You don’t have to. Your eyes, your face, hell, even your nose – they all do the talking for you.”

When he patted his lap, she went to him without a murmur.

He looked at her suspiciously. “That bad?”

She looked at him innocently. “Huh?”

He sighed again. “Just spill it, pet.”

“Well, you know about the rule regarding terms of endearment and how I thought we should have Masters and pets calling each other names than, well, just ‘Master’ and ‘pet’?”

“And?” Personally, nothing made Alexandru happier than hearing his pet call him Master. He was almost certain it was the same for other Masters, but he supposed it was different for pets. Women were strange creatures, after all.

“I was thinking, maybe you could translate this for me...” She showed him her list.

Apple of my eye. Star of my sky. Love of my forsaken life. The fries in my happy meal. The Taylor in my Swift.

And those were the more palatable ones.

“What the fuck is this, pet? You want all Masters to die choking? Is that it?”

ZARI WAS UNABLE TOspeak. So her Masterhadnoticed her omissions. She thought he wouldn’t, but he had, and foolishly, knowing he had made her happy. It meant her calling him Master was important to Alexandru.

When did it start?

She looked at him incredulously.Are we really going to do this now? Have you forgotten—-

Answer the question,he growled.

She sighed.When did what start?

The relationship between you and Erou Damaschin.

We have no relationship—-

And that’s why he just happened to be around when you fainted?

Hating the way he was making her feel defensive, she shot back,At least he’s around! At least he really wants me to be his pet-—She choked, her throat clogging.

What the hell are you talking about? Are you saying he had the gall to make you believe I do not want you as my pet?

He didn’t have to tell me anything,she cried out.I know it!

You know what?

You’re really going to deny it?

How can I deny something I don’t understand—-

The contract!Zari saw his face whiten and knew he finally understood what she was talking about.I was trying to look for something to read. That’s the only reason why I saw it.Her fingers dug into his arms as she threw away her pride and asked,Why haven’t we signed a contract...Master?

The pain on her face made his heart clench. Never had he wanted to see her hurt like this, and it felt a thousand times worse, knowing thathewas the cause of her pain. Her own Master, someone who was supposed to be taking care of her.

It’s not what you think, pet.Alexandru started to say something else but stopped, having sensed another otherworlder approaching.

A chill swept over her at the grim look in her Master’s brilliant green eyes.H-he’s here, isn’t he?

He nodded.