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Like their attention had ever really been anywhere else. They were just better at appearing disinterested.

“Mother. Uncle.” I inclined my head respectfully as I greeted each of them. It hadn’t taken long for my uncle to come sniffing around in the vestiges of power—offering his protection, no doubt.

“Nicolas.” My mother’s eyes widened as her gaze travelled to Leia. “And…?” She half-gestured toward her.

“Miss Leia Boucher,” I supplied, my hand still possessively on Leia’s skin. I tucked her closer to me as she held out her hand to my uncle.

“Pleased to meet you.” Her voice was clear but quiet, and I drew small, absent-minded circles on her back with my thumb. Reassuring myself or comforting her, I wasn’t quite certain.

“This is a surprise.” My uncle’s voice was loud, and I tensed my jaw as he took Leia’s hand, his huge palm swallowing hers. It irritated me that he had no discretion, and also that he was touching her when she wasn’t his.

Mother leaned toward me for her customary air kiss, but her lips lingered near my ear.

“The one?” she whispered. “Your virgin?”

I nodded.

“Good.” Then she drew away, her eyes sparkling as she looked over Leia again. “You’re a pretty little thing,” she said, and Leia’s cheeks flushed pink.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, Mother knew she was more than pretty. There wasn’t one person in here who hadn’t picked up Leia’s scent, although I was probably the only one who knew she was my true mate, so maybe no one could guess her actual power or the power she could unleash in me, my ability to hold my throne and rule absolutely.

As Mother and my uncle continued to watch her, Leia fidgeted a little, her fingers twisting together in front of her. I waited to see if they had anything further to say, but apparently not as they returned their attention to their friends, probably to engage in conversation I wasn’t ready for Leia to hear just yet. Mother looked like she might burst if she couldn’t announce to someone that Leia was the one.

“We’ll go and get some drinks,” I said, and spun us away from my mother’s tight group.

The bar was across the room, and conversations fell silent as we passed, whole clusters of people stopping everything they were doing to watch us pass by.

“Is everyone okay?” Leia kept her head facing forward, but her gaze darted from side to side like she was aware of the unusual scrutiny but didn’t want to address it directly.

I grinned. “Yes. It’s unusual for me to have a…” I hesitated. There were so many things I wanted to call her. “A companion, that’s all.”

“Really?” Her steps faltered as she looked up at me. “I’d have thought you would…”

“What?” I grinned as I met her eyes.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Been popular?”

I laughed as we reached the bar, and the hired bartender gave us his attention immediately.

“Sir?”

I ordered our drinks and returned my focus to Leia. I’d just lifted my hand to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear when someone grabbed my hand right out of the air and pressed it to a pair of soft lips.

“Nicolas!” A familiar voice caressed my name, and I gritted my teeth as I turned to my left.

“Aurelia. Nice to see you.” Except it wasn’t. It never was.

She stood to the side of me and ran her fingers down the lapel of my jacket like she was straightening my clothing for me. Her touch was possessive and unwanted.

“I’ve missed you,” she purred, and Leia took a step back. Aurelia leaned forward, her lips nearly touching my ear as she spoke. “I’m still waiting for my proposal, Nicky.” She flicked out her tongue and swiped it over my skin. “You know I’m destined to be your queen.”

I closed my eyes briefly so Aurelia wouldn’t see my irritation there. She’d always been a gold digger, desperate for my family’s money and prestige, desperate to be my queen. But she didn’t fulfill any of the criteria to allow me to secure my place on the throne, and there was nothing captivating about her.

My gaze slid to Leia, drawing Aurelia’s attention there, too. Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared, and she stepped toward my mate. Aurelia opened her mouth as she prepared to snarl, but I spun her back around before she could bare her fangs.

“Raylie, calm yourself,” I growled. Then I looked at Leia. “Wait here for me and don’t move.” I had to contain Aurelia’s threat before it got out of hand.

Leia parted her lips, but I turned away, my hand around Aurelia’s upper arm as I drew her to the other side of the room. I glanced back at Leia, and she was sipping her drink, her gaze darting around the room. No one else was near her, though, which was good.