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They lead me down several blocks and into a pub. Tables fill the space with a bar along the entire back wall. Sconces burn every few feet along the wall with a large fireplace also helping to light the dim room. Altis and Vynia are waiting for us at a table in the far corner. They look up at the same as we all take a seat.

“Las isn’t here yet,” Altis says.

A female with long silver hair and a dress that leaves little to the imagination walks over to the table. “What can I get for you, Lord Asteran?” Her voice is throaty and smooth as she smirks at him. I don’t have to be Zeahirian to understand the invitation in her eyes.

It makes me irrationally upset.

Instead of paying any attention to how the conversation between them evolves, I turn to Vynia. She’s also wearing a dress. The neckline drops deeply down her chest. The deep blue fabric looks incredible against the pale gray skin of her chest and neck.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her.

“Thank you. Las has a thing for females who show a lot of skin. We thought it might help tempt him into taking on this job if I lean into traditional feminine fashion.”

I look around the room and see that it’s mostly men sitting around the tables but, of the females in the room, many are dressed similarly. And they’re all so gorgeous. Tall and slender, with toned muscles like human ballet dancers.

I rarely feel insecure about the way that I look, it’s honestly not something I grew up being aware of on Oculus Nine. But right now, comparing my shorter, softer body to the Zeahirian females, I feel like an ugly creature. My stomach is rounded and soft, my hips and ass as well. And my breasts, ugh. They’re annoyingly heavy and full. It’s probably a good thing I’m fully covered.

“And what would your pet like?” The purred words from the female taking Raiz’s order draw my attention.

“Myguestwill have the same thing I’m having.” His answer is clipped and sharp, a verbal rebuke of her rudeness.

I wait until she slinks off to say anything. “Your pet, huh? Should I roll over and let you pet my belly?”

He’s pulled the hood of his cloak back, his silvery white hair gleaming in the light from the sconce behind him. He leans over to say something, devilish intent obvious in his eyes. My heart races in my chest as his gaze zeros in on my lips.

“Just ignore the female, Neev,” Altis says, jarring us out of our standoff. “She’s jealous of you, especially when you’re covered in Raiz’s scent.”

I lower my head and sniff. I smell like him a little, but nothing that I would say was overpowering. Not as strongly as he smells when he marks me.

“Really? I only faintly smell him on myself now.”

“That’s because you’re not Zeahirian. If our relationship with him wasn’t as strong it is, we wouldn’t be able to even look at you for long.” Hyva motions around the pub. “Do you notice how all the males are careful to look away from you? It’s because he’s ‘claimed’ you, and as the dominant male here, no one will challenge him.”

“What if they did?” I ask, fully curious about this aspect of their culture.

“Then I would kill them.” Raiz taps his fingers on the table quietly.

“No, you wouldn’t.” I gape at him. “It’s just pretend.”

“Nothing about my desire to keep you safe is pretend.”

That shouldn’t turn me on. When Torre used to get overprotective of me, I’d get so pissed. Never once did any of her actions make me flush with need. I don’t even know if this is a reciprocated feeling.

CHAPTER15

RAIZ

* * *

Ican just barely make out Neev’s violet eyes beneath her hood. I’m so glad she chose to wear what she did because if I had to watch any of the males lust after her the way they are the other females in the room, I’d lose my mind. As it is, my thrumming is so loud I’m shocked that no one hears it.

Maybe they do, and they’re just too considerate to say anything.

You need to get yourself under control before Las shows up.Hyva says into my mind.If he hears the thrumming and puts together how important she is to you, it’ll put her in danger.

As if I don’t know that already.I know.And had I known that her presence with us would send my protective need into overdrive I would have had her stay back. Probably with Hyva, so he could have kept her busy.

I just couldn’t stomach the thought of being away from her another night, making her stay exiled on my estate like some prisoner isn’t what I want. Not that I have a clear idea of what I actually want.