Page 31 of Antiletum

“They do not. They were sealed shut hundreds of years ago. When shifter gifts were still called upon.”

Delaney pauses. Staring at me. “Why?”

“That was in the beginning days of control. It was discouraged, to be able to shift into our owls and leave The Citadel undocumented when theNocturnedisappeared. The newly formed Parliament wanted to keep tabs on what families held what abilities. Didn’t want them to escape into the wild. Nobility only left through the front door, and only if permitted.”

“I’ve never heard any of this before,” Delaney says quietly, facing the windows. Skeptical but not disregarding.

“It’s not only you,ocellus.Most people haven’t at this point. There’s more to the origins ofvinculumas wedding bands. Beyond the rings being non-removable in death.” Creeping up silently and without notice, I can nearly rest my chin on her shoulder while I lean down to whisper in her ear. Delaney can try, but she won’t get away from me so easily.

A brow arches, looking over her shoulder. Clearly interested. Our faces close. “Do tell, my Lord.”

“Careful. I could get entirely too used to hearing that from your mouth.”

Glorious red spreads across her cheeks further—like spilled red wine staining linen. How lucious. Instinctively, my thumb swipes across it, soaking her heat into my skin. Far too briefly—it nearly hurts.

I think about how my wife is bare under that dress. The matching panties are in my pocket, tucked right up against the tiny golden clasp that I usually keep close, like a trophy. Even though they aren’t used. Now that is a tragedy.

I can just imagine how I could force her against a wall; pin her arms above her head; trap her there while I spout my filth in her ear. Tell her all the things I’m going to do to her. Press my hard cock into her ass. Maybe wrap my hand around her tiny throat and squeeze. Tell her how she’s going to beg for it. How she’s going to be my dirty girl and like it. She would be so soaked it would run down her thighs, ready for me to clean up with my tongue.

Or maybe I’d ignore it. Leave her aching. Wanting so badly maybe she’d cry.

Yes. Instead, I’d lick her tears off her face and leave her desire dripping down her legs until she’s desperate. Hysterical. Mad.

Focus.

Clearing my throat and trying to ignore the thickening of my cock, I say, “Vinculumwas used because even during a shift, one would not lose their marriage tokens in their animal form. Theirvinculumwould simply be tucked away under skin and feathers, ready to resume its rightful place on human-form fingers.”

“Before shifter gifts phased out of existence,” Delaney replies innocently.

My left eye twitches. Just barely. “Something like that.”

Don’t come on too strong,Mallin’s wisdom rings through my mind.Talk to her civilly, in a setting that’s comfortable to her. With agentletone.

Hence thespirlinary. Surrounded by the topic we need to discuss. In a place where Delaney is comfortable.

Despite her magic being out, she still sought the sanctuary at the manor. Often alone. A choice all her own, the poison of her parents deeply ingrained.

“It all sounds very romantic, if what you say is true.”

“Yes, it is,” I say. “And of course it’s true. As we already discussed, owls choose their partner, and then are pair-bonded for life. Our owl shifter ancestors were no different. The sanctity of our marriages is the epitome of romance and devotion.”

She smiles at me fondly, pleased, and I melt in my boots. “Yousound like a romantic.”

“And you sound surprised.”

“Watching people while they sleep and choosing their underwear isn’t exactly romantic.”

“Grand gestures are subjective.”

She laughs loud, the sound echoing around me. “Are they?” she challenges with a broad grin.

“Absolutely. What would you consider romantic?”

Give me something. Tell me what to do.My desperate thoughts are so loud in my head, I’m certain she hears them. But instead of answering, she just narrows her gaze, silently challenging me to find out on my own.

Anddeos, do I plan to.

Confide in her, Mallin’s voice echoes.I know you love your dark, mysterious facade like it’s your first born. But why would your wife open up to you if you don’t do the samefor her?