Page 77 of First Offense

“I thought it was some sort of prank or a trick of the light,” I continued, realizing how naïve I’d been. “Then one day they just changed completely. I didn’t even realize it until you saw me and…” I trailed off as my heart twisted.

I’d been so excited to see him at my doorstep.

Then everything had gone to hell. And his eyes… Oh, Nora, his eyes had radiated such hatred and disgust that I’d felt my chest crack beneath the pressure of his glare.

Only, he wasn’t looking at me like that now.

No, he was watching me with interest and listening to me for what felt like the first time.

What had changed? Why did he suddenly care again?

“So it was gradual,” Auric said, glancing at Novak. “But your feathers turned black all at once.”

Novak nodded, confirming his statement.

“Hmm,” Auric hummed, his hand dropping to the bed as he captured my gaze once more. “What were you doing before the tips changed?”

“Preparing for my courtship season.” I hadn’t enjoyed it. None of the Nora from the dukedom smelled right to me, yet I had no choice but to let them court me. Yet all the while, I knew it would be my father who would choose for me. I’d tried to maintain a positive outlook, to do as he requested, but it hadn’t been easy. Not when I knew what a potential mate should smell like.

Because of Auric.

And now Novak.

“Did you fuck any of the suitors?” Novak asked, his blunt question making me blush and Auric growl.

“Of course not,” I managed to reply before quickly finishing my drink. Auric held out his hand for my glass, then set it on the table beside the bed. He’d placed his there as well. “I didn’t touch any of them,” I added, just in case they wanted to explore other avenues of questioning. “Not even a kiss.”

“So that’s obviously not it.” Auric sounded so certain and superior that I couldn’t help rolling my eyes.

“It’s not like sex is a sin,” I muttered. “If it were, I would have Fallen a long time ago.”

Auric froze. “Whatdid you just say?”

Novak chuckled. “Sweet, but not innocent.”

“Stay the fuck out of this,” Auric hissed.

Novak merely smirked.

The two of them locked gazes, their aggression enhancing their scents and filling my nostrils with an intoxicating mix of leather and evergreen andman.

I swallowed. Maybe sharing this bed was a bad idea. But I couldn’t seem to force myself to inch backward to the floor. Instead, I was trapped between them, feeling the heat of their bodies as they engaged in some sort of primitive conversation.

Goading Auric had been a bad idea. But he couldn’t possibly think I’d remained untouched all these years, right? I was twenty-one. I had needs, too. Just like him.

Which I was so not going to think about right now, or I’d start envisioning that shower scene from the other day.

Clearing my throat, I attempted to return to the conversation at hand. “I did make a point to avoid some of them. It ruffled some feathers, but surely that’s not enough to Fall.”

The two males slowly refocused on me. Then Novak said, “Unless you violated a direct order.”

Auric frowned.

I almost said that didn’t make sense, except it did in a strange way.

Technically, the Nora laws—which my father created hundreds of years ago—demanded that I mate within my station.

That decree also mandated a courtship of entertaining appropriate suitors. And while I’d initially participated—until I was taken to Noir Reformatory—I hadn’t given all of my heart to the activities.