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I’m sure I have a heaping amount of work waiting for me, but anything urgent will have been taken care of.

Loud chatter fills my ears as I near my wing. It’s a comforting sound.

Jassy’s sitting behind her desk, her lips pursed as she glares at the plant on her right. She’s deep in thought, and it takes her several seconds to notice I’m standing before her.

“Cassia!” She jumps up the second she spots me. Her glare is gone, replaced with a wide smile. “You’re back. Welcome! We missed you.”

She’s blowing smoke up my ass, but I don’t mind it.

“It’s good to be back,” I say. “I need a few hours to get up to speed, but let’s plan to debrief after lunch.”

Jassy nods, the woman always two steps ahead of me. I bet she’s already prepared a presentation on everything I’ve missed these past few days. She loves doing things like that.

I tap my fingers against my thighs. “Can you have Rexton’s belongings packed and moved to my apartment today? The large furniture, like his bed, living room setup, and dining table can be left behind.”

I don’t need to elaborate that I don’t actually want his things movedinsidemy apartment. Jassy knows of my aversions, and she’ll ensure Rexton’s belongings are placed outside the front door. I’ll carry them inside this evening.

“Yes.” Jassy opens and shuts her mouth. “I can do that.”

I crack a smile. She has questions. Jassy knows everything, and I’m sure she’s heard whispers about Rexton and me. I’m trying my best to ignore the fact that he asked her on a date. Jassy is beautiful and intelligent. If I were attracted to women, there’s a strong likelihood I would’ve eventually made a move.

Still, I don’t love that Rexton did so.

I’m choosing to put that behind me, though. Poaching Jassy from Aziel was the best decision I’ve ever made, and nothing happened between her and Rexton.

He asked, as I suppose was his right, and she turned him down. I like to think she did it because of me, because she knew of my dislike for him and didn’t want to risk potentially tainting our relationship.

Jassy clears her throat, her gaze traveling to my neck.

I smirk, letting her get her fill. I’m pleased with the marks. Mate bites mean everything to demons, and I have no interest in hiding mine.

“So it’s true, then?” she eventually asks. “You and Rexton are mated?”

“Yes.”

“That’s big.” Jassy’s smile grows. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you.” I turn, eyeing my shut office door. “How much work is waiting for me?”

“A lot.”

“Wonderful.”

I head into my office. My meetings were indefinitely postponed while I was at the war camp, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of hours before news spreads that I’m back and my calendar fills.

I sink into my chair with a quiet sigh, then dive in. Rexton and I are meeting for lunch in only a few hours, and I hope to have a productive morning.

It’s hard. My mind continually travels to Prince Nolic, the ambush, the scent of dead soldiers on the mountain, and Rexton. All four topics are weighing heavily on me, and they’re damn near impossible to ignore.

Prince Nolic is somewhere out there, most likely within Wrath. I’ve never met him, but I’ve seen images of his person. Still, I’m not entirely sure I could pick him out of a lineup. If he’s hiding his power as I did while inside Greed, it would be easy for him to blend in.

His large army is still lingering near Wrath, probably awaiting orders to attack. It could happen at any moment, but I have to trust that the generals have everything under control. They’re capable, and they’re experienced. If Greed attacks, Wrath is ready.

I limp through the morning, getting just enough done to make a dent but not enough to feel productive. By the time lunch rolls around, I’m suspiciously giddy. It’s not an emotion I’m familiar with, and I do my best to hold it in as I head toward Rexton’s office.

I’m early, but I’m antsy to see him. He should feel complimented.

Aziel’s office door is cracked. I begin to peek inside to greet him, but I abandon that plan when I hear Uncle Chev’s voice. The shifter sounds chatty, and I don’t have time for that. I doubt Aziel does, either, given everything with Prince Nolic, but Uncle Chev isn’t known for good timing.