Page 157 of Savage Empire

Flushed, I whisper, “It’s entirely indecent.”

“The faster we look ravenous, the faster we can get out of here.”

I can’t deny that I like the sound of that.

“Feeling needy already, are we?” I tease. “I didn’t know that I signed up for such a clingy husband. I don’t know how I feel about that.”

“You love it,” he declares, unaffected by my taunt.

“I was wondering when I would run into the happy couple.”

Apollo freezes at the sound of the voice. Taking in a measured breath, he sets me down and I find him staring at a man. There’s no malice in his gaze, but no kindness either. It’s the way I might imagine he would look at someone he can’t read. It’s assessing, and almost threatening in a quiet way.

“William.”

“Apollo.”

My eyes bounce between the two men wondering why the heck there’s so much tension brewing.

“I’m Rayna,” I say, extending my hand. “How do you know my husband?”

William, whoever he is, opts to kiss the back of my knuckles rather than shake my hand, like he’s some kind of gentleman in an old movie.

“William Sallow,” he returns, letting go of my hand. “Apollo and I go way back, isn’t that right, old friend?”

“We went to Empire Academy together,” Apollo replies dismissively. “Though, you can’t really call ittogethersince Will here owns the place. He was more of a professor than a peer.”

“If you heard yourself say that fifteen years ago, you would kick your own ass,” William jokes, cracking a smile that has his white teeth flashing. “You’d never have given me such a prestigious title willingly.”

“Well, ‘Lord’was given to you at birth, I sincerely doubt you need another title on top of that one.”

A slow grin spreads on his lips. “Touché.”

“I can’t tell if you’re friends or not,” I admit, biting my lip.

Will chuckles, his short brown hair swaying as he rakes a hand through it. “Neither can I, Mrs. Moretti, neither can I. Things have never been clear where Apollo is concerned. He likes to keep his cards held close to his chest. Though, I suppose those days are over. He’s a married man now.”

“Yes,” Apollo says roughly. “I am.”

I swear something like hurt flashes behind the mysterious man’s dark eyes. “Well, don’t let me keep you. I wish you all the best, old friend.”

“Goodbye.” There’s no fondness in Apollo’s response.

“Bye,” I add, waving awkwardly.

William leaves us, and from the path he’s taking, I think he’s leaving the reception all together.

“Okay. That was odd, right?” I ask, eyebrows drawn down tight in contemplation. “Was there something between the two of you that I should know about?” I feel oddly like I just met someone important, though Apollo seems to think otherwise.

“Ancient history,” he assures me, sounding perfectly sincere. “Will wanted something from me that I didn’t want to give. We’re not friends, and we’re not allies. But we aren’t enemies either. Cooperation between our families is standard.”

“He liked you?” I ask, voice soft.

“He liked the idea of me,” Apollo corrects, his crystal blue eyes full of truth. “The Lord of Empire Academy enjoyscollecting powerful things, and he assumed I wouldn’t mind being collected. He assumed wrong.”

“It sounds complicated.”

“For him, perhaps.” My husband shrugs. “In the spirit of going into our marriage with complete honesty, I’ll be blunt. I have a romantic history with no one, male or female. I’m attracted to women as a species, but you’re the only one who will ever have the right to call yourself mine. And to call meyours. I don’t have a history outside of you.”