Page 37 of Third Offense

Like Ketos, I’d chosen to keep my wings free.No elixir for me, thank you very fucking much. However, Auric and Layla had chosen to blend in with the others.

Not that it made much of a difference. The chairs were all designed for wings. As was the entire palace.

However, now that they knew how to break through the elixir, they seemed more comfortable with it.

But not me.

Not ever me.

My wings were part of me. Forever and always.

I didn’t want to play human. I was an angel for a reason. But these Noir… I wasn’t so sure what they were. Nothing about this wasnormal.

What the fuck is even happening?I mused, confused as hell by the change in scenery. It was giving me severe whiplash.I don’t do suits or fancy cutlery. I don’t indulge in feasts of whatever the fuck this is. I’veneverdesired a place in the court.

That was all Auric.

And apparently Ketos.

I swallowed a snarl as I caught thePrinceogling the neckline of my mate’s silky dress. I should have put a sweater on her. Or a cape. Or one of those puffy white coats that made her look like a cotton ball.

Ugh, not that it would have helped. Layla was stunning in all forms, her scent a fragrance that overrode reason entirely.

I would always want her.

Which meant I couldn’t exactly blame Ketos for reacting to her.

But if he so much as touches her, I’m cutting off his hand.

Zian cleared his throat, drawing my focus to him and his arched brow. Obviously, he could sense my unease. Which meant Auric and Layla could, too.

I just shook my head and picked up the damn soup spoon before I lost my shit in front of this entire dinner party and gave the Noir against the wall a reason to react.

Suppressing another growl, I finally tasted theminestrone.

The explosion of spices and flavor pleased my senses, making me understand why the others had given in so quickly.

My stomach roared with approval, demanding that I empty my bowl immediately, but I put my spoon down as I savored the bite.

I wouldn’t be lost to my meal like everyone else. I intended to stay fully aware, no matter how strong my hunger pains might be.

Every shift and flicker at this fucking table would be seared in my memory. Every movement. Every guard. Everylook.

I didn’t trust this place or its inhabitants. It just didn’t feel right.

But to keep up appearances, I picked up my spoon again and swallowed another bite.

The conversation hummed on, but I wasn’t listening to the words. Words weren’t important.

They rarely were.

Except for those beautiful words I’d heard from my mate, little else in the verbal realm could interest me right now.

Auric mimicked a warrior’s alertness as he likewise quietly surveyed the room.

Noir servants.

Ten.