I shrugged. I didn’t have many tailored suits, and ties were never my thing. I looked fine in my simple navy blue suit with gold trimmings and hoped I was not impacting her look with my own understated attire. “Maybe I should have gotten a purple suit.”
She chuckled. “We don’t need to match.”
“Then how will people know you’re mine and I’m yours? They can’t even see the marks you gave me. What if other women are inappropriate with me?”
She narrowed her eyes and tightened the tie, constricting my air. My eyes bulged as she gritted her teeth. “If another woman gets inappropriate with you, I will remove your balls.”
I shouldn’t have enjoyed that threat so much, but it did make the pit of my stomach heat. “Why must I get disfigured for the behaviors of others? Although I think I like possessive Jalisa.”
She loosened my tie. “Oh, don’t let this get to your head. It’s a matter of respect. No one should be confused if you keep your ring on.”
I took her hand and kissed it. “I’d walk around with my shirt off so everyone could see my bites. The only woman I want to be inappropriate with me is you.”
“I really wish you’d let me heal those bites. I’m so sorry about them.”
I placed my hand on her lower back, pulling her to me. Then, without pausing, I pressed my lips to hers, taking in her sweet taste. I wasn’t sure there’d ever be a time I would tire of her. “I should get these markings tattooed.”
She pushed against my chest but not with much strength. “Please don’t. Just be normal tonight.”
I scrunched my face. “Normal? What’s that? I know not of the word.”
She plucked me on the arm, a slight smile on her lips. “Just watch what you say. As long as you stick with me or Aaron, I won’t worry.”
Still holding onto her, I forced myself to be serious for just a second. “I think, after this ball, we should go on a little trip.”
She eyed me suspiciously, ever the smart one. “Why?”
Because I love you and I want to take you on what Lila called a honeymoon. Where newlyweds went somewhere nice to have sex, drink, eat, and relax, repetitively.That’s what I wanted to say, but I knew despite our progress, it was wise to take small steps with Jalisa. “Because I need to find a way to fix my head.” I tapped my skull with my knuckles. “The healers can’t fix me here, but maybe another part of the realm or even the human realm could. Although I doubt humans, even witches, are more powerful than us.”
She touched my cheek, a look of concern in her eyes. “Alright, but we have to be thoughtful about where we go because the court will be suspicious if we’re gone too long, and we have to think of our families.”
I sighed, dropping my hands. “Ah, fuck the court.”
“Ok, honey, but also, let’s not say that out loud again.”
“Well then fuck whoever laid that ward.”
“NowthatI can get behind. We need to be on high alert tonight. So no getting drunk.”
I lifted a shoulder. “Maybe a little drunk.”
She rolled her eyes. “What is a little drunk?”
“Like slightly tipsy but you remember the events of the night before. I think that’s the sweet spot.”
She patted my shoulder and turned away. “Ok, fine. Someone’s trying to kill us, and the court is suspicious of our marriage, and you want to get tipsy. I guess I’ll be on high alert on my own tonight. You are a man-child.”
I followed her to the door. “I’m joking, love.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“That would be wise.”
***
The ball was bullshit. I loved a good party, but this stuffy affair was hardly my idea of a good time. It was just a bunch of snooty, high society fuckers judging others and engaging in one-upmanship. Not to mention I was so paranoid about someone trying to murder us in some creative way, I couldn’t even drink like I wanted to.
We were in a large room, with shiny white floors and walls that looked as if they were painted in gold with extravagant crown molding. Velvet black curtains hung over floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides. A band played music on a stage near the back of the space, across from the entrance, and circular tables covered in golden cloth with black suede chairs were scattered about the perimeter. Many attendees were spread throughout the room with some dancing closer to the band. In between the crowd, were servers with trays of small bites and drinks. Off to the left center sat the king and queen in grand golden thrones. A long line of fae waited to speak to them. There were so many people, it was hard to keep an eye out for possible attackers.
