Page 74 of Sky’s Edge

“Daddy, chill,” I said gently. “He’s been with me. He can’t have learned anything new.”

It was like I didn’t speak.

Because Dad threatened Tanyn with, “You are aware that if this threat is not neutralized, promptly, I’m reneging on the marriage contract.”

I stiffened.

Mom stiffened beside me.

And we did because the heat that started pouring off Tanyn was immense.

I was about to let her go to try to soothe him, but he spoke before I could even begin to do that.

“The compatibility trial was successful, so you have no standing to break the contract,” Tanyn growled.

And oh yes.

His eyes were burning red and locked on my dad.

“I’ll find standing,” Dad retorted (mm-hmm, he had red eyes too).

“And I’ll drag you so deeply through the magisterial system of Sky’s Edge, you’ll use every last Truelock mark to fight that battle, and you’ll still lose,” Tanyn shot back.

“The contract was signed in Night’s Fall.”

“A realm that does not support marriage contracts, which is why there’s a clause that states any arbitration or litigation will happen in Sky’s Edge,” Tanyn returned.

Oh boy.

Stymied, Dad seethed silently.

“Now,” Tanyn began a lot more calmly, “would you like to spend time with your daughter? Or would you like to go with me to find out if there’s anything new to learn?”

Dad glanced at me then grunted, “You,” to Tanyn.

“Let’s go,” Tanyn said, but came to me, caught my jaw in both hands, tipped my head back and dipped his to brush his lips against mine (I really shouldn’t have opened the door to touch, because even in the current situation, that felt too good). When he was done doing that, he said, “I’ll send Jorda to you. Anything you need, she’ll see to it.”

Considering all that was going on, I decided not to argue or, say, share what I needed was to get dressed and go to work…in Night’s Fall.

I just took his hands on my jaw with me as I nodded.

He let me go and strode out.

After stopping briefly to plant a kiss on my cheek, Dad followed him.

I turned and looked at Mom.

She forced a bright expression on her face and asked with fake excitement, “So, how did the trial go? Tell me all about it!”

For a second, I just stared at her beloved face.

Then I burst out laughing.

This wasn’t amused laughter.

Oh no.

I was laughing hysterically.