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I shrugged. “Anton already warned me of it. His father will ensure my safety.”
“He will do no such thing,” Ravik snarled, his grip tightening around me.
My eyes widened, and my heart sank.
“You would deny me entry to your world?” I asked, my eyes flicking between his.
“While wisdom dictates that I should forbid you access for your own safety, I will not. However, no other man but me will give you his protection. It will be my shield over you; no one else’s.”
My stomach flip-flopped at his commanding tone—and the almost vicious look in his eyes—as he dared me to challenge his statement.
“Someone is possessive,” I whispered.
Ravik’s hand under the edge of my dress caressed me from the side of my breast to the curve of my bum, this time with zero effort at subtlety.
“I also do not play,” he said, his voice between a promise and a threat.
The music ended, and I almost whimpered when he released me, wishing to remain in his embrace a while longer. I hated feeling so needy and chose not to throw myself further at him by asking for a second dance. I shivered. My skin, where his burning hands had held me, suddenly felt cold. Ravik’s palm found its way to my hip as he guided me back to Anton’s private booth. Although I appreciated the feel of his hand on me again, it was on my bare skin that I wanted it.
We resumed our seats, joined shortly thereafter by Anton and Grace. As soon as he settled next to me, Ravik placed a possessive hand on my thigh left exposed by my short skirt. Although tanned, his skin almost looked white against mine which was quite a few shades darker. I stared at it before looking up at him. He held my gaze, daring me to challenge his claim. Without missing a beat, I responded by placing my own on his thigh. He snorted, then inclined his head in agreement.
Sensing our hosts watching us, I peered at them. Grace stared with undisguised curiosity and excitement. Anton observed us with a somewhat troubled expression. It didn’t take a genius to guess he felt uncertain of the wisdom regarding any involvement between the Magnar and me. I shared those concerns. And yet…
“I never knew you were such a good dancer, Ravik,” Grace said, leaning against her husband. “I’ll have to tell Naya. She’ll demand a dance with her ‘Maga Ravi’ before you leave.”
“You will do no such thing,” Ravik said with a falsely threatening expression.
Anton chuckled, his fingers fiddling with his wife’s hair. “Our daughter is quite looking forward to seeing you in the morning. She says you and my father give the best pony rides.”
Picturing Grace’s and Anton’s three-year old daughter hanging on to Ravik’s forehead as he horsed around the living room under her peals of laughter had me chuckling as well. He glared at Anton and then at me. That made me chuckle even more. I could totally hear Naya with her baby voice calling him Maga Ravi. The three children were spending the night at their Uncle Marcus’ place to give their parents the freedom to entertain us and would return in the morning.
Ravik opened his mouth to respond but abruptly stopped as one of his bodyguards seemed to appear out of thin air. He obviously hadn’t, but I’d been too intent on the Magnar to notice his approach.
“A word, if you please,” the bodyguard said.
Ravik excused himself and followed his guard to a room at the back of the restaurant. My gaze followed them until they fell out of sight. Turning back to my hosts, I gave them a curious look. Grace’s shoulders sagged, and her lips pursed into the loveliest pout.
“I bet he’s leaving,” she said.
“Leaving?” I asked.
“For Tagar to interrupt Ravik’s leisure time, something serious must be happening on Braxia.”
I frowned and cast a worried glance towards the still closed door.
“Ravena,” Anton said, making me turn back to him. “You should know that Ravik has demanded the privilege of ensuring your protection.”
I nodded. “Yes. He told me as much in no uncertain terms,” I said in a teasing tone.
Anton’s serious expression sobered me.
“Then I would request you do the same for him,” he said, making me recoil in surprise. “The attraction between you two is plain to see. They will try to use you to hurt him. I respect your wish for independence, but please do not make yourself a target.”
I wanted to bristle at the comment, but something in his demeanor made me realize he genuinely feared for Ravik… and for me.
“Are things that bad?” I asked.
“Yes. Worse, even, than anything I could describe,” Anton said, running a hand through his hair. “A third of the population is unemployed and starving. Braxians are proud. Most refuse the relief efforts Ravik has set up to support them until their clans can bounce back. Aside from battle, too large a proportion of Braxians have no trade or technical skills. They have little to no resources worth trading, and among the few who do, many have lost everything because of stupid vendettas over bruised honor.”
