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“What did I say would happen if you spoke of leaving?”
He stepped forward and I remained rooted, needing to get this off my chest. “You love her … you’re in love with Kree. If Father hadn’t brought me here, you would never have known I was your mate. You would have had a chance. She’s a kind female and—”
“I don’t love her.”
My skin buzzed.
“Careful,” I warned, “that was dangerously close to an untruth.”
He took another step. “Then hear this, Little Bird. I am notinlove with Kree. I’m just not. What’s your lie detector say about that?”
“But—”
“No buts. She and I are not in love.”
“But you’re something of that nature, aren’t you?” I mocked.
“No, we’re not.”
His words were truthful. Still, I had trouble trusting them. I knew I was being irrationally territorial, sickened with jealousy, but I wasn’t blind.
“Were you, though? At one time?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters. How would you handle being around me and a male I’ve been in love with for who knows how long?”
His irises blackened, bleeding into the sclera. A slight tremor took over his limbs. I took a step back, half-ashamed of the little thrill zipping up and down my spine.
“You believe yourself to be in love with another?” Casimir’s voice came out layered, though the tone was unnervingly calm.
Stand strong, Raven.
“This isn’t about me.”
He took another step, only a foot of space between us now.
“Answer me,” he said between clenched teeth.
“No, I don’t think I will,” I responded. I wasn’t afraid of Casimir, only of caving to his irrational alphaness.
Regardless of the insane witch inside me loving every minute of poking at the demon, I wasn’t trying to toy with his emotions. I needed to continue to set the precedent I would never roll over simply because he demanded it of me. Watching him become unhinged made me feel better about my own reaction, which wasn’t exactly a good thing.
“Raven,” he exhaled on his next breath.
My arms crossed. “No.”
Shadows suddenly burst forth from his body. They twisted and twirled, flying around and between us. Tiny currents of power leapt from my skin to touch the snake-like phantoms. I was shocked to feel their solidness, like they were actual appendages.
Casimir lifted his face and released a single anguished note into the forest. Holding it for long seconds, the enchanted sound settled over us like a warm blanket. My skin immediately felt less taut, my jaw relaxed. Both our heartbeats returned to normal paces.
As his head fell forward, I caught Casimir’s pained look of misery. Both hands slid to the back of his head, locking fingers. Moments slid by before he finally looked up. His eyes were fading back to normal.
“I apologize,” he said.
“It worked, though. Singing that note calmed us both. Maybe it’s a more handy talent than you realize.”
“No,” his head shook. “Not for the sound. I’m sorry for going full demon on you.”
