I lost hold of the last shreds of patience keeping me together. One moment she was defying me across the room, and the next, I was only a few inches from her. “I will never tether you,” I snarled. Her eyes widened, and I knew I was scaring her. Good, maybe she’d finally hear me. “I will never watch someone else I love be bound like that.”
Her lower lip trembled as she processed this, and then she asked the obvious question. “What do you mean by someone else?”
I saw the woman running down the steps at the opera in my mind. I closed my eyes. “My sister,” I said softly. “Camila was tethered to her husband. It ended…poorly.”
She stayed quiet this time. Revealing this seemed to snuff out her argument. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I think maybe I need a minute alone.”
“I understand,” I said stiffly. I strode into the bathroom and grabbed a robe. “I’ll be elsewhere.”
Thea didn’t look at me as I slipped it on and started toward the door. I only made it a few steps before I returned back to her. Propping her chin on my index finger, I studied her for a moment. “We will find a way.”
“I really want to believe you.” She tried to smile, but it came out tortured.
I brushed my thumb over her lower lip. “I’ll find some wine. Maybe something to eat.”
She nodded but refused to look at me.
To leave her there was more painful than any of the wounds I endured on battlefields over the centuries–and I’d taken more than a few that would have killed a human. Everything was changing. I felt it in bed. The mating bond had tried to snap into place. It tried even as I held her hands. But I’d resisted. My punishment was feeling like I’d been ripped in two. I closed the door to the bedroom and then worked my way toward the stairs. The farther I got from her, the easier it became to rationalize my decision. When I reached the final step, I was sure I’d done the right thing. But before I could continue to the kitchen, the doorbell rang.
Hughes appeared as if summoned. He stopped when he spotted me in my silk dressing robe.
“Perhaps I should get the door?” he suggested.
“I agree.”
He nodded and proceeded to the front door as the bell rang again. Whoever it was needed a healthy dose of patience shot up their…
When Hughes opened the door and greeted my guests, I stopped on the spot.
My mother, still wearing her blood-stained ball gown, stood there, surrounded by the other members of the Vampire Council. She caught sight of me in the entry, and her eyes narrowed at my state of undress.
I wished more than ever that I had some of Benedict’s people skills. As it was, I frowned. Tying my robe tighter, I padded toward them with bare feet.
“Shall I show them in, sir?” Hughes asked me quietly as I reached him.
“I’ll handle this,” I told him. “Why don’t you find us a bottle of wine? Actually, find us a couple.” I waited until Hughes was gone before I gestured for them to enter. “Come in. I assume you’re here to speak with me.”
“Indeed,” one of the ancient vampires said solemnly. He looked me up and down. “That is, if you aren’t currently occupied.”
“I’m not.” I’d been sent away…by my mate. My mate who refused to see reason. My mate who felt rejected.
I started toward the attached sitting room, but my mother cleared her throat. “Perhaps somewhere more private?”
I led them to the formal sitting room and closed the doors behind us. Gesturing for them to sit, I remained standing. The last thing I wanted was for any of them to get comfortable here. “Is this about what happened this evening?”
“Yes and no,” one of the Council members said cryptically.
“Thanks for clearing that up.” I sauntered to the bar cart and poured myself some of the Scotch my brothers had left me.
“This is about the Rites,” my mother said carefully.
Of course. I took a lingering sip of my drink before turning to her. “Already? You’ve only had one so far.”
Her eyes flashed murderously as I revealed that I knew what had happened the night of the Salon du Rouge.
“As you know, the Rites are enacted for the betterment of our species and the strengthening of our alliances with the magical community,” an old vampire with a nose like a pointed stake said.
“Yes, I know what they are,” I said impatiently. “Are you planning to go to every eligible vampire’s house tonight and give them a lecture?”
I looked to my mother to see if I was on track, but she had turned away, veiling her face in shadows. A moment later, I understood why. She’d known why they were here.
“That won’t be necessary,” the Council member said. “You are the only one acting in defiance of the law.”
“Law?” I nearly choked on my Scotch. “When did the Rites become law?”
“An hour ago,” she said coldly.
My fingers tightened around my glass. I barely processed it when it shattered in my hand. I was too busy processing what she said next.
“And we are here to deliver your final warning.”
CHAPTER FIFTY
THEA
It took me a few moments to collect myself before I realized I wouldn’t get anywhere by pushing him away. Yes, his plan was stupid. No, I would not sleep with someone else just to clear the way for us to be together. I had no idea where that left us, but we wouldn’t get anywhere unless we faced our problems together.
I went to the closet and got dressed in case the bell I’d heard earlier meant guests had arrived. The last thing I needed was to walk into a roomful of vampires half-naked. I pulled on a pair of the designer jeans Jacqueline had picked out and then found a soft cashmere sweater. Slipping on a pair of velvet flats, I made it nearly out of the bedroom when I heard the alert on my phone.
