21
WHAT IS SHE DOING?
HENRY
“D o I even dare ask?” Ryan asks, swirling the amber whisky around his glass.
“We’re fine.”
Fine never means fine when it comes to women, and Ryan's aware I've been particularly irritable in the last week.
Things are tense. Not because of Ivy. The Blackthorn Coven isn't keeping their side of the agreement we brokered to keep Ivy safe. The truce won’t hold and they've interpreted my willingness to ignore this as a sign I either won’t defend my own or have grown reluctant.
I've given an inch and they’re trying to take a fucking mile.
Now, we're going to deal with it. The Blackthorn second's been fucking around, and Ryan and I have had enough. They’re sending an envoy to discuss the final points of contention. Knowing Rowan, he'll send a small party to try to catch us by surprise. He'll probably include himself. He's nothing if not predictable.
“We've made the right decision about Ivy,” Ryan says, trying to convince himself he's right. “She isn't ready to be there. It isn't fair. Rowan will accept she's unwell and we can offer him some sort of feast in his honor to introduce them. It'll flatter him.”
It will. But he's not an idiot. He'll recognize my reluctance to introduce my wife and Rowan will guess why.
“Let's keep her out of this as long as possible.”
I down my cognac as Ryan finishes his whisky. We walk towards the castle entrance, waiting in the entrance hall to receive our guests. It's fucking rich to call them that, but manners are manners and it’ll be easier if things run smoothly.
Then I can return to Ivy and rebuilding the trust between us. It isn't broken, but she's wary of me—and I fucking hate it. We were comfortable and relaxed. Now, we're tense and fueling each other's anxiety. We're in a vicious spiral and only she can break it.
The coven stands behind me and we wait, counting down the time until Rowan and his imbeciles arrive. They're obnoxious, arrogant and idiotic. The problem is they have numbers and strength. His coven is built on brute force and ignorance. Mine is smaller but more select. It's taken time but my coven is cunning, ruthless, and intelligent. I'm fucking proud and I won't let a cunt like Rowan destroy it.
The doors swing open and as expected, it's a small party. Slightly larger than a few but not so many as to appear rude. And as I predicted, Rowan's with them. He's dressed in a Saville Row suit as if that will impress me or anyone else here. He's irritated me and I haven't even spoken to him. That'll be his plan and I steal myself for the ramp-up in pressure as his behavior escalates.
“Henry,” he announces. “Always a pleasure.”
Cunt .
“Rowan,” I reply in a tone as treacly as his. “The feeling's mutual. Shall we get the boring bits over and move on to something more interesting?”
Rowan grins and I know that fucking sneer. He's got something up his sleeve. He's got a plan and he's about to set it in motion.
He claps his hands gleefully and steps forward. “Let's move to them now. I brought a priest. You know him.” He waits for the hooded figure to step forward. “He officiated at your wedding. To your human wife.”
Ryan snarls and steps to stand level with me, muscles poised to move with unrelenting force. He's sure as fuck not going to let a prick like Rowan insult my wife, even if he's not entirely comfortable with her. Matt's made more progress and Ryan's still got work to do, but he's reacting the way I'd expect him to. They way I'd react if someone insulted Matt.
“Of course,” I say through gritted teeth. “To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?”
“He was visiting my coven, bestowing blessings, and he mentioned your marriage. It's an unusual arrangement and apparently, you've made certain agreements. Our visit seemed an ideal and convenient opportunity for him to see how they’re going.”
Fuck.
He's here to check on Ivy. To make sure she's still willing. That was our agreement. I wouldn't turn her until she was ready and she had to be willing. I fooled him about her being ready for the wedding; now she isn't ready to face this.
He's determined to make sure I keep my agreement. The Brotherhood has little respect for humans, but they value marriage and the sacred bond created during the ceremony. They don't want it tainted by something as disgusting as human greed and were reluctant to take the risk that our wedding was a way for her to gain immortality. We agreed she'd be my wife first and pet second, respecting both the sanctity of marriage and the hierarchy they've established. Vampires first. Humans far beneath them.
“It’s simple to address,” Rowan continues, strolling towards me as he plays with his fingernails.
“I'm sure the Brotherhood can speak for themselves.”
The priest pulls back his hood and grins. “Delighted, Henry. The Brotherhood has always recognized your respect.” He brings his hands together. “And deference.”
I nod and bow slightly.
Rowan looks pissed.
The priest isn't an idiot and he knows he's being used. The Brotherhood hates it when their rules are broken, but they hate being manipulated more. Rowan's off to a bad start and his mistake could work in my favor.
“My wife is unwell. Humans are fragile and she's not up to today. I didn't wish to offend you, and I'd planned to arrange a feast in Rowan’s honor. Later. When she's recovered.”
When hell freezes over, you fucking cunt.
I'm not subjecting my wife to one of our events. She's too precious, too innocent. Too perfect. And she's mine.
“I see…” Rowan begins before the priest raises his hand to interrupt him.
“I need to see her, Henry,” he says. “We can excuse most lapses on account of her current condition. An agreement is an agreement and you gave me your word.”
Damn .
“She's in her room,” I say smoothly. “Perhaps you'd care to...”
“Oh, I can't miss this,” Rowan sneers. “I can't wait to meet the little human who's caught your eye. I'll accompany you.”
Like fuck he will. He's not going into Ivy's bedroom. That's hers. Her safe space. Her haven. He'll taint it with his presence and I won't allow it.
“Let's bring her down here,” the priest says, noticing the way I’ve become territorial. “I can see her with the coven. She ought to be comfortable with them by now.”
My eyes flick to my second and he knows the thoughts running through my head. This is a test. A dangerous one. She's not ready for it. I'm not ready for it.
“I'll fetch her,” Ryan says, turning around cooly. “It’ll take a bit of time if she’s the same as she was earlier.”
He's buying time to prep her. It won't be enough but it's better than none. Matt's with her and they’ll spend the next few minutes doing everything they can to prepare her for what comes next. If they're lucky and I'm clever, they'll have half an hour.
“Shall we then?” I ask, leading the priest and the cunts from Rowan's coven into the grand hall.
We sit and Rowan postures, reclining on one of the leather armchairs like he owns the fucking place. I ignore the shit out of the prick, talking with the priest as if nothing’s wrong. He steers the conversation to my wife and Rowan's far too fucking interested for my liking.
I've got to keep us talking to buy Ivy time, without giving anything away or making a bad situation worse. It's tricky and I need all my experience against the priest. He's far from stupid and I'm certain he's noticed my vagueness and general waffling, which is unusual for me. Especially around the Brotherhood .
“Women like to make an appearance, but this is a little much,” Rowan sighs, exasperated. “Is your pet going to grace us with her presence?”
“She's unwell. It’ll take time to look even close to presentable.”
Rowan rolls his eyes in irritation, but his point has landed with the priest. We're running out of time until Ivy faces a test she isn't ready for.
Gods, I should have prepared her better.
I should have protected her. I've failed her and she's only just started trusting me again. We've made progress, but this is too big a step for her. It'll make her more wary, more reluctant and it'll expose the problems between us. This is a disaster about to happen.
Ryan walks in and his eyes lock with mine. He's done all he can but he's worried. We know each other well enough to read each other precisely and he thinks we're about to incite a riot. Quite literally.
“Ivy's coming. She's no better than this morning. She won't be formally dressed.”
The priest nods and Rowan waves his hands dismissively. My heart would race if it could and I steel myself for what's to come. I'll try to protect her and guide her, but it probably won't save her from the cruelty of this moment. From the viciousness of Rowan and his coven.
I won't forgive him for this.
I’m going to make the cunt pay. Slowly. Painfully. Until every last ounce of agony’s been extracted and I’ve had my fucking fill.
Matt walks in, flanked by the vampires who were guarding Ivy's room. She's hidden in the middle, although Matt's frame alone is large enough to hide her little body. Her heart is racing and she reeks of anxiety. Matt grins and he's a fuck load more confident about this than I am.
“She's nervous,” he says in a tone suggesting amusement. “You can discuss that later.”
Rowan snorts and the priest leans forward. His eyes track Matt's movements and he's smart enough not to take his mannerisms at face value.
“You can come out,” the priest says. “We promise not to bite.”
Rowan and his coven laugh and mine remains absolutely silent. The kind of silence that screams we're far from fucking amused one of our own is being targeted. It’s the perfect response.
Ivy doesn't move.
Matt grins and puts his arms behind him. He's grabbing her and as much as I loathe the idea of him touching my mate, she needs reassurance I cannot provide right now.
The priest stands and he's getting annoyed. I can't wait any longer and I rise, trying to avoid the asshole ramping up the tension.
“Ivy?”
There's a beat of silence before she pops her head out from behind Matt. Her eyes are bright and when she meets my gaze, she grins.
I blink and tilt my head.
She blinks and tilts hers back.
Fuck me, we're playing .
I sigh. She grins.
I tilt my head. She mirrors me.
“We'll be waiting all day at this fucking rate,” Rowan hisses .
I curl my finger and she stares at me, flicking her eyes to my hand as it calls her to come to me. She's teasing me and the priest turns his head to me, uncertain if this is disobedience or a game I indulge.
“I'll start counting.”
She conceals a squeal as she breathes in and the whole fucking room hears it.
Ivy darts out from behind Matt and fidgets, nervously.
“What the fuck is she wearing?” Rowan snarls, getting up and joining the growing number of us standing and staring at my mate. She’s wearing leggings and a sweater, instead of the revealing or fancy formal attire he’d expected.
She’s fucking stunning.
Ryan steps between Ivy and the asshole. “Clothes, Rowan. I’d have thought with all your years of experience, you’d recognize them.”
Ivy smirks as she edges closer. Her eyes track me and I'm watching closely, but I'm also paying attention to the goddamn priest who's following every move we make.
“She’s reluctant,” Rowan muses, provoking an enraged snarl from me. “Or badly trained. Neither is excusable.”
Ryan takes another step and bristles. “Her manners aren't the only ones in question. You're a guest. Behave like one.”
Ivy's standing before the four of us and she's nervous. Fucking nervous. I would be in her position. She's a mouse walking towards four predators and all of us have our eyes on her. She's holding her own—if only just—and I’m fucking proud of how she's doing.
“Where's her collar?” Rowan barks.
“She doesn't wear one,” I reply dismissively as the priest's eyes snap to mine. “We agreed she was free to choose and she picked rings instead. For now. Until she's ready. ”
The priest doesn't like it.
He dislikes how I'm twisting our agreement and using his words against him. But he's got no fucking room to maneuver and there's nothing he can do about it.
Rowan's features darken and his teeth elongate. He's pissed this isn't going the way he planned, and he knows Ivy and I have had difficulties. A spy would make sense, given Ivy's escape, and we've got a traitor in our midst.
Fuck.
“Kneel.”
Rowan gives his command and I growl, caught off guard while I'm trying to think through what I’ve finally realized. The priest raises his hand and everyone freezes, silently watching Ivy. She should be on her knees by now, obeying the order her superior's given her—and instead, she's standing. Perfectly still. Unmoved.
Staring straight at me as if I'm the only thing in the room.
“I. SAID. KNEEL.”
Rowan's shouting and it makes no difference. The flames crack in the fireplace behind us, drowning out the silence, and Ivy doesn't flinch, still watching me. Still ignoring everyone and everything else.
“OBEY OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.”
The priest stares at my wife and then at me, then risks a glance at Rowan. The asshole is about to lose his shit over a human girl who is too weak to challenge him but refuses to obey him. She's not afraid. She isn't blinking. Her defiance is rare and spectacular, and she's making a vampire almost as old as me look pathetic.
“WHAT. IS. SHE. DOING?”
Rowan's voice reverberates around the hall and the only things that shudder are the paintings on the wall and the flowers in the vases.
“Waiting for her Master’s order. My wife doesn't obey you, Rowan. She knows her place. Fucking learn yours.”
I point at the ground before me and Ivy swallows as she walks forward, stopping on her mark. Her eyes meet mine and she knows. Ryan and Matt have told her. She’s prepped. She isn't showing signs of discomfort, but she's far from happy about this. If she does this, it'll be an act of trust I don't deserve. I'll find a way to make this up to her. Any way to make this right.
I run my knuckles down her cheek and she smiles. It's comforting and I'm sure we’ll be okay. I'll make damn sure she is when we're done and I smile back, gradually letting my fangs extend.
This is a performance that needs to be good enough to get that gods’ forsaken priest to piss off.
“How are you feeling, lea?”
She smiles. Like she's delighted I've asked. As if it means the goddamn world to her I've checked.
“Uncomfortable.” Her eyes flick left, then back to me. “Master.”
I won’t make her kneel.
I've made my decision.
I don't give a shit about the consequences or the fucking protocol. Ivy's my wife and she's done more than I'd ever expected. I'm not asking more and I won't endure any more of this charade.
“Come.” I turn and walk to the leather Chesterfield, knowing damn well she's following. I sit and pat my thigh, and her brows furrow in confusion. “However you like, lea. You’re unwell.”
She nods and relaxes, awkwardly clambering onto my lap and adjusting herself until she's comfortable. She's curled up like a cat, resting in a way that lets me stroke her as I talk, with her back facing the room—and Rowan.
He'll take it as an insult and I don't give a fuck.
I'm proud of my perfect girl, who's weak and tiny but brave and strong enough to defeat a vampire who rivals me. She's walked through the valley of death and shown no fear, and she's done it with me. For me. For us.
I stretch my hand out, gesturing the others might want to sit. Rowan wants to fucking kill me but there's nothing he can do. Not now the priest has given his judgment and it isn't the one Rowan expected.
The priest sits and I stare at him, playing the part of a man who wasn't worried in the slightest.
“I assume this settles matters?” I ask, stroking Ivy's hair.
The priest smiles as I play with my wife. “I confess I didn’t think you'd find your way. I thought you wouldn’t balance her needs with yours, or the natural order with the sacred bond.” He drums his fingers on the side of the chair. “The pair of you make it look easy—although I'd have fucked her by now. I hope you weren't delaying because you were interpreting our agreement too literally.”
I smile and ignore everything I hate about what the asshole just said.
“I prefer to wait until she's earned it and there's a certain pleasure in anticipation. Denial. We have time.”
Her clit throbs and she's turned on by the thought of earning my cock. Damn, she's perfect and it's taking some effort to concentrate on anything other than the thought of my dick sinking into her warmth. The innocent girl curled up on my lap has thoughts as dirty as mine, and I'm sure she's ready to move forward .
And the whole fucking room senses our arousal.
Rowan seethes as his plan comes undone and we’re forced to endure an afternoon of veiled threats and forced pleasantries, pretending to negotiate an agreement we both know won’t hold. It’s a waste of time and there are better places to be, and every time Ivy moves, my cock wakes up.
The priest’s right.
I need to fuck Ivy and the pull of our bond is too strong. I can only hold back so long—but if today’s performance was any indication, I won’t have to.