Chapter Fifteen #4
The high-pitched call shatters the tension. I catch Dohwan's slight flinch before he schools his features back to neutral. My eyes track down the path to see Ga-in hurrying toward us, her silk dress flowing around her legs.
My lips curl into an automatic scowl. Of course she would show up now.
Ga-in comes to a stop near us, one hand lifting as if to touch Dohwan's arm. My blood boils at the presumptuous gesture. An irrational urge to permanently remove that reaching hand rises in my chest. But Ga-in freezes before making contact, her eyes catching on something.
The mate marks.
Horror washes over her face as she processes what she's seeing. Her mouth opens and an ear-splitting shriek tears from her throat. I jump at the unexpected sound, and beside me Dohwan mutters a curse.
He turns to look at her fully, and I see the moment Ga-in registers his glowing eyes—the visible sign of a mated male on the verge of going feral. Her face twists in appalled dismay.
“No,” she whispers, covering her mouth and shaking her head with denial. “No. It can't be. Who—”
Her gaze darts between us, putting the pieces together. When understanding hits, her expression morphs into pure rage as she fixes her murderous glare on me.
The hatred in her eyes is visceral, promising violence. Her hands curl into claws at her sides as she takes a menacing step forward.
“You!”
Ga-in's piercing scream echoes across the courtyard as she jabs an accusing finger at me. I roll my eyes, but my muscles tense instinctively as I watch her face contort with rage.
Fire springs to life in my palms, warmth gathering as I prepare to defend myself. A thrill of anticipation runs through me—I've been itching to put this female in her place since I first laid eyes on her.
Ga-in launches herself forward with a snarl, but before I can unleash my flames, Dohwan moves between us. He catches her mid-lunge, his hands gripping her shoulders to hold her back as she thrashes and claws, trying to get to me.
My eyes widen as I watch his reaction to touching her. His face drains of color, lips curling back in clear revulsion. He looks physically ill, like someone is force-feeding him something rancid.
“Calm down,” he orders Ga-in through gritted teeth, clearly struggling to maintain his grip while fighting his own disgust.
“You filthy halfblood!” Ga-in shrieks at me, still trying to break free of Dohwan's hold. “You've stolen him! You've tainted his bloodline with your impure heritage!”
I bare my teeth in a mocking smile. “Seems the fates don't find my blood that unworthy. After all, they chose me for him, not you.” Leaning forward, I deliver the killing blow.
“How many times did you put your hands on him before, Ga-in? And not once did the mate marks appear. But me?” I grin wide. “I only had to touch him once.”
Ga-in's outraged scream pierces the air. My own anger rises as I watch Dohwan forced to restrain her, his face growing more sickly by the second.
Finally, he shoves her back hard enough to create distance between them. He hunches over slightly, looking like he might actually vomit.
“Please,” he gasps out, “don't touch me.” His face contorts as though trying to rid himself of a foul taste.
Ga-in freezes, staring at him with dawning hurt in her eyes. “Why…” Her voice cracks. “Why are you acting like my touch repulses you?”
I can't help the laugh that bubbles up as I watch Ga-in's hurt expression. “Because it is repulsive,” I say, though I know the truth—the mate bond makes any female's touch nauseating to him now. I'll likely experience the same revulsion toward other males.
A crowd begins gathering around us, drawn by Ga-in's theatrics. Fae nobles peek out from doorways and emerge from garden paths, their curiosity piqued by the drama unfolding. Some whisper behind delicate hands while others openly stare.
Ga-in's wails grow louder, echoing off the stone walls. “You've been poisoned!” She points an accusing finger at me. “This halfblood siren has bewitched you with her filthy human body!”
I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. But Ga-in is clearly beyond reason, her face red and blotchy as tears stream down her cheeks.
“Get ahold of yourself,” Dohwan snarls at her, his patience clearly worn thin.
Ga-in lunges forward again, reaching for him with desperate hands. Dohwan jerks back violently, his lips curling to expose his fangs in a clear warning. The disgust on his face is visceral.
My fingers twitch with the urge to grab her, to physically remove her from my mate's presence. But before I can act on the impulse, several fae females rush forward from the gathering crowd. They take Ga-in gently by the arms, whispering soothing words as they guide her away.
“Come now, dear. You must maintain your dignity,” one murmurs, shooting me a disapproving look over her shoulder.
I meet Dohwan's eyes, completely out of patience with this entire circus. “We're leaving. Now.”
Without waiting for his response, I turn and stride toward the entrance hall. I've had quite enough of Ruby Hall and its drama for one day.