Page 84 of Firebird
He clamped his jaws tight, staring back at the house. “A rival.”
“A rival being honored at your house tonight? Why would he try to anger you by… attacking us?”
“He wants a war between us. That can be the only reason.”
“But why?” I wondered.
“Because I’m next in line for the emperor’s throne, and he wants that position.” He combed a hand through his hair. “Ciprian knows that taking you away from me would enrage me into acting out against him.”
“How could that help him in the eyes of Caesar?”
“Because it would be illegal for one Roman officer to attack another over—” He swallowed hard, his expression showing his distaste as he continued. “Over property. Disputes must be heard and judged by the emperor himself. And Ciprian knows that my uncle would not like me displaying irrational emotion over a woman.”
“And a slave,” I added. “Caesar would see such behavior as weak.”
He gave me one stiff nod. We remained quiet a moment as the sun dipped lower behind his house. Volkan had lowered his head and nibbled on some hay strewn over the stable floor.
“Ciprian wants you angry tonight, so you must focus onnotletting him get his way.”
He huffed out a disgusted breath and pulled me gently into his arms. “Having him here in my house makes me want to—” He squeezed me a little hard and gritted his teeth, a dark rumble vibrating in his chest.
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I pressed my body to his and instinctually pushed a wave of calm into him. Though I was fatigued from using my gift within the last hour, I would always have enough for Julian.
He grunted and lowered his mouth to the crown of my head. “I told you not to use your gift on me, didn’t I?”
“I don’t care. You’ll take it whether you want it or not.”
He chuckled and squeezed me tight. “Are you all right? Did they hurt you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Why did Stefanos thank you for saving them?”
“Because I used my gift against them.”
He pulled back to meet my gaze, his brow pinched. “How?”
“I made them feel terror and made them believe the gods would kill them and all those they love.”
“You can do that?”
“Emotions are powerful.”
“Indeed.” He grinned. “There it is.”
“There what is?”
“My feisty firebird. Proof that you are meant to be mine. My dragon would only choose a powerful female for his mate.”
My pulse pounded in my ears, and my throat went dry, remembering Trajan had said the very same thing. His smile slid away as he cupped my face gently, brushing his thumb along one cheek.
“Oh, Malina. You know this to be true. Why do you look so surprised?”
“I’m not. But when you say it aloud, it feels…”
“Real?”
I nodded, my chest squeezing tight, my legs wobbly with a rush of energy. He lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss to my lips, then murmured against them.
