Page 201 of A Touch of Poison
Kat
Iblinked at Robin. Not once had even a mention of him appeared in the stream of thoughts I’d inked on the page.
He stomped past me—I barely got out of his way in time.
Out in the corridor, Urien caught my eye. His gaze skittered to the floor. “I’m sorry. He was escorted from Dawn’s side, and as you’re his wife, I couldn’t stop him.”
Before I could reply, he strode off down the hallway.
His wife.
His possession.
But I was mine. I belonged to myself and whoever else I said. I was Ella’s friend. Bastian’s lover. My own self.
I gritted my teeth and closed the door. Robin had already made his way to the sitting room, and I found him clinking through Ella’s chest, nose wrinkled.
The sight of him inourspace, encroaching on Ella’s belongings, bubbled in my blood. “Leave that—”
He shoved it across the floor and rounded on me. “What have you told them?”
I blinked as he advanced, his nostrils flaring. “Pardon?”
“None of the fae women here will so much as look at me.”
A half-muffled guffaw came from me. “I can’t imagine why.”
Lip curling, he took another step closer. “You think you’re so funny, don’t you?”
“No, Robin, I just thinkyou’reridiculous.” I bit my tongue against calling him foolish and instead planted my hands on my hips. “The fact we’re married counts both ways. I know you’re not used to that, but just as much as I’myourwife, you’remyhusband.”
He blinked like I was speaking gibberish.
“That fae law saying Bastian couldn’t bring me here without your permission also means that no one can take you away from me withoutmypermission. No fae will sleep with you because of our marriage contract.”
He blasted a humourless laugh. “I’ve never heard such a load of nonsense. You belong to me—that’s the only law that matters.” With a shaking hand he pointed, coming closer until his finger was in my face. “No, you told them some lie about me. Scared them off somehow. What did you say?”
I swatted his hand away when it was an inch from my nose. “I haven’t spoken a word about you. Your name hasn’t passed my lips in months.”
He flinched like I’d slapped him.
After everything he’d done to me, after all I’d endured, he had the gall to look affronted?
It felt like my veins were going to sear their way out of my body, and if not for the iron ring, I’d have been battling to contain the purple haze of my poison.
I blamed that for my tongue running away with me, as I went on. “In fact, until you appeared, I’d forgotten you existed. And you know what? It was fucking glorious. Now get out.” I stepped to one side and gestured to the door.
It was only when I looked back at him that I realised my mistake.
As much as there was a fire burning in me, one ignited in him. Maybe it was because I’d laughed at him or because I’d forgotten him. Maybe it was that last part when I’d dismissed him.
Whatever the reason, a vein in his temple throbbed and his eyes bulged as he started forward.
He didn’t go for the door.
Pulse racing, I darted to one side, but I was too slow, and his grip closed around my wrist.
My head snapped back as he yanked me close. The sickly sweet scent of sherry rolled off him. How hadn’t I noticed it before?
