Chapter 31

I stepinto the parlor the next day after breakfast to find Jude and Aleksander already seated inside. They glance up at my approach, their eyes following me as I sit across from them.

"What?" I ask after a moment.

Aleksander takes a long drink from his goblet and doesn't reply.

Jude leans closer to me, drawing out the words as he speaks. "How is your wife?"

"Fine."

"Oh, come now," Jude presses. "We've all seen the way you look at her. Like she's the only oasis for miles."

"Maybe she is," I say, not caring to disguise my feelings for Annora.

"She's from House of Silver, and you brought her here." Bitterness seeps into Aleksander's tone, thickening every word he speaks. "You know that relationships between a silver and crimson is forbidden."

"She's here under my protection."

Aleksander scoffs. "Protection or possession?"

I grit my teeth and don't respond.

"Do you really think you can control her?" Alexander asks, his voice dripping with contempt. "She'll never be anything but silver."

I have no need or desire to control Annora. Not when I want her next to me, not behind me.

"I don't need to dominate her. But know this…" I pin them both with a blistering stare, "…she's not here for either of your amusements."

"No," Aleksander says. "She's here for yours."

Frustration surges within me as I stand and grit my teeth. "Watch yourself."

Black strands fall across Aleksander's forehead as he shakes his head at me. "Annora has bewitched you. I see it in the way you look at her, like some lovesick fool."

Heat flares inside me, but I force myself to take a slow breath. "I won't warn you again, Aleksander. Speak of Annora with respect."

"Respect?" His upper lip curls into a sneer. "For a silver with more scars than beauty?" He gives me a mocking look. "Tell me, do you even see past those scars when she's under you? Or do you just pretend she's one of the crimson girls you used to fuck back when you had some sense?"

White-hot anger floods through me as I lean over and slam my fist into Aleksander's jaw, whipping his face sideways from the force of the blow. He throws up his hands quickly, barely managing to block my next swing.

Jude rushes to his feet. "Enough!"

Aleksander spits blood onto the floor and scowls at me.

My chest heaves as I flex my stinging hand. "No one speaks about Annora that way."

Aleksander dabs at his split lip. "She has made you as weak as she is."

I start for him again, but Jude holds me back.

"Get out," I snarl at Aleksander.

He inclines his head mockingly before turning on his heel and stalking from the room.

I wrench myself from Jude's grasp and pace to the window. What in blazes has come over me, brawling like some reckless youth?

Anger still thrums through me as I brace my hands against the window frame and take a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind raging inside me.

Aleksander's words keep replaying in my mind, mocking Annora, mocking my affection for her.

How dare he talk about her like that?

Jude moves to stand beside me. "You know Aleksander. He is always trying to get a rise out of you. I wouldn't put too much stock in his barbs."

"He went too far this time."

Jude nods. "I know, but he's not entirely wrong to have concerns. Marrying Annora and bringing her here, it's bound to raise some eyebrows." He pauses. "Still, for what it's worth, I find her to be quite charming. I can see why you're drawn to her."

"I had no choice but to bring her here," I say honestly. "You know that."

"Yes, yes, I know, Jasce. You had no choice but to marry Annora and take her to your bed. No choice at all." He grins mischievously.

I run a hand over my face and sigh. "Enough, Jude. I'm not in the mood for your jests."

He nudges me with his elbow. "I'm only having a bit of fun. It's good to see you smiling more these days." He shifts to lean his shoulder against the wall. "Annora makes you happy. Which is a good thing, despite what Aleksander thinks."

He's right. I have smiled a lot more since I reunited with Annora.

Everything in me wants to go and search for her, to spend time with her, but I must attend a meeting with my council, the Scions of Ember, first.

I turn toward the door and glance over my shoulder at Jude. "I would like for you to attend the council meeting today."

"Gladly. I'll share my expertise on fishing." His eyes dance with mirth before he turns and steps into the corridor.

I shake my head at him and follow him to the War Room, where every member of my council is already gathered.