Blood Flows Deep in the Empire (35 page)

Yeah, she was loud enough to call the attention of everyone around her, but that wasn’t so wrong, was it? Nah.

Dimithinia stared at Eve with a confused look. Until she noticed the individual glaring down at her with all the fury of his domain. When she saw it was Crius, Dimi flipped her long hair over her shoulder and literally sashayed toward Eve, the slit of her dress showing off just enough leg and thigh.

As far as displays went, Eve had to admit she fucking loved it.

Take that, asshole
, she thought
. You’re just another male idiot about to suffer for your foolishness.

And there would be more of them before the night was over. There was a reason she’d picked out her dress, after all. Even if he wouldn’t make it, it didn’t hurt to be prepared.

“Fling myself at? Perhaps I am thinking about it. Are there any takers?” Dimithinia asked just as Cy innocently raised his hand.

The laser glare with no pupils was turned toward Cy next.

And cue the evil genius laugh in Eve’s head. She smirked as Dimi joined the others right before Crius made his way toward them. Ian, he seemed happy enough to greet, but Cy? Eve took a sip of her drink, hiding her big ass smile.

Wondering where Ismini was, and really hoping she and her
R’mann
hadn’t decided to consecrate another unnecessary place, Evesse left the group to go look for her. She made it a few steps before a wave of heat she was becoming accustomed to ran through her. She had to stop and lean against a door frame just so she could blink and breathe.

A few breaths. That was what it usually took for the feeling to recede. This time, though, it wasn’t really going away, and the pain in her veins throbbed harder.

She knew what it meant. Of course she knew what it meant. And it was so fucking unfair. So fucking wrong. How could this be chosen for her against her will?

It was chosen for Ismini.

Yeah, but just because it worked out for her didn’t mean it would work out for Eve. Not with the way her luck usually ran. Afraid that someone would see her in such a state, she stepped further into the hallway and kept going until she reach the opposite wall. She leaned into it, pressing her forehead against the stone.

Eve couldn’t make sense of why it was so intense recently. Why it was killing her now. Maybe it was just getting worse, and soon she would fall face first into the
Fieren,
the unrequited mating turning on her and eating her from the inside out.

Which would be great. Really great. Yeah, okay.

She inhaled shakily again, turning and leaning her back against the wall. She was heaving air in when out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of.

Oh, holy shit.

Her mouth fell open. She couldn’t move. Her heart twisted inside her with fury and need. She couldn’t look away from the giant storming toward her. Evesse was on the verge of hyperventilating. She wanted to smack herself for her obvious reaction.

But she couldn’t stop.

Couldn’t stop
it
.

In all black, he was nearly frightening. His eyes flashed between blue-and-gray and red-and-black, and his cheek bones seemed more prominent than before. He came closer until he was right in front of her. His hands slammed on either side of her head. Eve gasped, jumping in surprise.

“Why are you wearing that dress?”

“
Huh
?” she asked, eyes locked with his and unable to move.

Zeniel leaned toward her, his face too fucking beautiful and vicious. The sight of his jaw twitching made her clench everywhere, and she was horrified when she felt herself gush. Even more so when she saw his nostrils slightly flare. She knew he could smell it. Knew he could smell what he was doing to her.

Gorgeous bastard.

A growl rumbled out of him. In a flash, he pressed his big body against her. His hand grabbed on to her jaw. She wanted to continue to lie to herself about what was happening to her, but the moment she felt his touch, the
R’mmanev
wailed through her.

“Answer me. They’re all fucking looking at you. I see them. Why are you wearing it? Are you trying to drive me crazy? Or other men?” He leaned in, his eyes turning completely black while red lines appeared across his cheeks and moved higher. The lines merged with the black ones that seemed to leak out of his eyes.

Mavrak.

“Fuck . . . you,” Eve gasped, furious and so horny she could barely think. He was gone for weeks, and he had the nerve to storm in there and pretend he was jealous?

Two distinct tones rumbled in her ear. “Oh, I plan to.”