Their Wife: Book 2

Nine (Part 4)

I didn't have to be looking at Ares's face with my tear-filled eyes to know he was looking down on Ryder, his face showing the slightest him of disdain he couldn't help but reveal.

The corner of Ryder's mouth hitched up into a smirk. Bending a knee up, he sat up and rested his elbow on it before raising the sugar melt to his mouth and taking a large bite. Watching it disappear into his mouth and be consumed had me mourning for its loss.

I dug my nails into Ares's arm. When he stiffened slightly in response, I felt a thread of darkness weave through my thoughts from the anger I felt towards him. I hoped it hurt him. He deserved it, after all. None of this would have happened if he hadn't been a sly bastard trying to use underhanded methods. I was fairly confident that this would have been considered drugging a person and a felony on earth. If he was going to try to make it living there freely, he needed to learn that kind of thing wasn't going to fly.

Shit. Considering he was a professional assassin, there were more than just a few things he had to learn. It was easy to forget how deadly he was when I was more used to the sight of him being careful and gentle when treating my wounds.

Ryder hummed as he examined the inside of the sugar melt. "It's a decent treat, but I don't see why it would be worth attacking someone for." He took another bite and rose his eyes from the treat to Ares. "It doesn't take a scholar to deduce that her behaviour was a bit strange."

The erratic beating of my heart had slowed enough for my limbs to remember how to move again. In spite, the first thing I did was dig my nails into Ares's arm a bit more before using both hands to pry it from around me. I felt him resist me for a moment at first, but then it gave way and his arm dropped.

"It doesn't take one to see that you were up to no good when I arrived."

Ryder's eyes narrowed. "Say, Nea," he said before turning his eyes towards me. "Where did you get these?" He asked, raising the paper bag holding the others.

My eyes darted to Area in answer.

Ryder's smile widened. He looked back at Ares. "So, why would you have an issue with me feeding her something you gave her?"

When Ares just crossed his arms and stared him down, not answering, Ryders took another bite as he leisurely rose to his feet, dusting his ass off.

"If anything, I'd say you weren't the smart one. After all, everyone knows how protective kitsune are of their mates, so it would be idiotic to try to lure one in with sugary treats. But you're the most feared assassin in the Fae Lands, surely you wouldn't be that stupid, now would you?" He asked rhetorically, cocking a brow.

Despite him stepping towards Ares, when Ryder took a step forward while saying the last part, I stumbled back in a panic. The wind was keeping the scent away from me, keeping my mind clear. Him getting closer was jeopardizing that. I didn't want to lose control again, it left me feeling horrible. The memory of what the hunger drove me to gnawed on the inside, driving me to shy away in fear.

I felt the cool damp press of the brick wall as I pressed the palm of my hand against it before leaning my weight back on it, digging my hand painfully into the textured wall. I welcomed the pain. It was a calming distraction that kept my even breaths slow and steady.

"Let's head to the inn."

I raised my eyes from where I had focused on a brightly coloured, royal blue, beetle-like insect.  The shell seemed similar in texture with its reflective surface, but the shape of the shell was in a heart, the head towards the pointed bottom. Although it was beautiful, the insect didn't stand a chance against the unnatural beauty the two men possessed.