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But remember, I have to agree that there is at least a hint of life. It better be some evidence impressive enough that I can’t pixie out of it, Darkness, because you know I will, if I can.”
“I know,” he said.
She looked at me, then. It was not a friendly look. “Enjoy Mistral, Meredith. Enjoy him and know that he comes back to me when this is done.”
“Thank you for loaning him to me,” I said, and kept my voice absolutely empty.
She made a face at me. “Don’t thank me, Meredith — not yet. You’ve only bedded him once.” She motioned at me with the sword. “Though I see that you have found what he considers pleasure: He likes to cause pain.”
“I would have thought that he would be your ideal lover then, Aunt Andais.”
“I like to cause pain, niece Meredith, not be on the receiving end.”
I swallowed hard, so I wouldn’t say what I was thinking. I finally managed, “I did not know that you were a pure sadist, Aunt Andais.”
She frowned at me. “ Pure sadist — that’s an odd phrase.”
“I meant only that I didn’t know you didn’t like pain on your own body at all.”
“Oh, I like a little teeth, a little nails, but not like that.” Again she motioned at my breast. It ached where he’d bitten me, and I had a near-perfect imprint of his teeth, though he hadn’t broken the skin. I would be bruised, but nothing more.
She shook her head, as if to chase away a thought, then turned, and the motion caused her black robe to swirl wide. She grabbed the edge of it, to pull it around herself. She looked back over her shoulder one last time before she stepped into the darkness and traveled back the way she’d come. Her last words were not a comfort. “After Mistral’s had his way with her, do not come crying to me that he’s broken your little princess.” And the piece of darkness where she had been was empty.
So many of us let out a sigh of relief at the same time that it was like the sound of wind in the trees. Someone gave a nervous laugh.
“She is right about one thing,” Mistral said, and his eyes held regret. “I like causing a little pain. I am sorry if I hurt you, but it has been so long since…” He spread his hands wide. “I forgot myself. I am sorry for that.”
Rhys laughed, and Doyle joined him, and finally even Galen and Frost joined in that soft masculine sound.
“Why do you laugh?” Mistral asked.
Rhys turned to me, his face still shining with laughter.
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