[IRIS POV]
A gasp rang out through the crowd when Caius's knees all but slammed against the floor. Even Beta Basil's eyes had shot wide open, horror overcoming his features.
"Caius, what is the meaning of this?" Beta Basil demanded. "This girl has the nerve to upstage my daughter and make a mockery of your wedding day. You're keeping her alive?!"
Scandalized whispers began to spread through the hall. To some, Caius looked as though he was trying to plead for my sake. A ludicrous thought, of course, but tongues often wagged.
However, I knew the truth. Caius's lips were abnormally pale. I'm guessing the pain was too much to bear.
Good. A weak but victorious chuckle escaped my lips.
"Scram," I whispered, in earshot of his hearing.
He twitched as if he had been struck. Yet, he said nothing in reply and merely kept his gaze locked onto mine. I felt my body itch as though a thousand fire ants had been set free on my body with the heat of his gaze.
