The silence that followed the Succubus's words was thick enough to choke on.
The noblewomen, who had just been screeching about my 'disreputable' nature, were now paralyzed, their faces pale reflections of the violet light bleeding from the doorway.
I didn't flinch. Even with the metallic, sulfurous scent of the Abyss drowning out the lilies, I kept my hand resting lazily on Maegel's chest.
I could feel the way his muscles turned hard beneath his coat, a low vibration starting in his throat. He wasn't just a Prince anymore; it seemed like he was a dragon guarding his prized possession.
I can't stay silent, or I'll give that succubus a reason to think she's actually winning here.
"Smell like your kind?" I repeated, my voice steady and cold.
I let my gaze travel from the tips of her jagged obsidian heels up to her glowing violet eyes.
