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That was fine, Surreal thought as she began filling her plate fro as everyone else was going hungry to avoid eating with the guests But if she found out that anotherto have a few things to say toso told

"May I sit with you?" Aaron asked quietly as he joined her

She was about toplenty of chairs when she saw the hunted look in his eyes

As if her noticing hiiven him soh for her to feel the way hisehtly leashed

"Why don’t you sit over here, Aaron?" Vania said, giving hiht

Well, thatthe time Surreal had been at the Hall, she’d observed that the h Lord--had some very particular ideas about as considered acceptable physical distance, and the cold courtesy they could all turn on a woman was usually an effective determent when that distance wasn’t respected Theapproached and touched by all of the witches in the First Circle, they welcomed that friendly intimacy But they didn’t welcome it from anyone else

He considersa jolt of pleasure at the acceptanceHe considers me safe Because of that, her "Of course," in reply to his question was as soothing as she could ood whore, she thought as she picked up the serving fork and the carving knife froood whore So why is it that, all of a sudden, ure out?

"Would--"

Surreal turned her head to look at Aaron, the carving knife poised over the turkey "You weren’t going to suggest that I don’t kno to handle a knife, were you, sugar?"

Aaron’s eyes widened "I would never be so foolish as to suggest that a Dea al Mon witch didn’t kno to handle a knife," he said, sounding suspiciouslya slice for me"

"Of course you were," she replied tartly She felt so in him relax and swore silently about perverse ain, she mused as she cut the turkey breast, maybe the males were just so used to that blend of tart and sweet in a witch’s personality, they could relax around it It could be an acquired taste, like pickleberries

The thoughtknife back on the platter, she settled down to eat There wasn’t much conversation, which suited her just fine--especially since all of Vania’s remarks were aimed at Aaron and his replies had beco to break, or at least change, the tension that was getting thicker by theto ask Alexandra when she and her party were going to leave But she didn’t say anything because she found herself looking straight at Vania There was a nasty kind of anger in the wo with her food for a minute, Vania pushed her plate away and sht now Aaron wasso sti to understand that rerabbed Vania by the hair, and yanked her forward His left hand closed on the carving knife and swung it toward her throat

Surreal grabbed Aaron’s left wrist with both hands and pulled back as hard as she could He gave her a couple of inches before his ed forward

The knife’s point jabbed Vania’s neck She screa from the wound

Surreal poured the power of her Gray Jewels into her hands to give her added strength, but there was soht shield around Aaron that just absorbed the power

All right Muscle against muscle She could hold him off for the few seconds needed for the other men at the table to help her

Except no one limpse of Aaron’s face and knew none of the other people in the roo to approach a Warlord Prince who looked that cold and e she could find She didn’t give a daot her throat slit, but she didn’t want Aaron to get into trouble because the bitch had pushed hi said anxiously

Help me!

The wolfroom seconds after she called

Surreal

Don’t just stand there Do so whined I can’t bite Aaron

Then find so rushed out of the room

If she could have, she would have used Craft to vanish the knife, but Aaron had extended that daet the knife, couldn’t even break his wrist to stop hih for the knife to slice Vania’s neck again

Then Chaosti was there, his hands claht wrist Lucivar’s hands closed over hers, adding ainst them mindlessly, intent only on the kill

"Damn it, Aaron," Lucivar snarled "Don’t force ht sourly as Lucivar’s hands tightened on hers She just hoped he re bones

Aaron seemed far past the ability to hear theht voice said, "Prince Aaron,attend"

Aaron began shivering uncontrollably Lucivar quickly took the carving knife away froht hand open, releasing Vania’s hair

Vania kept screa, Surreal realized, since the first jab

"SILENCE"

Ice instantly coated all the glasses on the table Vania glanced in Jaenelle’s direction and stopped screa

"Prince Aaron," Jaenelle said too calhtened up Chaosti and Lucivar released him and stepped aside Deathly pale, Aaron walked over to where Jaenelle stood and sank to his knees

"Wait for h Lord’s study," Jaenelle said

With effort, Aaron got to his feet and left the dining room

Surreal looked at those frozen sapphire eyes, felt the lightest brush of is gave out She sat on the table