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"For every bite," As"

Ari’s eyes sought Jai and she could see hiht shake of her head just before Asain and kissed her

She let him She didn’t respond but she didn’t bite hio, Jai telepathed to her, I would have preferred the lash

Ari closed her eyes, her shoulders tense with sha to protect you

You can’t This is torture

Tears spilled down Ari’s cheeks as she turned back to face Jai Their eyes ht, deep down in the very core of her soul I pro you

Then you should have run it past me first I have a few issues with that promise

Jai … please

His expression shifted and she watched his shoulders sluh so that Red took a protective step toward hiave her a tiny nod I love you too

"Now, children," Asmodeus’s voice rumbled loudly for all to hear "It is rude to telepath in company" He spun slowly on his heels and addressed the room "I think the feast is over I’d like to retire with my bride-to-be and sample her wares, as they say"

As Ari froze, the crowd surprised her by eliciting shocked and offended gasps She looked at their frowning expressions and glanced up the hall to Azazil

"No!" she cried out and shook her head, pleading with him not to let Ash as he stood fro Jinn as he passed Everyone hurried to bow, yet not even Azazil’s presence a them cleared the uncertainty and disapproval from their expressions

Azazil stopped before Ari and Aser as atte to push his parent to the very limit "Unfortunately, Asmodeus, there are still some rules in this world that even I won’t break Without these rules, we’d be uncivilized animals" His voice lowered now and his lips twitched with amusement as he continued, "I especially won’t break theuests and raised his voice "The bride will not share a bed with her betrothed until the e cererunted "We are only delaying the inevitable"

"Asmodeus," Azazil warned

He held up his hands in surrender

"Fine We shall wait" He smiled at Ari now as he stroked her cheek with faux tenderness "Off to bed, then, with your reprieve"

"Let Jai go," Ari suddenly pleaded with Azazil, knowing she was pushing it, but needing to "Don’t make him watch this"

Azazil’sAsmodeus a look "I proeance Unfortunately, that includes the Ginnaye

My hands are tied You know better than anyone that when I grant a favor, I don’t renege on it"

Ari paled at the re in the first place She sed his re look cast Jai’s way, she spun and hurried out of the ballroouards

After such a trying night, Red had finally done Jai a favor and knocked hiet some sleep It meant he was out, unconscious on the bed, when Glass finally made it back to Mount Qaf

Red took one look at Glass’s face as he stepped out of the Peripatos and felt his hope for his young niece and her lover wither in his stomach

"Hoas the feast?" Glass asked quietly, shooting a questioning look at Jai’s sleeping form

Red exhaled hard "So difficult even Father felt uneasy aboutJai watch"

Glass’s expression darkened

"Asone too far"

"I take it our idea did not work, considering you haven’t mentioned it"

Glass was silent for a er "The bastard!"

"I explained everything to him but he remained unmoved"

"What did he say?"

"Not a word He pulled the silent treat …"

"Is there nothing else we can do?"

Red lowered himself to his armchair and bowed his head in defeat "I fear we have lost this one, Brother"

26

From Unexpected Places

For two days she’d been locked in her cha of time that drew her closer and closer to the inevitable

There was no word from Asmodeus, none froht about the fact that she would never again have a conversation hiht and little dark spots cluttered her vision as she fought to breathe