Augustin’s POV
into my arms. My eyes locked on her, desire coursing the
The moment our bedroom door closed behind us, I wanted nothing more than to pullwide and desire, had been driving me crazy all ing
veins like wildfire. The way she’d watched me during the polo match, her eyes filled with
I stepped toward her, my intention clear in my eyes, but she placed her palm against my chest and gently pushed me back. The corner of her mouth market up in a teasing smile that made my heart race.
“We should change for dinner first,‘ she said, ‘Your family is waiting, and we still need to deal with Eliza.” She leaned closer, her breath warm against my ear. “If you’re patient, maybe later I’ll choose to spend time with you instead of with the girls.”
I inhaled deeply, catching the unmistakable scent of her arousal mingling with her natural fragrance. My body responded immediately, but I understood her game. She wanted me to work for it, to earn her attention tonight.
“Fine,” I growled playfully, stepping back. “But don’t think I’ll forget that promise.”
We turned toward our respective closets and began changing for dinner. The air between us crackled with anticipation, making even this mundane task of charged with electricity. I couldn’t help stealing glances at her as she slipped into a deep burgundy dress that hugged her curves perfectly, highlighting the red in her hair.
When we made our way downstairs to the dining room, I immediately noticed Ruby sitting at the table, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her eyes darted nervously around the room, but when Juno approached with a warm smile, Ruby’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
What made me pause, however, was the sight of Elowen already seated at the table. I frowned, remembering I had explicitly forbidden her from joining family meals after her last disrespectful outburst. My gaze shifted to Evanth, silently demanding an explanation.
My brother merely shrugged, his expression slightly embarrassed. I swallowed my irritation, deciding not to make a scene that would embarrass Evanth in front of everyone. There would be time to address his lack of backbone later.
Juno approached Elowen with graceful confidence, her voice gentle but carrying unmistakable authority. “Will you be on your best behavior tonight, Elowen?”
The effect was immediate. Elowen stood up straight, her posture suddenly respectful as she greeted both Juno and me with proper deference. Her attitude was markedly more humble than usual, which surprised me.
From the corner of my eye, I caught my mother rolling her eyes at the display. She was sitting beside Ruby, her expression dismissive of Elowen’s sudden change in demeanor.
‘I invited Ruby to join us,” Mother announced.
I understood her motivation immediately. She wanted to separate Evanth from Elowen’s influence, something I wholeheartedly supported. Elowen had been a negative presence in my brother’s life for too long, encouraging his worst tendencies and fueling his resentment toward me.
Scarlett and Bryloch entered the dining room together, and I couldn’t miss the scent of recent intimacy clinging to them. Their clothes were neat but hastily adjusted, and Scarlett’s cheeks still held a post–coital flush. I shot Juno a pointed look, but she deliberately avoided my gaze, suddenly very interested in adjusting her napkin.
Freya and Adryx joined us next, hand in hand, both looking content and peaceful.
The butler formally escorted Eliza into the dining room. Her steps were hesitant, her eyes downcast as she was seated next to Ruby. Both women appeared extremely nervous, though for different reasons.
As dinner was served and wine poured, the initially tense atmosphere gradually relaxed. Evanth broke the silence with a half–joking comment.
“That match against Forestvale was absolutely brutal,” he chuckled. ‘It was practically a slaughter.”
His words drew laughter from around the table. Juno looked at him with meaningful intensity.
