When she moaned my name in pleasure, her eyes shone like moonlight. But in the end, she still threw me out right after our mating. I admit I might have killed the mood when I demanded to know what was between her and the vampire.

I’d taken over her security, so I deserved to know all things related to it, including her dark secrets.

Kaara trusted me, so the witch should, too.

“If I don’t make it, you must take care of Fia,” Kaara had implored of me the other day. 

“As long as I’m here, you’ll make it, as will the witch,” I’d replied. 

When morning came, I waited in the Assembly Hall with the others.

Fiammetta glided in, her piercing gray eyes sweeping over the room. When they dwelled on me, her irises widened. There was no recognition in her icy gaze, as if overnight she had forgotten me all over again, despite the bliss I had given her last night.

This was getting old. 

Fiammetta flicked her eyes away.

Kaara started briefing her mistress on recent events. Fiammetta’s gaze found me twice involuntarily, and both times she seemed on edge for a second.

She felt the electric charge between us just as strongly as I did. The only difference was she refused to acknowledge it, but I was never one for such pretenses.

“Carry on, Kaara,” Fiammetta said, returning her gaze to her second-in-command, hanging onto the violet-haired girl’s every word.

I also noticed she never called anyone except Kaara by name. She never said my name in public either, as if we weren’t worthy of her time.

I’d never been treated as such a non-essential. 

This bullshit was unacceptable.

With my arms folded across my chest, I planted my feet wider and braced for whatever Fiammetta was about to throw at me.

I voiced my strong opinions on how we should improve the security.

My stance indicated I was her partner, not her fucking subject.

Fiammetta frowned at me, surprised at my boldness and lack of fear. But she didn’t scold me. She listened, really listened. But she also paid attention to everyone’s speech. She encouraged her minions to talk, so they often babbled.

Now everyone fought to speak, and I wanted to send all of them flying and crashing against the wall for their competition for her attention.

“I wonder why the vampires haven’t made a move yet,” Rocky said.

“Marrok has some news,” Kaara said. “It’s better he tells Lady Fiammetta in person.”

Fiammetta sent Kaara a questioning look, and Kaara gave her a reassuring smile. The witch was always calmer and benign in front of her general.

Marrok, Kaara’s wolf mate, stalked in. He was almost as tall as I. Everyone was in a constant foul mood, but that guy had an easy smile when he wasn’t growling or killing.

Kaara had introduced us once, and neither of us was too impressed with the other. He had appraised my black wings with a measured look a couple of times.

I believed Kaara had told the wolf about the First Seer’s prophecy.

Kaara lit up at the shifter’s presence.

The wolves’ territory was closer to the vampires’ tower. They were natural enemies. They knew more about the vampires than other clans.

Ever since Fiammetta had declared war on the vampires, many more wolves had come to guard the Witch Tower.

And Marrok, the wolf king, spent most of his nights here with his mate.

Some nights, they fucked the whole night, and I could hear them.

Marrok gave Kaara a passionate kiss before turning to Fiammetta on the throne. “Hello, Lady Fiammetta,” he greeted.

Fiammetta watched their kiss with her usual icy expression.

“What do you have for me, wolf?” Fiammetta asked.

The wolf showed off his resourcefulness. Of course, he’d been here longer than I.

Fiammetta listened attentively. Occasionally, she darted a glance in my direction, especially when I offered my military knowledge. The witch on the throne was completely different than the woman I’d fucked almost every night since my crash. 

At night, Fiammetta was a flame that burned through ice. This witch was pure ice and power, yet equally appealing. No matter which face she wore, her presence always punched into my soul, and my primal male need roared in response.

Tonight, I’d fuck her again.