"Lyssa!" Maegel barked, his face flushed with a mix of jealousy and miasma-induced rage. "Get away from her, demon!"
Jerome straightened up, a mocking, elegant smile playing on his lips. He looked at Maegel with the bored indifference one might show a yapping dog.
"The negotiations are concluded for the day," Jerome announced, his voice carrying an authority that even the Duke didn't challenge. "Our guests are tired. Let them be shown to the guest wing. We shall resume when the air is… clearer."
He looked back at me, the stars in his eyes dancing. "I look forward to our next conversation, Lady Lyssa. I suspect you have much to teach us about trade… and other, more interesting things." His eyes traveled to my lips and then back to my eyes.
I stood up, scooping Ashen into my arms. The pup watched Jerome with a wary curiosity, his golden eyes reflecting the demon's violet ones.
