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I almost laugh, but I catch myself. “This isn’t funny.”
“Alessia—”
“Brother!” A booming voice calls out, heavy boots thundering through the hall.
The moment between us shatters as Rainer steps back.
A figure marches towards us. He looks eerily similar to Rainer, but with slightly darker skin, and his sheared hair shows off soft, rounded ears. He’s shorter and more muscular than Rainer, and dressed in simple, all black leathers—similar to the regalia of Viv and Ken. There’s a scar that cuts through his left eyebrow, and as he gets closer, I see similar scars on his neck and hands.
He must be a warrior—no doubt.
But brother?
“Tynan, keep it down or I’ll put you down.” Rainer presses a finger into his temple. “What an honor to see you in these halls,” he says sarcastically.
“You know I never pass on festivities.”
“Oh, but you always do.”
“And who is this lovely creature?” His eyes turn to me, a darker, stormier blue than Rainer’s. He takes my hand in his, placing a lingering kiss on the back of it as a way of greeting. My skin crawls as he licks his lips.
Rainer moves between the two of us and his brother drops my hand immediately.
“Oh, do tell, is she yours?” His brother asks.
“His?” I balk. I step away, putting space between me and Rainer. “I’m not—” Rainer glances over his shoulder at me, his nostrils flaring in warning before returning his attention to his brother.
Something in his gaze inspires me to keep my mouth shut.
“She is mine,” he hisses with lethal possession.
The words send butterflies through my stomach. The words should terrify me—especially coming from him. But for some reason they give me a feeling of empowerment.
There’s an invisible pull between me and Rainer, and in that moment, I can’t help the possessiveness that overcomes me in response.
He is mine, echoes in my skull. Mine. Mine. Mine.
I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking away the strange feeling.
“Too bad,” Tynan says. “As much as I cherish these delightful reunions, Rainer, I’m informed we have things to discuss.”
Rainer goes rigid. “We do,” he says. “Yet you waited until I sought you out instead of coming to me the moment something was amiss.”
“I’m here now, aren’t I?” Tynan yawns dramatically. “I could use a nap and a meal. How bout it, Prince?” His lips pull up into a smug smile. “Then we can talk Shyga and restless spirits.”
“Spirits?” My eyes bulge.
“You’re drunk.” Rainer sighs. He turns to me and says, “We’re not done with our conversation.” Then he walks past his brother with controlled confidence and a snap of his fingers.
After another pointed look tossed in my direction, Tynan says, “And you, sweet thing, shouldn’t get too comfortable.”
He winks, and I shift uncomfortably.
Tynan follows Rainer. The two of them disappear down the hallway, the click-clack of their boots fading out.
My heart thumps wildly in my chest, and I exhale a long breath. Why haven’t I heard about Rainer’s brother? They don’t seem to get along. Not that Rainer seems to get along with anyone, really.
And what the hell is Shyga? Spirits?
