Malrik POV

“You cannot mate with her.”

Dashira’s tone carried the weight of final judgment.

I exhaled slowly, unsurprised. Of course she would drag this argument into the light.

A faint chuckle slipped from me as I leaned back in my chair. “If you’re so determined to cling to this Zenovia obsession, then perhaps I’ll just keep Dravina as my mistress. No mate. No vows.”

Her answering growl was low, sharp with irritation. “Don’t be absurd, Malrikarion.”

I tilted my ...