I glance at Pika. This would be an excellent time for her to attack Dimitri, but she seems bewildered by the chaos.
Dimitri clutches me tight. “You’re confused, and I’ve hurt you, but I promise I will fix everything.”
Dimitri holdsa drink out to me. “This will make you feel better.”
I snort. “You really think I’m going to drink something you’ve had your hands on?”
Dimitri purses his lips so hard they go white, and he works to hold back his temper. “How many times do I have to tell you I’m sorry?”
“How many times do I have to tell you I don’t care?” I lounge across the furs on his cot, stroking Pika. I look away and sigh with disdain. I do it just to frustrate him further.
It works.
“Why are you being so difficult? What do I need to do? Beg?” Dimitri falls to his knees and grabs my hand. “Grovel?”
Entertainers are nothing if not dramatic.
I eye the stone hanging from his neck. “Give me the stone.”
He freezes, and his face goes carefully blank. “You want it now?”
“If you’re sorry, then you’ll show me by giving it back.” I lean forward, my eyes boring into his. “If you truly love me, you will prove it.” I smile, letting my words fully sink in. “Let it be a token of your affection.”
He drops my hand and stands with his back to me.
“What’s wrong, Dimitri?” I ask. “Did you never intend to part with it?”
He whips around. “I need it for just a little longer.”
“Of course you do.”
Dimitri sits on the bed, his eyes wild. “I have debts, Anwen. I must pay them.”
I narrow my eyes. “What does that have to do with my stone?”
He grabs the chain around his neck. “In the time I’ve had this, it has brought in more money than we made the entire last season.”
“So, you’re saying once you’ve made enough to pay back your debts, you’ll give me the stone?”
He nods, his expression easing as though he’s relieved we’ve come to an understanding. “Yes. I promise.”
The lies fall from his mouth so easily; it doesn’t surprise me I fell for them at one time.
“Fine.” I wave him away. “You may leave.”
“You are in my tent,” he says, trying hard to keep his words even.
I turn to Pika and stroke her again before I meet his eyes and say slowly, “I don’t care.”
Dimitri’s gaze lands on the cat. Though she makes him nervous, he has a greedy glint in his eye. Knowing Dimitri, he already has plans for her. After all, who wouldn’t want to see a tame glasseln?
He flashes me a flirtatious smile, and he runs a finger along my collar bone. His voice silky and dark, he says, “I had hoped we could be as we were before.”
I match his tone, leaning forward. “I had hoped you wouldn’t steal my horse and leave me alone in the woods. Sometimes we’re destined for disappointment.”
The anger he’s been so careful to mask shows on his face now. He yanks his hand back. “Why can’t you forgive me?”
“Is it true you found out about the changeling stone while you were in Vernow?”
