All Thorns Eve by Diana Rose Wilson

Author:Diana Rose Wilson [Wilson, Diana Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Torrid Books
Published: 2018-02-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Wakefulness came slowly to Nina. Awareness peeled back from a troubled dream. Her father had been screaming in a rage. God, he hadn’t lost his temper like that in years.

In the dream she brought her lover, the figure of Anubis with his impeccable suit and steel mask, to meet the family. But the Jackal refused to remove the disguise for dinner. He loomed down the end of the table, a silent statue while the rest of the family ate. The polished silver clinked and scraped harshly against the china dishes. Finally, her father demanded that he remove the mask so they could see what sort of man he was.

“You will show your worth as guardian of our first and only born. You must promise your shield to her for your days and into the next life.” They were old words, heavy with as much meaning as the fists held to chests. Showing worth. Promising shields and swords like a blood oath.

Jackal unbuckled the steel as her father roared his outrage. When he unhinged the cage that had concealed him, the great, golden warmth trapped inside exploded out in a blast of light. She woke up in a start, blinded and startled out of her nap.

Her pulse thumped wildly, and stars filled her head. She put a hand between her breasts, her heart galloping inside her as if it wanted to be free.

The tears had eased her heart, or perhaps the sleep had softened the frustration. With the distance of a few hours she realized how ridiculous she was for getting wrapped up in someone she wouldn’t see outside of this place. Her father’s words from the dream whispered back to her like an echo. Anyone she saw in her real life would need the ability to handle her intense family. She doubted such a person existed.

What she needed was no strings fun. Throwing her heart into a grinder wasn’t part of the deal. What happened in the house stayed in the house and did not extend into her reality. She would get a grip and find her friends. Plenty of guests traded partners the second night. She would find someone new. Bear or Badger always switched to someone different on Saturday night. If they did swap, maybe she could get one of their playmates.

That idea didn’t bring her any pleasure. Nina liked the way her friends responded to those men. She wanted them to enjoy the whole weekend with the lovers they had selected.

With a sigh she sat up, trying to figure out how long she’d been out there as she adjusted her mask. The tears had left her eyes feeling puffy and itchy. When she came out the lawn was empty. From the sounds coming over the hedge, the gardens were now full of guests. When the piano music began to play, she realized she must have napped longer than she’d thought. For the life of her she couldn’t recall what event was scheduled out here.

Foxy had said something about swimming.

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