Cederic.

Luna twisted around, her heart pounding, nearly cracking her ribs.

He looked the part of a magnificent kid as usual.

Too bad she didn't have the time to defend herself when Catriona's paws connected with her back and sent her flying forward.

As Luna righted herself, somebody rushed over.

Damn it.

Luna wouldn't be foolish enough to give Catriona her back again.

With a glance, Luna rasped at Catriona, "You should have been a snake instead of a leopard."

Catriona shifted back to her human form, standing in front of them in all her naked glory, a smug expression lifting her lips once more.

At least Luna had gotten a few good blows in.

Catriona's lips were cracked and bleeding and a bruise had already begun to form under one of her eyes.

There was no telling what Luna would look like, though.

Without fear and rage to fuel her adrenaline, her knuckles throbbed and her facial muscles ached.

"What the hell is going on?" a bald man whose head looked like polished mahogany approached them and demanded.

Luna strode to Catriona's side, though remaining out of striking distance. "This isn't over, bitch."

Cederic's eyes strayed from Catriona to Luna and from her to Catriona.

Luna wondered which of them caused his pupils to dilate, his nostrils to flare and his fangs to lengthen.

"Out!" the bald man, who was probably a eunuch since he wore their robes although it was just a tad more colourful and fancier, snapped.

Both she and Catriona jolted in response, though neither of them obeyed.

"Out!" he repeated, harsher this time.

They heard the scampering of footsteps behind them as the other harem girls, the eunuchs, the servants, and even Lady Clarence, fled the scene.

When there was silence, the eunuch crossed his arms over his chiselled chest.

"There will be no fighting between the two of you. Understand?"

"Yes," Catriona said, clearly wanting to please this man as she quickly put on her transparent clothing again. "But I was only defending myself. She attacked me."

This lying bitch!

"This High Consort deserved every punch I landed and nothing can stop me. She insulted the Consorts," Luna told the eunuch. "Next time, I'm not going to stop until she's unconscious. Until she knows that respect begets respect. This kind of bullying must be stopped."

Catriona let out a mock gasp, deciding to play the victim.

The eunuch blinked at Luna, shock forming in those sharp brown eyes.

Somebody whooped behind Luna and she turned.

"Hello, love. Nice to see you again." Grinning, Cederic leaned a shoulder against the door frame.

He was so savagely beautiful. He could be a painting come to life. "I hear you have been projecting your blood lust onto the High Consorts, too. You must have been a vampire in your past life."

"You are making me jealous," he added with his gaze on her.

Luna's brows furrowed in confusion.

Was he flirting with her?

The last time they were together in the same room, they tried to tear out each other's throats.

The eunuch cleared his throat and said stiffly, "I need a moment with the women."

"Well, I need a moment with the consort. The were-leopard is all yours, Vali. Scold her all you like," Cederic laughed, and Vali clenched his jaw.

He remained silent.

"I'll be taking this problematic consort to my chambers to give her the tongue lashing she deserved."

"But the banquet tonight—"

"I'll help her prepare."

"But her gown—"

"Vali, I have a chest full of garments for my Escorts." Cederic interrupted gently, never losing his grin. "It wouldn't be so hard for her to try them on to find the one that fits. Besides, I'm looking forward to deciding which dress suits her best."

"Don't do anything inappropriate." Vali scowled. "They are still the King's property."

"I always do." Cederic said, and then he faced her, "Let's hurry to my room, love. I'll help you prepare for the festivities tonight. As much as I'd like to see my Escorts jealous, I don't want a repeat of what happened earlier if they see you around with me."

Cederic looked her over, his grey eyes smouldering on the shape of her body.

He placed her hand against his arm. "I've seen blood on your skin a couple of times already. You don't have to raise more of my appetites to get my attention, Luna."

+++

Edited by RedPandaChick