On the south grounds of the castle, Dex was speaking with Hale and Gavriel.
He spotted Serena instantly, stopping mid sentence. Immediately he crossed the distance and pulled her into a kiss before she could say a word.
Her face flushed.
She told herself she didn't know why.
She did.
She knew exactly why. And he was standing next to Hale.
Gav had to know by now that Dex and her were mates. It'd be shocking if he didn't. But guilt still curled low in her stomach, sharp and uninvited.
Dex shoved calm into her through their matebond without warning, causing her to jolt in shock.
He knew exactly why she felt guilty and a little shy now. He didn't like her thinking about any man other than himself. Absolutely not.
Dex's grin turned downright wicked.
"Yeah, no," he said lightly. He hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her straight up over his shoulder.
"Dex!" she yelped as her feet left the ground.
He laughed, deep and delighted, spinning once just to be a menace.
