"I heard you hit Carla," Nico said without preamble.
"I didn't hit her," Mara corrected, crossing her arms. "I slapped her hand away. There's a difference."
Nico studied her for a long moment with an unreadable expression. Then, to her surprise, the corner of his mouth twitched.
It wasn't quite a smile, but it was very close to one… at least from what she'd seen from him so far.
"She says you're acting above your station," he said.
"I'm the Regent. She's your... ex? Fiancée? I don't know, but she's got some serious boundary issues." Mara lifted her chin. "She probably thinks I'm trying to steal you from her or something."
Nico's eyes darkened, and something dangerous and amusing flickered in their depths.
"And are you?" he asked quietly, taking a step toward her.
Mara's breath caught. "What?"
"Trying to steal me." He took another step closer. "From Carla."
"I…" Mara's back hit the wall behind her. She hadn't even realized she'd been retreating. "That's not… I didn't mean…"
