Page 47 of Villainous Greed
I tightened my hold on Nova. “Tell me what to say? Please. Everything I say angers her. What do I do to make her happy? I’ll do it.”
Melinda clasped her hands. “I lied to Nova. She’s an exceptional proxy. She should have no problem controlling her magic. It’s her emotions she can’t control.”
I frowned. “You can’t expect her to be okay after everything we’ve discovered.”
“I know the memory was hard on her. But her emotions weren’t out of control because of that.”
“I don’t understand.”
“August…” Melinda pushed a curl off Nova’s forehead.“Your mate has never known freedom or normalcy. The only family shehad died. As far as you’re concerned, you could have been a light in the darkness for her or someone else to fear.Either way, she thought you were going to free her, but that didn’t happen. And nowyou’ve told her you’re her mate.”
Melinda continued, “Nova had two reactions when you mentioned Sofia.”
“Nova loves Sofia,” I said. “It’s only natural for her emotions to overwhelm her.”
Melinda pursed her lips, then asked, “Are you sure that’s the reason? You don’t wonder if, perhaps, she doesn’t like the idea of you being with another woman?”
“What are you implying? Sofia is family.” Sofia was the only part of mine and Nova’s family I saved that day. Of course, I always protected her. Sofia had approached me romantically once, long ago, but I told her the truth. I only saw her as a sister. I looked around the room to make sure no one else was around before mumbling, “I’m a virgin.”
Melinda quirked a brow. “I know, you snake. You can’t fool my sights with your harem, but tell me. Do you think Nova knows about your harem? Do you think she can believe you’ve never lain with a woman?”
My heart felt like it dropped to my boots. “Oh, fuck.”
“I’ll never claim to know what someone’s thinking, but imagine realizing you have one thing that’s yours and only yours. Then find out it’s been everywhere but with you. Personally, I’d be angry and sad.”
“You’re not helping. No one has passed me around!” Whispering, I admitted, “My cock hasn’t been the same since I lost Nova.”
Melinda’s nose wrinkled. “That’s something I don’t need to know. Besides, saying that doesn’t make it sound better.”
I glanced at Nova in my arms. Fuck, she was beautiful, and I was so screwed. “I can’t see her being upset or jealous when she hated the idea of sex.”
“She’s not a child anymore. Imagining having one thing—”
“Don’t say it again.” I groaned.
“Well, Nova is your mate. She’s the one person in this world destined to be with you. Just imagine being locked away, and she was with a whole harem of men.”
My face burned. The idea of Nova being with someone else made my chest tighten.“Oh, fuck,” I muttered again.
“Oh, fuck, indeed.”
“I can fix this. She’ll see the truth.”
“I hope so.”
“Stop smirking, witch. Why are you guys the most irritating bunch in the Underworld?”
“Funny you say that when your mate is a witch.”
“Exactly. She’s the most stubborn creature in both worlds.” I leaned closer to her and kissed her forehead. “But I’m the lucky bastard who gets to say she’s mine.”
I said goodbye to Melinda and headed for the hallway, where I sensed Maureen lurking. She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms and propping one foot up.
“You know, it’s rude to eavesdrop,” I said.
She regarded Nova, still in my arms.
I tightened my hold on Nova. “You won’t hurt my mate. Ever. I don’t care what she’s done.”