The Unveiling (D'Shar Men 2)

"Wait, you two?" Phelan gestured toward them with his index finger.

"Yes," Bastien said.

"What? When?" Phelan’s eyes were wide, his face twisted into an expression of bewilderment that made him snort.

"Awhile ago," Bastien said.

"How? You've been around each other before … The Purge?"

"The what?" Zasha asked. Her query broke the tension that had built in the hallway.

"A very risky, idiotic, procedure that blocks The Wanting along with a good seventy-five percent plus of your emotions." Phelan kept his gaze fixed on Bastien as he spoke. This was not the way I wanted him to find out.

"You owe me a conversation later," Phelan said. His lips were stretched into a line, and his jaw was tight.

"I know. I need to walk Rivka out first."

"I can find my—"

"No. Now that the secrets out, there's no reason to sneak around." He was proud to have Rivka as his mate, and now everyone would know. A thrill of excitement zinged through him. In a lot of ways this was perfect timing. Phelan was going to be pissed off no matter how he broke it to him. Now it was one less obstacle in the way of a solid relationship with Rivka.

"My office in fifteen?" Phelan asked.

"I'll be there."

They parted ways, and Rivka glanced up at him as they walked. "I didn’t mean to cause any trouble."

"It had to come out sooner or later, and I always prefer sooner."

"Do you think he's really upset?"

"Phelan takes everything on himself. Like a parent trying to bear the brunt of pain for their child. He's been that way since Mom and Dad were killed. It's too much weight on one man's shoulders. Having Zasha has changed that a lot, but I can see we've still a ways to go."

"What do you think he'll do?"

"Lecture me until my head wants to explode."

She snickered.

"You think I'm kidding?" he asked.

"It's hard to picture you getting lectured by anyone."

&nb

sp; "Despite my outward appearances he is still very much the elder brother."

"Oh to be a fly on the wall."

"You're enjoying this a little too much, Riv. I had no idea a Star Maiden could be so bloodthirsty."

"Just me, I'm quite special, you see. There's never been a maiden quite like me, longest reign and all of that."

He risked a glance over to see if the comment was a dig. She caught his gaze and winked. Nope, it was a joke. If you told him a few months ago his perfect match would have a wicked sense of humor he never would've believed it. Just one of the million ways his perception had been turned on its head.

"Well, this is my stop." Rivka gestured to the door behind her.

"I feel like if I say thank you, you'll slap me."