They looked like they had the potential to be a really cute couple. As new as Sanyi was to the world, she wanted nothing more than to finally see Raziel happy with all the hardships she has had to face. Things started going south for the angel just before they met. Nothing had been easy since. The wyvern prayed that Raziel would find peace with the man. He appeared sweet. What she felt from Raziel was nothing shy of sheer joy. There was something about Bryce Trivon that made the angel happy, and that meant everything to Sanyi.

As she left the angel to be enchanted by the young noble, Sanyi’s icy blue gaze searched for her mate. Knowing him, he was close by, glaring at the man who had his little sister on his arm. Sure enough, there Ensarrian Irre was, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. He was beginning to get more aggravated by the little things lately, but Sanyi was sure it was because more people were beginning to be sweet on Raziel. Sanyi sauntered up to her mate and wrapped her arms around one of his, pressing into it as she almost leaned into him.

”What does a girl have to do around here to get some refreshments?” she asked before kissing his cheek. She raised a hand from his arm to use a single finger to turn his chin toward her, forcing his ember gaze to change focus for a minute. ”Bryce seems nice, Ensarrian. He’s just a friend.” ’So far,’ Sanyi thought to herself mischievously. ”Raziel can take care of herself, and she’ll let me know when she needs help. Until then, relax… Be with me.”

Ensarrian was more irritated lately than ever. If his food wasn’t cooked properly he yelled about it. If someone didn’t look at him, or Sanyi or Raziel, right, it became a struggle not to rip their throats out. Every little thing—and now he had to endure this. Watching sweet little Raziel being entertained by a fancy little pissant who surely only wanted her in his bed and leave her broken hearted. Not to mention the damn suit Ensarrian’s forced to wear just to look “presentable”. He huffed with impatience as he loosened his collar and undid every button on his jacket. He felt like he was suffocating.

He kept his glare on the blond suitor escorting Raziel, hoping it would become deathly enough to set his sorry little ass on fire. He kept himself away from the party, watching from the outskirts while leaned against a wall. His mate eventually managed to find him. Her arms entwined with his own. He let out a little groan as his “response”. She and Raziel were the only ones who he never lashed out at. Sanyi, as his mate, was well aware of his recent hostilities because he confided in her. But he never dared to yell at her. Never laid a hand on her.

He almost snarled at the remark that the boy was “just a friend” to Raziel. Ensarrian knew what young boys wanted from kind pretty girls like Raziel. He himself had been tempted before with Isedora, but he only got hurt in the end. And that’s not including all of the other girls he found attractive but never spared him a second glance. Now he had a mate to share those urges with. He was tied to her; mates for life. But, Bryce was not. He could hop around in as many women’s beds as he pleased. “I only see disaster,” he grumbled moments before Sanyi forced him to look at her. Their eyes met at her request. Her ice blue eyes were so cool, like water dousing the fire in his blazing pools and blood.

He sighed with defeat and wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close. “As you wish,” he whispered into her hair. “This night is meant for you and I and no other.” He kissed her head. “Shall I get you a drink?”

Ensarrian was so cute when he was angry. It was as if he was a little angry puppy wanting the sweet angel to stay sweet and pure forever. While Sanyi was pretty sure that Bryce was just looking for an enjoyable company, she knew all too well what her mate was thinking about him. Parties and events tended to be dull and drag on far too long when one is not entertained enough. The letter Bryce had sent sounded more friendly than romantic, but Sanyi could not resist dolling the angel up for the occasion regardless.

"You see pain from a personal experience. Besides, isn't she the older of us?" Raziel was also the most stable of the three of them, the least tortured. She had the kindest past, creating a soothing temperament in the angel. But she won in distracting her mate so he wrapped his arm around her. Sanyi hummed in approval of the closeness. "No, we shall go and get a drink, together." She really did not want to be separated from him for longer than she had to be. He had quickly become her strength and light in the dark.

Before they got going, she snuggled against him momentarily, taking in his scent. As they began to follow Bryce and Raziel toward the stairs, Sanyi interlaced her fingers with his. While she has had her freedom for some time now, it still felt strange to be so close to another being. It was still so strange to be in a crowd this large, though she was getting better at not always looking for the danger behind everyone's eyes. But Solmundr was still out there somewhere, so she could not let herself grow too complacent. "Don't suppose we will see Nelanna here. How is she doing?"