Anita is slammed by the memory of that smile. Of when they had seen it often. It was a flood of images that Jean-Claude gives to her. That same smile when Asher's hair had been in long locks and the hat on his head graceful with feathers. That smile by candlelight. That smile while they had played chess while Julianna sewed by the fire. That smile in a spill of clean sheets and Julianna's laughter.

It has been too long since they'd seen that smile.

Jean-Claude sweeps away the bedspread, revealing sheets the same color as Asher's eyes, and Anita briefly wonders about that choice. She watches as Asher remains kneeling, and she can see his pulse pounding in his throat. She can taste his fear, like something in the back of her tongue, and she knows she can swallow it, savor it.

It is the part of her that is Richard's, the part of her that is beast, and a low growl spills from her lips as her eyes remain fastened on Asher's throat.