What else was he supposed to say now?
Cassia ignored him, and glared at her daughter, "Get. Off. The pet," Cassia commanded, her voice dangerously quiet. "And meet me outside. Now! You have guests."
"Whoa, pet?" Zaeryn shot back, his voice a low growl despite the awkwardness of his position. He wasn't going to stand for that. Being called names. "Don't you think that's a little harsh? I prefer 'valued companion' or, you know, 'the guy currently inside your daughter'."
Cassia's eyes, which had been fixed on Sage, snapped to him. The look she gave him wasn't just anger; it was pure, unadulterated disgust, as if he were a particularly resilient piece of filth she'd found on her shoe. "You will be silent," she hissed, "while the adults are speaking."
Before Zaeryn could retort, Sage shifted. Instead of getting off him, she leaned down, capturing his mouth in a slow, deep kiss right in front of her mother.
