The Aspect of Essence (The Aelfyn Archives, #1)

by Samantha Amstutz

Jassyn rose from his seat. His limbs shook, expelling an echo of his outrage. Forcibly unclenching his hand, he let the document tumble to the floor. Discarding it. Bracing his knuckles on his desk, Jassyn leaned forward. He saw red, his vision igniting with a wild, incandescent rage. He had no desire to engage in whatever game the prince devised. “So…what exactly?” Jassyn’s chest heaved with disbelief. “I’m to service you now?” Vesryn’s eyes widened before the color drained from his face. He opened his mouth, but Jassyn shoved words between them first. His voice wavered with an unrecognizable hostility. “You claimed exclusive rights to me.” Perhaps Serenna’s statement about his submissiveness haunted him, or perhaps the remnants of that scarlet Stardust made him erratic. Either way, something reinforced him, snapping his composure like an oar breaking in half. Uncalled, Jassyn’s magic erupted. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d lost control. It didn’t matter—the Essence shimmering around him was useless. Just like everything else about him. Jassyn lunged across his desk. Seizing Vesryn’s leathers, he hauled his cousin toward him.