Within moments, a waiter appears, offering us each a glass of champagne. Ivy reaches out for one, only to have it commandeered by my fingers with a dark look cast her way.

I swirl the glass in my hand, sniffing the alcohol before I drain it in two swallows. Once it is returned to the tray and the server disappears, Ivy peers up at me with a cold smile.

"There's no need to refuse me a drink," she says sweetly. "It seems you have not done your job and produced a child in me. Perhaps, I was wrong about your potency after all."

My fingertips dig into her arm as I glare down at her. I was already aware of her unwanted visitor this morning. Antonia informed me with a whispered voice before she shuffled away and left me to stew in my irritation. But Ivy is being purposely spiteful, and I will not have that. I am considering my reproach when another masked man appears. He is well dressed in a formal suit, and his presence here means he is a Sovereign Son. But I don't recognize who he could be until he speaks in a low greeting.

"Santiago." He dips his head in a nod. "Would you mind having a word?"

I am surprised to find it is Angelo lurking beneath the mask, still clearly in disguise. I did not expect to see him again, particularly in New Orleans, as I assumed he would be back in Seattle dealing with his own revenge plans.

I nod and look at my wife before my eyes find my sister across the room.

"Go join Mercedes," I tell her. "She can introduce you to a few people while I have a word."

"I'm going to the bathroom." She tilts her chin up at me defiantly. "And then I will join your sister. But I don't need her introductions. I'm perfectly capable of conducting myself."

I lean down to growl in her ear, gripping her arm in warning. "Then you can start by watching how you speak to me. Don't fool yourself into believing I won't punish you in public. In fact, I would take great pleasure in doing so for all my brethren to witness. Don't test me, Ivy."

She yanks herself away and gathers a handful of the fabric of her dress, treating us to a view of her exposed back as she stalks away and disappears into the crowd.

32

Ivy

As soon as I am out of his line of vision, I take a flute of champagne off a passing waiter’s tray. I half expect someone to stop me. My husband has eyes and ears everywhere. But no one does, and I turn to glance casually over my shoulder as I bring the crystal to my lips and sip.