She blinked up at him, one hand going defensively to her throat. “Today’s my wedding day,” she admitted. “I married him.”

His expression didn’t change. “I don’t really give a damn. You knew better, or at least you should have.”

She studied his face, that strong, masculine face. She needed to keep him talking because it was the only defense she had. The sound of their voices, the passage of time. Conner had to come back soon.

She drew in her breath. “Did you tell Imelda about all of us being leopard?”

“Why would I?” He picked up her teacup and moved across the floor to the teapot.

Isabeau covered her sigh of relief with a small throat clearing. He was so big. Intimidating. He seemed invincible to her. And where was Conner? Surely he must have unraveled Ottila’s trail and should be back.

“Imelda should never have taken those kids. I tried to tell her, but she likes being the boss. I knew Adan would never sit still for it. She’s so arrogant she doesn’t listen to her advisors, not even her security advisors.”

“So you’ve left her on her own.”

From the small pack he carried around his neck, he drew a small vial and, thumbing it open, poured it into the cup of tea right in front of her. Her entire body tightened up. She half rose, but he gave her a stern look and she subsided.

“I’m not drinking that.”

“Then we’ll do it the hard way and pour it down your throat. It really is all the same to me, Isabeau.”

“What is it?”

“Not a date rape drug. I haven’t stooped so low that I’d rape a woman. When I take you, it will be because you can’t help yourself, you’ll need me.”

She wasn’t going to argue how illogical that was, not when he was coming at her with the teacup. She leapt out of her chair, this time remembering her cat, calling on the lazy hussy to help out. Why wasn’t she outraged? Why wasn’t she fighting for their survival? For Conner’s survival. And, God help her, where was Conner?

Deep inside her, her cat stirred, scented the air and found her own mark on Ottila. Another rival for her affections. She stretched languorously. Isabeau hissed at her to subside. Where was the famous leopard loyalty? She cursed herself for not knowing the rules.

“What is that?”

“Choose for him, life or death.”