*~ Hazel's POV~*
I walked over to the table where the coins were laid and calmly packed all of them with a soft, smug smile. The crowd murmured as I scooped up my winnings. Then, as if on cue, all three ceremonial masks were brought out to honor the winner.
With grace, I made my way to the man I had bet on.
"Merci, Mademoiselle," he said with a French accent, bowing as he gently pecked my hand. "Thank you for believing in me."
He leaned in as if to kiss my hand again, but before he could, Cyrius appeared and yanked my hand away from the man's grasp, pulling me protectively behind him.
"Careful," Cyrius said, his voice low. "She's my wife."
I ripped my hand from his grip.
"Careful, husband. He's just greeting me."
But Cyrius wasn't done. He seized my wrist again and dragged me away from the crowd, pulling me into a more secluded area between the trees, away from prying eyes.
"What are you doing?" I demanded, yanking myself free.
"No—what are you doing?" he snapped.
