Cinder’s bucking hips erase the thought as she comes underneath me, muttering the word please on repeat like a prayer.
She milks me so intensely, I know I’m finished.
Doing my best to keep the pace going, I pound into her, drawing out her orgasm even as I’m gripped by mine.
A strangled cry escapes me as I explode, shooting my cold desire into her.
I can't help but imagine her skin under my fangs, her blood rushing over my tongue. It must taste as smoky and sweet as she does. My hunger rages like a firestorm, threatening to consume me whole.
Cinder's eyes flutter open, still dizzy with the aftermath of our encounter. Her expression is soft and trusting. I don’t know which is more responsible for it, finding the Ember of Midnight for her, or the sex.
I’m hit in the chest with a sledgehammer of unworthiness.
I’m scum.
I’m worthless.
I am not suited for responsibility or anything of importance.
And the only girl who can see through all my masks is looking at me like I matter.
Chapter 41
The Starlight Tea
CINDER
So I’m not bailing, like I planned. Somewhere between the studio, the Ember of Midnight, and coming on Prince Charming’s way too talented mouth, I caved.
And now I sit stiffly beside Kai, at the Starlight Tea, my untouched teacup in front of me. And to make matters worse, my stepfamily holds court directly across from us.
At least the setting is picturesque, with the gardens surrounding us and exotic flora indigenous only to Midnight. But even in this beautiful vista, I can’t relax.
Candelabras are lit all around, their flickering light caught by the diaphanous white curtains that serve as a partition. The chairs are plush and luxurious, but the seating arrangement is a cage.
If it were my friends gathered around the long tables instead of these fanged haters and my evil stepfamily, I could see this being a magical time. What girl doesn’t enjoy a tea party?
I can’t bring myself to stomach even a sip of what’s in my china cup. I already know it will taste like bitter resentment and forced interactions.
The only reason I can handle being here now is Kai. He came over to my room in the middle of everyone dressing me beforehand, caught one look at my face, and ordered them all out.
Then he spent twenty minutes fucking the absolute sense out of me until I couldn’t worry about what was to come.
How the fuck did he know I was knotted in so much anxiety it was making me sick?
Kaison took the edge off for me, but the longer I sit here, the higher my nerves begin to climb again.
Marisela is entrenched in conversation with the King, her purple-painted lips curving in a calculated smile. Anastasia keeps throwing Kai sultry looks from beneath lowered lashes, while Drusilla's unnerving stare darts between us, lingering on me just a bit too long each time.
I grip the table edge until my knuckles turn white, fighting the urge to bolt. Kai must sense my unease, because he reaches over and takes my hand in his, lacing our fingers together in a pointed display of unity.
It does little to deter his admirers. If anything, their giggling intensifies, their eyes sharpening with predatory interest. Apparently, being engaged to a human only makes the prince more desirable.
I'm just about to excuse myself, propriety be damned when a familiar approaches our table. The scent of cinnamon wafts through the air as he sets a plate down in front of me.
“What is that?” Anastasia wrinkles her nose in disgust, eyeing the offering like it's roadkill.
Kai leans back, slinging a casual arm behind me. “Humans are accustomed to cake with their tea, and my bride deserves the very best treats.”
