“Not practical,” he finished for her. “To you, perhaps, but I’ll show you just why it’s practical once you disrobe.” He continued shifting the dagger between his fingers with expert skill as he studied her. “I’m done debating. Either agree or don’t.”
“Fine,” she replied. “I accept your irrational request.” Nudity never bothered her. She kicked off her boots, yanked off her already unfastened jeans, removed her blouse and undergarments, and then held out her hand. “Knives.”
His lips twitched. “Eager to fight me, darling?”
No. He proved himself more than capable when he pinned her against the wall. A half-breed should not boast that kind of strength, but Osiris’s bloodline superseded her own. And apparently, his son inherited similar talents.
“I wish to finish our agreement so I may go on my way.”
“Do you now?” He flipped the sharp items in his hand and held the handles out to her. “My bedroom is down the hall. I’ll meet you there in five minutes.”
She eyed him curiously. “You do not wish to start now?”
“No, angel. Part of the fun is anticipation. You’ll see.”
She doubted that greatly but took her knives anyway. “Then I shall await you in the bedroom.”
“Excellent.”
Lying with a half-breed. That probably broke a rule somewhere, but he shouldn’t exist to begin with, so she doubted one had ever been written.
She needed Osiris’s location to deliver her message; therefore, this remained within the terms of her purpose. So what if a small part of her felt enlightened by the occasion to experience something new. It wasn’t every day she mingled with mortality. This could very easily be chalked up to a learning opportunity. An in-depth exploration of the intimacies of the human world.
Yes.
All right.
Decided, she gave him a nod and started toward his room.
If anything, he would prove her theories right about drawn-out sexual intercourse being an unnecessary human act. Pleasure held meaningless principles. He would soon realize the uselessness of this arrangement, but at least she would have her information.
And maybe his life.
Perfection.
Curves, legs for days, long blonde hair, easily reddened skin… Oh, yes, Sethios would enjoy this very much.
But he wanted to teach Caro the art of anticipation first. The woman thought she had this all figured out, that she would remain unfeeling and passionless, but he saw the interest in her vibrant blue eyes. She didn’t understand it and would definitely fight it, but he intended to win her over in the end.
Caro would bathe in pleasure, over and over again.
He sipped his fresh glass of wine and smiled. This was one way to cap off an otherwise monotonous evening. The latest Conclave had resulted in two poor souls meeting his father’s wrath in front of an audience.
Sethios once enjoyed the torture sessions, but lately, they lost their flair and allure. He understood the point was to strike fear in the hearts of the Ichorians and keep them in line, but the repetitious nature of it all had grown old over the centuries.
Something big was coming. He felt it in every fiber of his being but didn’t know what. Perhaps Caro was the instigator, or just her message was.
It would be a shame to send her away in the morning. His father would undoubtedly torture and maim her before sending her back with his own message to the High Council. Just like he did the last time they sent someone to deliver an edict.
Why would they send such a beautiful creature here? They had to know she would suffer his wrath.
He set the crystal glass on the counter with a shrug.
Oh well. Not his business. He promised her a location and would give it, after he introduced her to pleasure beyond her wildest dreams. What she did from there didn’t concern him.
He unbuttoned his dress shirt and tossed it onto the heap of clothes on the floor.
The way she undressed so effortlessly had entertained him immensely. A woman comfortable in the nude was rare these days, but Caro seemed perfectly at ease. Her confidence was underlined in ignorance, something he would enjoy fixing. By the time he finished with her, she wouldn’t recognize herself.
