“You don’t even know me.”
He closed his eyes. “I know you are a mage whose blood is delicious. I know you’re feisty. Any other human might give in and be a victim. Cry, beg, bargain. You fight. And it hurts. I like that part very much.” The corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile. “I also know your dreams, your memories.”
I glanced at the gentle rise and fall of his chest. He seemed so relaxed and unbothered. His peaceful face was sweet with his eyes closed. Still annoyingly handsome. I glanced down to his waist. His dagger was hooked in a sheath. I looked back to his face; his eyes were still closed. Could I take his dagger? What would I do? They’d never seemed concerned about my magic before, but if he didn’t see it coming, could I pierce his heart and escape? Were they lying about there not being any other options? Maybe I could find weaker fae willing to help me. It felt bad to think of attacking him after he’d gotten all these things for me, but I would be a fool to trust them. I was a prisoner, and I needed to control what happened to me. My days of letting the world shuffle me along to any old place were long gone.
I slowly moved my hand in the direction of his dagger, moving my eyes between the dagger and his face. “How long were you violating my mind?”
He blew out a breath. “A couple of hours.”
I snarled, heat and humiliation rising up my neck. Who knew what the hell he saw? My memories and dreams could have held anything. He definitely saw more than what box hair color I used. My hand was now hovering over the dagger. I had quick fingers, I could grab it, no problem. “You violated my mind.”
“I got caught up. You have an interesting history.”
My hand shot down and gripped the handle of the dagger, pulling it out in one swift motion. I then brought it down toward the middle of his chest. I didn’t know if stabbing him in the chest would kill a fae, but it would hurt him.
His hands caught the dagger by the blade inches before the pointed end pierced his skin. The blade sliced into his palms, red blood dripping down onto his chest. I looked up to his eyes, which were now open. He gave me a wide grin and then moved my free hand up to the blade of his dagger, dragging my palm across the weapon as it sliced deep into my skin as well. I sucked in a painful breath as hot pain seared into me. I tried to remove my hand, but he held it tightly to the blade.
My arm shook, and I pressed my lips together, refusing to scream as the cut deepened. His eyes glowed as he watched my face and then focused on our now entwined fingers over the dagger, his other bloodied hand tight against my own. “Like I said, you are a treasure. Scream for me, Lila.”
My face shook with pain, but I refused to give in. He bit his bottom lip, releasing a groan. It hurt like hell but damn, it was kind of sexy to watch his reaction. The pain was hot and stabbing, but my lower region sparked with interest as my eyes lowered to below his waist. It was very obvious that he was excited, and I was once again reminded how well-endowed he was underneath his pants. This pain was turning him on, but shit, he wasn’t the only one. A quick image of him on top of me, feeling him pumping inside me, our bodies smeared with blood, flashed before my eyes. What was wrong with me?
I looked back up to his eyes, and he grinned as if knowing what was going on in my head. He chuckled. “You are a pretty thing, aren’t you? Don’t worry. I will make you scream very soon.” He removed the hand on top of mine and reached down to adjust himself.
I looked away and cradled my injured hand in my other one. He sat up and grabbed my wounded hand. I tried to pull it back, but it was useless. The guy was stupid strong.
He smiled again as he lowered his head and slowly ran his tongue over my sliced palm, eyes remaining on mine. It was healing, just like the previous night, but damn if it didn’t feel good. The smooth wetness of his tongue on the sensitive nerves of my hand shot straight to my core. I parted my lips, letting out a breath, as he continued to lick. Shit, was I getting wet off this?
Xander’s eyes fluttered, and his hand went back to his crotch, caressing himself. My traitorous clit buzzed at the sight of him pleasuring himself. This was so inappropriate, and yet, such a turn-on.
I could not let this happen.
I snatched my hand back, looking down at the now clean, wound-free palm. “Fuck you,” I whispered.
He scooted closer to me, his eyes still hazy. “Darling, I hope so, and very soon.”
“You are out of your mind if you think I would ever have sex with you.”
“Then clearly I’m crazy because the way you responded just now makes me think it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
He noticed everything, the creepy spy. He’d already gotten into my head; I wasn’t letting him in anywhere else. I pointed to the door. “Thanks for the stuff. Now get out.”
Xander gave a groan of dissatisfaction and jumped off the bed. “I will wear you down, my pretty thing.”
He headed to the door, and when he opened it, a tiny woman with enormous eyes stood in front of him holding a tray. She was dressed in a simple purple apron dress with a black blouse underneath. She gave me a welcoming smile before stepping forward. I didn’t feel anything deadly from her, but it didn’t mean I would trust her just because she had a friendly face.
Xander grabbed the tray from her and sat it down beside me. “Breakfast in bed, my lady.”
He then gave me a salute and left, leaving me and the woman behind.
The woman walked further into the room, toward the windows. “I’m Zelda, the housekeeper. Master Yosef has told me your circumstance,” she explained as she opened the curtains.
Dim light, like a cloudy day, surrounded my space. I assumed it was the sun, but then again, they had a pink moon, so I had no clue what their daylight entailed. I looked down at the tray of food. It looked like food from my realm. Eggs, pastries, meats, fruits and vegetables, along with what looked like juice and tea. It smelled divine, but I knew better than to eat anything from the fae realm. I’d heard the tales. You’d eat something and never want to leave or never be able to leave, forever bound to the realm.
Zelda began to pick up the many products and clothes scattered about. I raised my hand to stop her. “Oh, no, I can do all that.”
She didn’t stop moving. “No worries, you just eat.”
I looked back down at the food wearily. She paused, noticing my suspicious face. “I didn’t poison it, dear. And if you think I’ve done something to it that might prevent you from going home, well, have no worries. From what I understand, you’re already stuck here, so it would be useless. Not to mention that trickery isn’t my thing. You need to keep your strength up and eat. No sense denying yourself.”
