He’s seen me fall apart enough times to know that particular sound is my weakness. It strikes a match inside me—leaves my blood boiling, brain bulging.
Leaves me in a pathetic, coiled, screaming heap.
The side of my face feels to be carved by his stare, much sharper now.
Colder.
He’s waiting to see if I unravel.
“Do you ne—”
“I’m fine,” I snip, lifting my chin and shoving my shoulders back. “In fact, I’ve never been better.”
Lie.
A scream is on the tip of my tongue,beggingfor me to cut its leash. But this time, it has little to do with the surge of pressure flirting with my head.
Things are changing. And I don’t like change. I’m notcomfortablewith change.
I grit my teeth so hard I’m surprised they don’t shatter.
“Are you sure about that?”
The question is flat, but so is my answer.
“Yes.”
“Well,” he bites out, “I’m glad to hear it.”
I stand, staring straight through the wide-open doorway, doing my best to ignore the blatant scour of his scrutiny and the stark blanket of silence that’s befallen the room.
“Excuse me. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. Probably all the ...” I swallow thickly, “shit.”
I walk the long way around the table and head toward the exit, begging the silence to hold.
“Orlaith.”
Rhordyn’s voice casts my feet in stone.
“I’ll be up in thirty minutes,” he rumbles. “Since you’re feeling sofantastic.”
I’m still useful, then.
My lids flutter closed, blood frosting from the feral lilt in his tone—the underlying tune ofneed.
Well, I have needs, too.
My eyes pop open, and I continue walking, hands balled at my sides.
I don’t answer.
Wrapped in a robe that’s too dense against my fervid skin, I pace back and forth, wearing a path into my fluffy rug while I clobber myself with questions. The roaring fire glints off the sharp piece of metal pinched between my thumb and finger ...
The one that knows the softness of my flesh; the taste of my blood. The one that helps me drip into this goblet sloshing with an inch of clear water.
Do I feel safe in this tower?
To a certain extent, yes.
