“Zeno can try,” Thal whispered against my skin, his lips brushing my ear and making my knees quake. “But I would burn this entire city to ash before I let Rhea or Zeno put a single finger on you again. You aren’t a debt to be paid, Daphne. You’re the prize they’re going to lose. And I’m the only one who's keeping you.”
“Have a seat. I’ll be right there,” I said, heading to the kitchen.
My fingers trembled while pouring his wine from a fresh bottle, and as I returned it to him, I felt my knees quake.
Why did he have such a strong effect on my body? I was attracted to Thal and wanted to appear calm and confident, not like a nervous girl.
I handed him the glass, my fingers trembling. He tracked me, his gaze a physical weight. I didn't want to smile. I wanted to scream, or run, or pull him into me until there was no space left for Zeno’s threats to breathe. He wasn't there to soothe my worries—he was there to replace them with a much more dangerous hunger.
But that wasn’t his job.
It was mine.
“I’m assuming you went over the materials I sent you?”
“Yes, of course. Thank you for sharing them with me. I know you didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to,” he said with a shrug. “I think it’s important that you have all the information so you can make an informed decision.”
“I agree. it’s very helpful.”
“So?” he asked, looking over at me pointedly.
“So, what?”
“Did you make a decision? Will you work with me to bring down Rhea?”
“I don’t believe you need me. You appear to be managing well on your own, judging by the amount of information you’ve uncovered.”
“I do need you. I want you.” His words carried an underlying meaning. His eyes were dark and intense, never ceasing their relentless scrutiny of my every move.
“But do you trust me?” I asked, instinctively wishing I could take those words back. He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head to the side.
“If I didn’t trust you, Daphne, I wouldn’t be sitting here. I wouldn’t have invited you into my bed. I certainly wouldn’t have shared top-secret intel with you.”
“I’ll interpret that as a yes, then.”
He gazed at me for a few moments before speaking again. “Your difficulty in trusting me is the issue, isn’t it?”
His direct gaze was unsettling and made me feel uneasy. I averted my eyes, unable to endure his probing into my soul any longer.
I stood up, walked over to the window, and looked out at the sky.
“This is a lot to ask, Thal.”
“I know,” he replied, setting his glass down.
“I’m not sure I can do this,” I admitted, my raw honesty carving tremor through my chest.
“You can accomplish anything you set your mind to, Daphne.”
I whispered, “You don’t know me, Thal.”
My reflection shimmered in the window. I watched a single tear escape and roll down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away with the back of my hand, but the damage was done.
He saw it. No longer the confident, cool, unshakable woman I wanted to be.
I felt my composure waver.
