Collapsing onto the stone, she buried her face in her hands.A raw sob ripped from her throat, sharp and jagged.Her chest heaved, the force of it shaking her as the dam finally broke.
"Emily."
The voice was low and rough from the darkness behind her.
She didn't jump.Her body knew he was there before her ears registered the sound.
Looking up, she scrubbed at her wet cheeks.
Raaevik stood at the edge of the path.He looked huge in the dim light, a shadow made solid.His hands were clenched at his sides, the leather of his gloves creaking.
"Go away."
He didn't move."I cannot.My duty is to?—"
"To protect the Emperor's mate," she snapped, standing up.Her legs were shaking, but anger flared hot in her chest, burning away the shame."To make sure the broodmare doesn't trip and break her neck before she can do her job."
He flinched."Do not speak of yourself that way."
"Why not?Everyone else does!"She stepped toward him, not caring about the tear tracks on her face."I heard them, Raaevik.A pet.That's all I am here.Just a genetic broodmare in a fancy dress."
"They are fools," he growled."Blind, arrogant fools."
"Are they?"Her laugh was bitter and harsh."Look at me!I don't belong here.I'm just Emily.And apparently, I'm deformed, or stunted.I think the jury is out on which."
"You are not deformed."His voice dropped, low in the quiet garden."You are..."
He stopped, his jaw tight.
"What?"she demanded, closing the distance between them, stopping just inches from him.She had to crane her neck to look at him, he was so tall."What am I, Raaevik?A duty?A burden?"
He looked down at her.His eyes were violet fire, and she couldn't read what she saw there.
"You know what you are."
"No, I don't!Tell me!"She grabbed the edges of his jacket, bunching the leather in her fists."Because I feel like I'm going crazy.I feel like I'm drowning in this place, and the only time I can breathe...the only time I feel real...is when you're near me."
Raaevik froze.
"Emily," he warned, his voice rough."Do not."
"Do you feel it?"she demanded, shaking him slightly.It was like trying to shake a mountain, but she didn't care."The pull between us.Do you feel it too?You have to feel it too?"
He closed his eyes, and a shudder went through his massive frame.
"Please," she whispered, the anger draining out of her, leaving only raw, desperate need."Please just tell me I'm not making this up.Tell me I'm not alone in this."
He opened his eyes, and the mask was gone.Now there was only the man and the predator beneath.
"I feel it," he said, voice raw."Every moment.Every breath.It is a fire in my blood.It screams at me to claim you, to keep you, to kill anyone else who dares to look at you."
Her breath caught.
"Then why?"she whispered."Why do you push me away?"
"Because you belong tohim."
"I don't!"The denial tore out of her."I was sold to him!And I didn't choose him!"
