“So unsophisticated,” I murmur as I try to navigate my surroundings with my hands alone. “Brutal beasts.”
“What was that, whore?”
All the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
I didn’t realize the Giant got inside with me. Before I can find my seat, the carriage moves again. I push myself up and sit down on the bench.
Another few hours pass. But I might not be the most honest judge when it comes to time. Not in this condition. The Giant doesn’t say a word to me the whole way.
He snores. Loud.
The carriage stops again, but nothing happens. The Giant snores one more time, even louder and then mutters something under his breath.
I wait for what’s to come next, every ounce of my being alert. After what feels like forever, the door opens and I swing my head to the side of the sound.
Silence.
Then, a chuckle. “Well, well, well. What do we have here? The most famous whore to walk the streets of Jaakii. Vera D’Argent, welcome.”
CHAPTER FOUR
JAX
“No way,” I say, shaking my head. “You got me again, sweetheart.”
The Ezkai guarding my cell giggles, her cheeks rosy. Her long, blond hair shines in the dim candlelight. I’m not certain whether she’s truly stunningly beautiful…or if her looks are amplified by the unappealing surroundings of the underground prison.
“Are you sure you aren’t letting me win?” she flirts, batting her eyelashes at me.
With a smirk, I shuffle the cards. “My lady, that would be unfair. What do I gain from letting you win and appear as an incompetent fool when all I want is to impress you?”
Her eyes sparkle. I wink at her. She lowers her gaze and smiles.
In truth, there is much I aim to gain by letting this youthful woman with sparkly eyes win, three rounds in a row.
“Don’t believe me?” I pause the shuffle and raise an eyebrow. I lean forward, closer to the iron bars separating us. “You’re aDecarios. Check my heart rate, my emotions. Sense for yourself that I’m not lying.”
I know I have her when her eyes widen, lips part. She’s tempted to test me. Of course she is. I didn’t land in this cell for my charm and wits.
As my hands continue the shuffle of cards, I steady my breathing to keep my heartbeat consistent.
She leans forward. “Tell me, Jax, are you letting me win these games on purpose?”
Without missing a heartbeat, I say, “Of course not, darling. You’re wonderful at this all on your own. You don’t need my help.”
Her eyes narrow, head tilting slightly to the side. I keep her gaze and the lazy smirk on my lips and wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Finally, she laughs. “Damn, you’re telling the truth.”
I flash her my most dazzling smile. “Now that we have this out of the way, shall we?—”
“Katerina!” a tall Ezkai shouts and my lovely guard rises to her feet immediately.
