Page 318 of Coal Hearts

I tried to fight his hold. “Do it. Go on. I dare you!”

He just knocked my wrists out from under me and pressed my cheek to the grass.

I hated how effortlessly he manhandled me.

I hated the dynamics of weak and strong, slave and Master.

“I curse you,” I hissed. “I curse you with every misfortune imaginable.”

He paused as if staring at the wand inked onto my back. “You know...I believe you’ve already cursed me.”

“Free me and the other jewels, and I’ll uncurse you...how about that?”

He exhaled heavily. “I’m sorry, but no. I’m done trying to be a hero.”

“I hate you,” I whispered with rancid-dripping passion.

“Don’t be so sure.” His fingers dipped between my legs, bold and brutal.

I cried out as he sank two inside me.

“Wet.” He groaned. “Want to tell me again that you hate me?”

“I hope you burn in hell.” I squirmed as his fingers hooked on that traitorous little spot.

“If I’m burning, you’re burning with me.” He bent and bit my hip. “Anything else to say?”

“Let me go, you bastard.”

“Nope, never letting you go again. Anything else?”

“Yes.” I looked back at him, a nasty recipe of despair and helplessness making me far crueller than I’d ever been. “No one loves you because you’re utterly unlovable. You deserve to be alone and—”

Instant regret.

Hollowing remorse.

Henri looked as if I’d poured acid into his heart.

I froze, completely shocked at how far I’d fallen.

How terrible I’d become.

God, if Krish could see me...he’d be so disappointed, so sad.

“Henri, I—” I clawed the grass. I gagged on apologies. Hating that I wanted to give him a thousand, all while he owed me so many in return.

“It’s fine.” He huffed, removing his fingers from inside me. “I deserved that. And you’re right.” His voice turned stark and emotionless. “Loneliness is my cross to bear because I’m not worthy of anything else. You don’t have to curse me with it. I already suffer. Thank you so fucking much for reminding me.”

Arctic darkness wafted from him as he palmed my ass. “This is my fault. I’ve been too soft on you. I’ve let you think you have a say in what I will and will not do. But the truth is, you’ve just reminded me that I can’t be two men at once. I asked you to play along with me. To be mine so I can be yours. But...I see now that only you can make that choice. I can’t make it for you, no matter how much I beg. And so...here is a little lesson.”

Pressing his large palm on my ass, he squeezed me fondly. “You need to decide, little nightmare. A decision that will ensure your life here will be heaven or hell.”

I didn’t want to ask, but the words spilled anyway. “What decision?”

“The decision to play along with me as my wonderfully obedient wife or...be forced to submit as my badly broken slave.”

My heart fluttered. “You wouldn’t.”