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Kael stiffened beside me, angry once more, and I sighed, getting up to get a towel to wipe the mess off her skin. But no soap. I wanted her to wear my scent; a secret reminder that I owned her body, and she belonged tome.
Snuggling back into bed with her, I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She remained stiff in my embrace; unyielding before she sighed, and I chuckled. Pride that she’d submitted to me filled me and I kissed her neck, my heart pulsing when she melted into me, giving in to our connection without words.
Chapter 14
Kael
Iwokeupstilltangled in Theron’s arms, his heavy cock pressed into the small of my back as he cupped my breast in his sleep. Self-loathing coursed through me, my cheeks burning as the night came crashing back over me. How easily I had let him guide me into pleasure despite knowing what he’d done. His hands were powerful, yet gentle and precise as he teased and tormented my body until I was begging for more, tipping me over the edge of blissful oblivion, something I’d never allowed another man to do.
It had to be the piercing. His magic drove me to wantonness, with only the need to climax in my mind. A mix of shame and rage swirled within me, my stomach roiling. The piercing was the only reason he had such mastery over my body. Right? I wanted to lash out at him for everything he’d done—for manipulating me into such an untenable position and destroying any hope I’d had of escaping unscathed from this game we were playing.
I shifted, trying to move away from the warmth of his body without waking him. But when I glanced over my shoulder, I stilled as my gaze settled on him in sleep. His face was softer now, all signs of his hard exterior softened by slumber. His sharp nose and taut jawline had relaxed, only the slightest hint of stubble covering his cheeks now that he wasn’t frowning. Even his arms folded around me protectively, as if shielding me from harm, were gentler than when conscious.
My heart caught in my throat as his soft lips parted with each breath, a small curl hinting at a smile in the corner of his mouth despite being asleep. There it was again; this strange pull towards him I couldn’t explain or fight, no matter how much I wanted to deny it. In sleep, he looked like a warrior who could conquer any foe, yet... vulnerable. And I hated him even more for it.
His eyes were still closed, but he must have felt my stare because they slowly cracked open to meet mine. We stared at each other in a silent war of wills, and I shivered, wanting nothing more than to grab my pilfered knife and carve out his dark heart. But I was unwilling to leave the comfort of his arms to retrieve it.
The realization galvanized me and I jumped up from the bed, not wanting Theron to see how much he affected me, but it was too late; his gaze followed mine, and we locked eyes again.
“Kael?”
He stood and walked closer to me, a small smirk tugging at his lips. I trembled as he reached out for my hand, his soft touch like lightning through my veins. He pulled me to him and cupped my face in his hands, his breath warm against my skin.
“Don’t be ashamed,” he breathed. “You felt something too. Why deny it?” My heart thumped painfully in my chest and I looked away, but Theron tilted up my chin so our eyes met again.
“Tell me you don’t want me and I’ll stop. You have all the power,Sia.“ His words were honeyed promises that couldn’t hide the trap they were.
I opened my mouth to tell him he was wrong, but the words wouldn’t come. My hesitation seemed only to spur him on and he leaned in further, nose brushing against mine delicately as if testing the waters before taking things further.
I spun away from him as Raenisa ran in, worry etched on her face. “The rebels escaped.”
“All of them?” He asked, running a hand through his greasy hair and swearing when she nodded. I turned my back on him as if searching for my robe to hide my vicious glee. Those assholes wouldn’t be touching my brother again.
“Fuck. Rhazien is going to be pissed.” He said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I heard him raging at the guards.” She leaned against the doorframe as she looked between us with open curiosity. “Apparently, he had an execution planned as a treat for Varzorn that he already told the emperor about.”
The sick, sharp-eared bastards.
“For Atar’s sake,” Theron scowled. “This week can’t end soon enough.”
Shit.
The clock was ticking, and I still needed time to kill the Beast. I took a breath, trying to push down the anxiety that had settled deep in my stomach. It was an arduous task, with Theron’s piercing gaze still following me around the room as I pretended to consider clothing. His eyes stayed on me, a predator stalking its prey, and I couldn’t help but wonder what thoughts ran through his mind.
The red-haired Harvestman, Zerek, strode into the suite, his usual charm and wit noticeably absent. Dust rose from his clothes as he plopped down on the couch, his preternaturally beautiful face etched in grime. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I didn’t find anything in Sailtown.”
“To be expected. We found them in the Red Wilds.”
He took his feet off the table. “You did? Did you get the sword?”
“No Striker.” Raenisa scowled. “And we only had them for all of eighteen hours. They escaped.”
Zerek’s mouth hung open. “I’m gone for two days and you fall apart. See, this is why I should be second in command.”
“Oh, fuck off,” Raenisa said, rolling her eyes before they began bickering.
Theron wasn’t distracted by the exchange, his attention still following me as I tried to keep my expression neutral.
