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He runs his fingers down my cheek, almost sensually. His smile softens at the edges, losing its megalomaniacal edge, but maintains a possessive edge that makes me squirm. “And other things, of course.”
I freeze, the realization hitting me hard enough that the wind gets knocked out of my lungs.
“It’s nothing you haven’t already done,” he says. “Or, well, perhaps I shouldn’t say that. I’ll always want more after all, and you will give it to me.”
“I’m – I’m no whore!” I sputter, pulling my face away from his hand. “I won’t do it again.”
Peliel grabs my face in his hand, squishing his nails into my cheeks deep enough that it hurts. I feel blood begin to drip out from the wounds, and he pulls my face right up to his so that I can count his eyelashes if I want to.
His breath is so warm on my face, and his face is filled with righteous annoyance. The hand that’s holding onto my face is warm too, like it’s been left out in the sun, but it's starting to feel warm enough that instead of comforting it’s painful, and I have to stop myself from trying to pull away.
“You really think that you should be speaking to me this way?” he asks. “Try again.”
My hands shake, but my mouth is already moving before the fear can get a hold of it too. “I’m a person,” I tell him, and any confidence I have is cut down by the shakiness of my words. “I have emotions, thoughts, and will. I won’t turn into some – some prostitute for you! I refuse.”
Peliel’s eyes flash with anger, but he lets go of my face and for a moment I think I’ve gotten away with it.
The following backhand proves otherwise, leaving my cheek stinging and me on the floor.
14
PELIEL
For her insolence, she receives one sharp backhand to the face. My skin is so much more coarse and abrasive than hers, and my claws cut across her cheek. I can instantly feel the impact of the collision as she grips her face, trying to stop the blood.
I feel I’ve made my point. But knowing how stubborn she can be at times, I am uncertain.
“You think you can get what you want through violence? You can’t break my will!”
I can only smirk in response. Not because of her disobedience – that part infuriates me. I justsoenjoy teaching her humility.
Clearly, I still need to remind her of her place.
“I had hoped that you would have understood, but clearly you still need a lesson.”
My wings spread wide, crashing into the rock wall. I ready myself to charge, mostly taking in her delicious fear.
Her eyes don’t leave my face, even as I feel myself hardening. Her lips are curled into a defiant pout.
I know she wants to look down. I can smell it in the chemicals she emits.
Before she can even think to react, I rush toward her, picking her up from her waist.
“Hey! Put. Me. Down!”
She wails. I sprint toward the cave entrance, my feet stomping one after another in rapid succession. The relentless sun shines brightly upon us, and the vast desert lingers miles below.
I leap from the rocky edge and let her think we’re falling. I can feel her heart bursting with anxiety as we tumble through the sky.
She screams so loud, it irritates me.
Then I beat my wings, and we are carried upward by the grace of the wind.
She unleashes a barrage of unsettled questions.
“What are you doing?”
“Have you completely lost your mind?”
