“I don’t believe a word coming out of your mouth. You’ve lied to me before, Daris.” Terena snapped, tossing a look at him over her shoulder.
Hands balled at her sides, she looked around the room. How was she supposed to get back? Cassandra didn’t tell her anything about what this was. Did it have anything to do with whatever that candy was she’d so cleverly sneaked into her mouth with that kiss?
Daris grabbed her hand, making her fumble back into him.
“Stay. I will tell you everything.” Daris’s voice was gruff and rumbled through her back as he lifted their twined fingers over her head to pull her back into his chest.
“I don’t have time.”
Terena pulled her hand from his, pushing on his arm until it fell away. She took a few steps from him.
“I didn’t kill him, Ren. On my honor as a Liodari. As a Spartan. I did not kill Prince Lerek.”
An all-too-familiar stab of guilt hit her belly, but it wasn’t as painful as it had been in the past. Frowning, Terena turned to look at him.
“I have to go.”
She had no idea how she was to return to the others, but one thing was certain; she could not stay and listen to him. Not now.
“Did you hear me?”
Terena threw up her arms. “I don’t have time for this! I don’t have time for you. We’ll talk another?—”
Daris took a couple steps closer, his face deceptively calm. “You don’t have time for me? So, you come here, we make love, but you don’t have time to listen to me? About the reason you fought with me? Stabbed me? Oh, aye,” he laughed, his lips twisted sardonically when her eyes widened. “Did you not notice the new scar?” Daris patted his left hip. A jagged line started below his ribs to right above his hip bone, pink and puckered. It looked new.
Terena grew sheepish before recollecting herself.
“Be glad you’re immortal.”
Daris laughed bitterly. “Very nice. What happened to the woman who came in earlier and couldn’t wait to be in my arms?”
Terena pressed her lips together, shooting him a glare. Her eyes caught on something and she bent over, grabbing his discarded breeches and tossing them at him. He caught them and put them on.
“A momentary lapse in common sense,” Terena fumed, stalking past him. His hand shot out, grabbing her neck. Terena let out a squeak as he shoved her against the wall, his body so close she squirmed to put some distance between them.Anything to get away from his heat and the dangerous gleam in his eye.
His nostrils flared, and Terena swallowed hard. Daris’s hand was warm and strong with only the slightest pressure on her throat. She knew if she wanted, she could move away.
But she didn’t.
Terena hated herself for that.
“Get your fucking hand off me.”
“Oh no, my love,” he purred, his hot breath rousing the butterflies in her belly. “You’re going to stay right here until we’ve finished our conversation.”
“Daris,” she said in warning, her gaze locked with his.
“I’ve waited months to see you. I am not fucking letting you go until you hear me out.”
“And then you’ll let me go.”
One corner of Daris’s mouth curled up. The way his face could change from strong, courageous leader to seductive, possessive lover made her insides melt.
Terena desperately fought to recall why she hated this man.
“I won’t let you go,” he whispered, his gaze falling to her lips. “Ever again. You are mine.”
“I am not yours.”
