I blink as I realise I haven’t answered his question. My gaze flicks down to the table that is still laden with food. There is so much of it I can barely see the pristine white tablecloth. It is a crime to leave all this fruit and porridge, but if I eat any more, I’ll explode. Reluctantly, I nod.
He grins and snaps his notebook shut. There is something suspicious about the look in his eyes. I have a bad feeling about this.
But before I can prepare, he moves around the table and towards me, unnaturally fast. I don’t even have time to flinch before a click echoes around the room. Motherfucker. He just attached a leash to my collar.
I glare up at him in outrage. He looks down at me and smirks. I’m going to punch him. Right in his too handsome face. My hands ball into fists, but before I can swing, he is tugging on the leash and I’m pulled off my chair. I dig my heels into the carpet and grab a hold of the chain.
“Where the hell do you think you are taking me?” I snap.
“Around court. Since I never got a chance to show you off yesterday,” he answers with infinite patience and a truly filthy wink.
My cheeks heat before I’ve even fully processed the words. We didn’t end up going out because we ended up in the bath. With him between my thighs.
“Never going to happen,” I grind out between gritted teeth.
For an answer, he starts pulling me towards the door with his formidable strength. I hit the deck, but it does no good at all. Now I’m being dragged across the floor on my stomach. This fucking bastard is unbelievable.
I grab his leg in an effort to trip him up, but it doesn’t even slow him down. So I bite him. Hard. On the calf. I mostly get a mouthful of boot but the leather feels buttery soft and thin. And he has stopped walking. So I’m pretty sure he felt something.
A hand twists in my hair and yanks me to my feet. I glare up at his ruby eyes and get ready to spit.
“Fine, let’s do it your way,” he says.
Wait. What? He doesn’t sound angry. Or even annoyed. Merely resigned.
My stomach does an uncomfortable swooping thing and the bitter taste of disappointment floods my mouth. Is that all the fight he has? I thought he was made of sterner stuff and wouldn’t give in so easily. But apparently, he is just like everyone else in the world. Too weak to handle me.
His large hands rest against my chest and push me backwards. Away from the door. Dazedly, I stumble until I hit the wall. His hand moves to my shoulder and pushes me down to my knees. My mind flounders. What is he doing now? What is happening? I thought he was surrendering to me?
Another click echoes around the room, and I flinch. Oh my god! The bastard. He has chained me to a ring on thewall. Tied me down with a very short leash. It is so short I can’t move from this kneeling position.
“We will invite people to come here,” grins Tristan as a triumphant gleam flashes in his eyes.
I open my mouth to yell something in outrage, but as soon as I draw a breath, he is gone. The door swinging softly behind him. Leaving me all alone and chained to the fucking wall.
I don’t have time to seethe for long. Tristan returns quickly, with what looks like half of the court. They swarm into the room and spread. Filling it. Transforming it with their presence. Servants appear from nowhere with silver trays of drinks and snacks.
It is a flipping cocktail party. In the middle of the day. Oh my stars, he is such a bastard.
I drop my gaze to the floor. I’m not looking at all these assholes, or giving them the satisfaction of being able to ogle me. They want to see the new pet? Well, they can see the top of my head and nothing else.
Someone nearby sniffs disdainfully. “I can’t believe that rhocyn is here. So shameless.”
“Disgusting, isn’t it?” another voice adds. “Swanning around with his hair all unbound. So brazen.”
I don’t think they are talking about me. I wonder who they are gossiping about? Damnit, one day my curiosity is going to be the death of me. But hopefully, today is not that day.
I lift my head, just enough to peek through my hair. My gaze sweeps around the room. There is only one person, apart from me, with loose hair. A fey with long sapphire blue hair. And frigging cat ears. And a tail that is swishing back and forth like an anxious feline’s.
His shoulders are hunched, and he is clutching an iPad of all things, and seems to be hurriedly writing down what a half-tree person is saying. Poor dude looks completely unoffensive. But that never stopped bitches being bitches.
I quickly look down at the floor again before anyone sees me. I really, really do not want to draw attention to myself. Even though it is probably a futile endeavour, considering Tristan brought them all here so they could gawp at me. Luckily, they are all being discreet about it. For now.
I squirm uncomfortably. It is hot in here. And these damn clothes are too tight. So much for being comfortable and soft. What’s the point in being draped in luxurious soft silk if it is giving you a wedgie?
A wedgie that is moving. Sliding insidiously along your crack. Rubbing back and forth over your hole.
My head snaps up, and my gaze unerringly finds Tristan. He is standing in the middle of the room, in the centre of a gaggle of admirers. He casually pops a blood red grape into his mouth. Then he quickly flashes me a grin and a wink.
