The request disarms me as I stare up at him from the floor. “What?”
“I said, have dinner with me. Tomorrow.” My expression remains embittered. “I’m not a monster.”
“That fact remains to be seen.”
“I could have killed my brother so many times. I haven’t. I could have let Mal ruin this pretty face of yours with no effort whatsoever, but I didn’t. I could take what I want from you, but I haven’t.”
“Yet.You haven’t yet. That doesn’t mean you won’t.” I steel myself, looking up at him. Those ocean eyes twinkle, flickering over my face with budding curiosity.
“Have dinner with me,” he repeats, battling a smirk.
Behind him, candlelight bounces off the gilded mirror leaned up against the wall, its unearthly presence demanding my focus.
Stay with me, its lullaby entreats.
“In here, in your room?” I ask, peeling my gaze from our reflection. He nods patiently.
I want to know what that mirror is and why it trembles in my presence. It wantsmeto know. I shove to my feet.
“I’m only agreeing because I don’t know the next time you’ll feed me,” I bite.
He chuckles before having his guard escort me back to the dungeons.
9
SERENA
Kylian has gone to great lengths to win me over.
I’ve never tasted food so delicious. The courses keep coming long after I am stuffed. I decline the wine, however, wanting to keep my wits about me. From my periphery, I keep tabs on that strange mirror leaned against the wall.
Is Kylian oblivious to its power? It’s draw? Does it sing for him too?
“Did you enjoy your meal?”
He studies me, swirling the contents of his golden chalice. My eyes haven’t left him once this whole night, which only served as amusement for him. He ate and sipped his wine, a small bemused smile tugging at his perfect lips as I watched hawk-like from the other side of the table.
This cat and mouse game must really get him off.
“I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it weren’t for these.” I hold up my shackled hands. “I’m starting to get sores.”
“Give me what I want and I’ll remove them straight away,” he says in a chipper voice.
“Stop torturing your brother, and maybe I’ll consider it.”
The fire crackles from across the room as he leans back in his chair.
“It’s going to take more than your mere consideration for me to do that.” He smiles flirtatiously, flashing two rows of perfectly straight teeth.
Handsome bastard.
“When will you tire of this game and give in to me?”
I say nothing. He sighs, crossing one muscled arm over the other.
“You and I are inevitable, Dragon Rider. It’s odd, though. I invite you to my chambers, I feed you, I offer you kindness and still you do not warm to me.”
“Warm to you?” I slam my fists down on the table, causing the dishes and silverware to leap in response. “Tell me how a prisoner should warm to their jailer?!”
