“Yes, the ones you will rule over with me.” Conri sits and motions to the cot next to him. “How are you finding these lands?”
“Incredible.”
“Truly?” He chuckles. “We are a humble people. But I am glad you find us to be so astounding.”
“Even though I am familiar with magic, the powers of the inhabitants of Midscape are still astounding to behold. The spirits are so alive and well here. That alone is enough to make me never want to leave,” I say, rooting my words in a kernel of truth. There are incredible things here. Conri not among them.
“I would desire to show you more incredible things…” He trails off, the air pregnant with the words unsaid. Conri takes my hand in his and then runs his fingertips up to my shoulder, tucking hair behind my ear as it slips around to the back of my neck. “Should you let me.”
I feel no pull. No tug toward him. Be it my cape and the added protection I’ve stitched into it, the threads around my wrist, or the relief I just had—probably a combination of all—there’s no desire to give in to Conri’s touch. I can only hope this clarity lasts through the night.
“Forgive me, but the day was long and I am exhausted,” I say gently, shifting my grip to pat the back of his hand. “Perhaps tomorrow? I would so love to see these incredible things,” I addwith a sultry note that sounds fake to my ears, but he seems to buy it. “But I want to ensure that I will satisfy you as well.”
“Very well. Allow me to help make you more comfortable for slumber.” It’s not a question; he’s already reaching for my cape. Conri rightfully suspects it’s what’s helping me resist him.
“There’s a bit of a chill in the air tonight. I would like to sleep with it on.”
“I will keep you warm.” He’s undoing the pin at the center of my neck. I swallow thickly and allow him to take it off, not seeing a way I could fight further without arousing suspicion. “There,” he murmurs, guiding my face back to his, “isn’t that better?”
“Yes, of course,” I say.
“Now, kiss me.”
I do. It is frustrating how, even still, with all this rage and all I know about the rotten inner core of this man, it is easy to kiss him. With the edges of his charm smoothing across my mind, reminding me just how handsome he is, it’s almost enough to have me not caring about all those other things. Almost, but not entirely.
There is no overwhelming mindlessness that comes with the kiss this time. While I kiss him, I am fully aware of myself, and my actions. And the disgust that accompanies them. But I am in control of every movement. Including when I pull away, much to his confusion.
“Forgive me, my king, but I really am weary from the day. I’m not accustomed to this sort of travel.”
“Yes, of course.” He’s forcing the smile. I can tell by how it pulls at his cheeks yet fails to reach his eyes. “Let us rest, then.”
He stretches out in his cot, shifting and inviting me to lie next to him—my back to his front. I oblige, knowing I have little choice. The act is what’s going to help me free Aurora and myself. The less Conri suspects, the easier it will be to break away. I just have to bide my time and wait…
Conri shifts behind me, pressing himself against me. He inhales deeply against my neck. I swallow thickly as the sensation sends a tickle down my spine. It’s as if he can feel even that subtle reaction to his movements. He shifts again, grinding into me not so subtly.
“You smell delicious…like I could devour you,” he says with a growl.
“I’d prefer not to be eaten.” I try to laugh it off with a joke. The chuckle comes easily on the relief that he really can’t seem to smell Evander.
“You don’t have be shy. Here, you can engage in your deepest carnal acts without fear of judgment or reprisal. The lykin are not like most humans.” His hand snakes around my stomach, grazing up my ribs.
I bite my lip and press my eyes closed. One small touch and he has me fighting a gasp. Conri can feel it. He kisses my neck lightly, the hand grazing the bottom of my breast.
It would feel so good, a voice whispers in the back of my mind,give in, you can still escape later…if you want.
No. I won’t give in. I can’t. But his hand shifts, threatening to make my mind go blank. If I’m not careful, he will reignite my urges. I have to fight this magic taking hold. I can’t let him win. I won’t.
My thoughts race, trying to focus on anything else. It’s a war of my mind against his hands. His mouth. Nothing seems to distract me from thoughts of him. He’s going to consume my last shreds of willpower if I don’t?—
Evander.
The fantasy that saved me earlier returns to my mind with force. But rather than imagining Evander moving as Conri is…rather than allowing myself to get worked up faster…I think of every reason I have to hate Evander—of him taking Aurora, burning my home, taking me to Conri and putting me in thisposition. And that dovetails my mind back into all the reasons I have to hate Conri.
My thoughts are my own again. I grab the hand groping me, lacing my fingers firmly with his so that there cannot be any other movement on his part without my permission. He stops his kisses. His body goes still behind me.
“I am too weary,” I insist, leaving no room for debate in my tone. Though, I do hold my breath, just a little. With all I’ve heard of Conri…will I have to defend myself more from him? How far will he go?
“Of course, darling.” He kisses my neck lightly one last time and his hand relaxes in my grip. “I would never force a person to give something they had not otherwise freely given.”
