It hurts me. And it’s easy to see that it hurts him just as much.
This powerful man before me is a slave.
And now … I am too.
SIX
TOUCH ME
Two clicks soundthrough the room for what must be the millionth annoying time.
I seethe in silence. I say nothing. Because I’m too busy biting through the inside of my cheek.
“Good! Complete silence. Good girl,” Avian praises with an enormous, oblivious smile.
Good. Girl.
This is my fucking life now.
His big palm pats my head affectionately, and I have to stop myself from nipping at his fingers with snapping rage.
The adorable condescending fucker.
He’s so smart. But he’s so, so damn blind to how much this training is pissing me off.
He sits on the edge of the bed with his legs spread wide as he prepares to click at me once more. If he tells me to sit one more time, I’m going to shove that clicker up his puppy ass.
I think back to the short conversation I had with Roman: Women are not an allowed commodity to the High Hell.
And yet, Avian is my mentor for the day.
His thumb lifts, and instead of waiting for the clicking instructions, I stride to him. He can’t see me of course, but heinstantly seems to notice the sound of my feet storming over the smooth hardwood floors. And he definitely notices when I slide my legs over his, wrap my arms around his shoulders, and just completely straddle him to get his immediate attention.
“Uh—” He’s careful. His hands are lifted around me, making it a point not to touch any part of my body that’s pressed so perfectly against him. “What are you doing, Cersia?” The groan against his words is just as calm and hushed as he always is. But there’s a rawness to it that scratches sensually down over my skin and back.
“Touch my face,” I instruct him, and I’m very aware of how hard my lips are down turned and how deep the crease is in my brow.
There’s a slowness as he blinks and seems to consider my statement.
I’m his Prince’s. That’s the label I’ve acquired, and I know it. That’s why he’s kept a careful amount of space between us.
“That’s kind of offensive to be honest. I’m blind that doesn’t mean I see with my hands,” he finally whispers.
“You don’t even know what I look like,” I whisper right back, and that breath of a voice crawls up right from the ache in my soul.
My attention is drawn to his full lips. His hard jaw and the beautiful kindness that’s always etched across his face.
He’s beautiful.
He’s been nothing but caring to me. And for the first time in my life, it isn’t because of my looks.
He nods at that. “I know you’re the most beautiful woman in all the realms.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. I know the rumors of your appearance are true. I can hear it in the confidence of your voice. The warmth there is rasping and full. I also know it because of how others react toyou. I know it because of how Zilo cautions you like he actually cares if you live or die. And I know because Roman can’t stand to be around you for longer than an hour as if that’s too much for his self-control to take. They aren’t used to being attracted women let alone to the Prince’s property.”
And there it is: I’m property.
