I didn’t stop walking. “No chance.”
“You did have a chance. You wasted that when you chose not to attend the banquet and to disappear from my fortress instead.”
I paused and spoke over my shoulder. “It hasn’t occurred to you that I could portal away from here for another three years?”
“It hasn’t occurred to you that tonight was a test of whether you’d return or run?” Leather creaked as the demon king shifted position on the armchair. “Whatever the reason you entered Tiers, it’s not one you can turn your back on, Syera. You could portal away, but you won’t. You must return.”
Fucking. Asshole.He was right, and I couldn’t underestimate his intelligence again. “To an extent, Carmine. Nothing more or less.”
All traces of humor disappeared from his face. “Why did you return? You escaped, and now I will never let you go, not now I have seen what you are.”
What the hell did that mean? He’d wanted me to stay away? My brow cleared. Now that I was confident and skilled in my demon powers, I held more value to him.
I smirked. “Should I be offended that the mating ritual wasn’t enough for you before?”
“Enough, yes you were. But if you disappear now, I will hunt you,” he muttered darkly.
The words were a warning. “You never found me the first time.”
The air tightened between us. His face worked like he wished to say more. Then ice froze any emotion away. “Put the dress on, or I’ll do it for you.”
I really was tired. The royal fortress was an arena of its own. I wanted to sleep. If I couldn’t do that, then I was not in the mood forhismoods. “I’ve agreed to put the dress on. What’s the reason you’d like me to strip off right here?”
“Because you pissed me off.”
Translation: You embarrassed me in front of my subjects, and now I’ll embarrass you.
Tit for tat? If I hurt him, he’d hurt me? If I pissed him off, he’d do it right back? My thoughts swung in the opposite direction… If I made him happy, he’d make me happy.
Returning to Tiers was crucial, and Carmine had shown that he’d interrupt the game to yank me out. I couldn’t portal into the game next week. He had to give me permission to play.
He’d only make me happy if I made him happy.
I also knew that Carmine hated me doing anything against my will.
I tossed the sylk dress at him, and as his eyes flashed at the challenge, I pried off my leather boots, then shimmied out of my pants. The ice in his gaze melted into a heat equally as intense as he focused on my black underwear—something demons didn’t wear. My underwear had always fascinated him, and he’d tripped to the Earth realm to fill an entire chamber with lingerie for me once. Lingerie that I’d stolen when I escaped, knowing that no merchant would stock underwear for me to buy.
I pulled up my tunic, but paused once the material was gathered at my waist. I paused for his inspection. “Oh, did you want me to take off my underwear so you can get a really good look first? I can spread my legs if you like.”
Carmine glanced away. “Get it done, enamai.”
I lifted my tunic overhead, and he frowned at my chest. “Why do you tie them down so much?”
What, more than nipple string? That wasn’t a difficult achievement. I told the truth. “Because they got bigger, Carmine, and other women don’t need to contend with boobs this big. Especially when they’re fighting.”
His throat worked, and I took that as agreement with some part of what I’d said. Or maybe he’d stopped listening.
Turning from him, I undid the bindings covering my breasts.
“Have you had much reason to fight in the last three years?” he asked in the cloying quiet, only disturbed by the scratch of my bindings.
I sighed. “More reason than ever.” I fought forhim.I fought for her, my twin. I fought for me.
The bindings dropped to the floor. “Throw me the dress.”
I regretted the choice to chuck it in his face.
His voice was silken. “Come and get it.”
