“We haven’t been able to test that theory before. There aren’t many creatures without magic like you running around here.” His thumb brushed my jaw, and I forced myself not to cringe. “But I have something new I’ve been working on.”
“Can I see it?” I whispered.
He laughed again. “You really are a curious thing, aren’t you? What was that you once told me?” His gaze pinned me to the wall. “I could beconvinced.”
His breath smelled like rancid wine. The feel of him crowdingaround me on all sides made my hand ball into a fist so hard, my nails dug small crescent moons into my palm.
I knew what he meant. What a man like himwanted. And if I wanted to help all those innocent people, I didn’t think I had a choice.
I steeled my spine and closed my eyes, tilting my head up to press my lips to his.
For someone who spoke of taking what they wanted, Scarven was surprisingly meticulous. He moved like he expected this—like he planned for it. One hand came to the back of my neck, angling my head up almost painfully far as he kissed me.
I fought the urge to recoil when his hand wrapped around my hair. I winced as he tugged harder, the force pushing my back further into the wall. Rough edges of rocks dug into my skin through my shirt. My palms lay flat against the stone, my nails grasping at it as if I could claw my way out.
Not for the first time, I realized how alone we were in this tunnel. How far we were from either exit.
My heart pounded faster in fear. I thought back to that night in Nox’s tent, the way he’d lost control and pinned me to the floor. Even with the hint of a lethal dragon in his eyes as he’d caged me in, I’d felt no fear. I’d never been afraid of him. The most powerful creature in this empire, and I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.
I wish he were here.
The thought of Nox made the pressure in my chest peak. Panic crawled up my throat as I struggled to get breath in my lungs. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t?—
I broke away, panting, using all my willpower to stop my body from shaking. I opened my mouth when Scarven’s thumb came up to press into my bottom lip.
“As much as I want to continue this,” he murmured, eyes hooded, “there are things I must see to after the fights.” Straightening the collar of his shirt, he took a step away and cracked his neck, slipping back into his composed persona.
“My men will be waiting for you at the entrance of thetavern to take you back to the manor.” He wrapped a hand around the side of my neck, pressing his thumb into the column of my throat. I held my breath, not daring to move.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Selena.” He turned on his heel and strode back down the tunnel.
I waited until I could no longer hear his footsteps before I sank to the ground and buried my head in my hands.
39
D: Just checking in. First full day in the books.
N: Anything new today?
D: No, I didn’t even see him. I was too nervous to leave the room for long. Reminds me of another tower I was once kept in…
N: Hilarious.
D: Yours is prettier.
N: Don’t forget bigger, darling.
D: Whatever you say.
N: Good night, Devora.
D: So, I was thinking...
N: This ought to be good.
D: What if S knows I was behind the rescue mission? Whatif he’s biding his time, making me think I’m safe, but he’s slowly poisoning me with tea and chocolate scones, and his maid is planning to drown me in my morning bath?
N: How many chocolate scones have you had this morning?
