How had things gotten this fucked?She was supposed to return to Erdikoa and live a full life with her friends and family. Now, her mother was here, informing him Gedeon would eventually find Rory.
His attempt to control his frustration was futile.
“Fuck!” Everything flew off his desk with a violent swing of his arm, and the shadows exploded around them. Bits of wood from the furniture and bookshelves flew around the room.
Sam batted the shrapnel away from his face and glowered at Caius. “I know you are upset, but losing your temper will not help. Lauren and I will protect her with our lives.”
Caius said nothing as he tried to push his anger down. It took everything in him to force a semblance of calm, pat Sam on the shoulder, and slip through the passage leading to his and Rory’s room. His only solace now was the soulscape.
Caius walkedthrough a field of wildflowers that covered the floor of his throne room. He craned his head back to inspect the ceiling. Everything was the same, yet different. He couldn’t put his finger on why.
“Who are you?”
He’d know that voice anywhere, and the recognition made his heart lurch. They were in the soulscape.
When he turned, the air left his lungs at the sight of the most stunning woman he’d ever seen.
And she was only wearing a pair of panties and a bra.Fuck.
It felt like roots held him in place as he restrained himself frompulling her into his arms.He didn’t want to scare her away, but as soon as she saw his face, he realized he’d forgotten one very important detail.
“Bane.” Her eyes flashed between shock and hate, the same hate she displayed when she appeared in his throne room.
The memory made his mouth pull into a smile. Sam was wrong; she was still his Rory, deep down.
She looked around, and when she saw the elegant room covered in flowers, her brows knit together as she mumbled something to herself.
“Hello, Miss Raven,” he purred. She thought he killed Cora, but he’d won her over once, and he would do it again.
“Fuck you,” she sneered. Looking around again, she feigned turning her back to him and then charged, kicking out her leg.
He expected the attack and sidestepped her easily. “Usually, women try to get in my pants a different way,” he taunted. “Kicking them off is a method I’ve not seen yet.”
His words did nothing to deter her as she came at him again. And again. And again. She said nothing, only grunted as she attacked with impressive skill, and it made him proud. Even if she didn’t remember their lessons, her body did.
Finally, he grabbed her and pulled her back to his chest, pinning her arms to her sides as she thrashed against his hold.
“I am going to fucking kill you,” she swore like an oath.
“Mmm,” he hummed. “How will you do that, Miss Raven? You seem to be in a bit of a bind.”
His words ruffled the hair above her ear, and small bumps peppered her flesh. He smiled. “If I let you go, will you be a good girl?”
Her head almost split his lip when she threw it back, but he dodged just in time. “Now, now,” he crooned. “You’re being very naughty.”
She stopped struggling, and her chest heaved from exhaustion and anger.
“Let me go,” she demanded through gritted teeth.
He wished he could kiss her neck and tell her he loved her, but she wouldn’t understand.Instead, he lightly squeezed before releasing her.
She stepped forward and spun around to face him. “Where the hell are we?”
He smirked. “You are stunning when you’re mad.”
If looks could kill, his head would be on a spike. He motioned around them. “It appears to be a throne room.”
Rory stared at the ground. Caius saw her eyes widen, followed by her shoulders relaxing. “Figures.”
