“Alaric,” I gasped, my feet freezing mid-glide.
“It’s okay, Serafina. I feel it too.”
He firmed his jaw, eyeing my mouth, and I set trembling fingers against his lips. “Perhaps a little too much.” I mean, I understood he’d missed out on a lot over the years, but it wasn’t necessary to experience everything in one night. Especially not with me.
“Right.” He cleared his throat, his brows furrowing with annoyance.
Thankfully, the music box ground to a stop and I broke free of his embrace, putting a more comfortable distance between us.
While Alaric tended to the musical contraption, I heaved a breath, mustering up my courage. “Have you given any thought to the deal we made?” I asked. “The one where you promised to release me once your curse was broken?”
His shoulders stiffened, and he slammed the lid on the box, making me jump. “Is that what you’ve been thinking about all evening? How quickly you can leave me?”
If he’d remained a dragon, I imagined smoke would have rolled from his nostrils. But as a man, the threat was different, quieter, sharper. I lifted my chin. “Not at all. And I’m not saying I would leave immediately, especially considering Speck’s condition. But I would appreciate the freedom to choose.”
“I’ll release you when the time is right.” The words fell like manacles snapping closed.
My hands curled into fists. “That wasn’t the deal.”
“We specified no timeline.”
I stared at him, a cold knot forming in my gut. “What are you saying?” My voice quivered despite my anger. “That you plan to keep me hereforever?”
His green eyes narrowed, gleaming with possession. “Where would you go, Serafina? Where would you not be treated like a penniless servant? Wouldn’t be used?”
“Anywhere I want. That’s the whole point. Freedom. For me and for Speck. Once he’s well enough.”
Alaric scoffed. “Without the wealth and protection of Pyrrhus, you’d be little more than an impoverished peasant again. So why not stay here? With me. And be treated as a queen.”
Because, until tonight, he’d treated me like a servant, ordering me around. Given his behavior this evening, I doubted anything would change if I stayed.
“What about Thorne?”
His scowl darkened, a low rumble sounding in his chest. “What about him?”
“Do you plan to keep him here with you as well?” Thorne swore an oath to remain with Alaric until he was restored. In my mind, that oath was more than fulfilled.
Alaric heaved a sigh, his scowl softening. “I didn’t want to mention this, because I know you’ve grown close, but Thorne is already gone. He won’t be back. Once he has delivered his warning, he doesn’t plan to return.”
A sharp ache bloomed in my chest. “No. I don’t believe you.”
“What’s not to believe?” He canted his head in a predatory manner, voice like silk over steel. “Did you really think you could tame a rake such as him? Thorne was never one to stay in one place for long. Even in his youth. Face it, Serafina. Whatever you believe existed between you, you were nothing to him. Just like all the others before you.”
We’d made no promises. Still, would he have left without a word? After all we’d shared last night? No. I clung to that certainty even as doubt clawed at me. Alaric was lying. Hehadto be lying. But why?
In my distraction, I didn’t see how close Alaric had come until he stood over me. He peered deeply into my eyes, his expression soft, tone seductive. The back of his knuckles grazed my cheek. “Say you will stay with me, Serafina. I’m certain I can give you a good life. Provide all your heart could ever desire. Jewels, gowns, things beyond your wildest imagination. Perhaps in time, even love.”
My throat went dry. “Alaric, I’m not sure what to say.”
“Say yes.”
I set my hand on his chest. “You see, Thorne and I—”
“Thorne and you what?” His expression sharpened, hardening into cold emerald stones.
Before I could answer, fire flashed through my chest. Pain ripped me in two. I doubled over, crying out.
Alaric stepped closer, grasping my shoulder. “What is it?”
