I pull away, and Sin eyes me like he’s trying to peer inside my soul again. His gaze has me standing and retreating towards the door.
What happened to the man who kidnapped me and was afraid of emotions? Those are quickly looking like the good ‘ol days.
“Thank you. I think it’s good that we focus on what’s most important right now to avoid gettingdistracted.” The words come out strained, but I force them out anyway.
“Important?” Sin echoes, his eye twitching. His face hardens to a look so determined I almost shudder. But he doesn’t push the issue. “I’ll see you in twenty minutes in the courtyard. Get dressed to fight.”
I nod and leave the room without throwing him any sass. It feels weird, and I already hate the new dynamic. Still, war is coming. That’s a lot more important than my attraction to Sin. Because that’s all this is. Attraction.
I refuse to let it be more.
Chapter 34
Rule thirty-four:Fight dirty.
“Magic is tied to emotion,” Sin lectures, circling me in the arena. His hands are clasped behind his back, but I don’t let my guard down. Not in here. “You said you manifested your magic when you were very, very, angry. So, we’re going to need you to get angry until you can familiarize yourself with calling it forward.”
Sin has been instructing (lecturing) me on the particulars of wielding strong powers for the last ten minutes. He’s not even remotely concerned that I might hurt him, given he can nullify whatever I end up manifesting. It’s doing nothing good for my bad bitch image. Although I have the sneaking suspicion that the possibility of me blowing up the realm may have something to do with why we’ve been left alone at the castle.
The second the others left, it was like an electric current settled in the air. Things have shifted since Sin admitted that he was done trying to fight whatever is between us. I can feel his eyes on me, even when he’s at my back. I can’t tell whether it’s from anticipation or anxiety. The tension is there, setting my nerve endings alight.
Desire and fear. My body has never been more conflicted.
Not that Sin has said anything remotely inappropriate since I told him we should keep things professional. But there’s a hunger in the way he looks at me now, one that he isn’t bothering to mask. It sets my blood on fire, reminding me, yet again, that I am beyond screwed.
Focus, Vivian.
“And how am I supposed to just get furious?” I ask, arching a brow at him. Despite the small outbursts I’ve been having in this realm, I’m really not an angry person.
He stops circling, finally facing me. My breath catches in my throat, and I try not to appreciate how deadly he looks when fully decked out in his fighting leathers. I’m just going to go ahead and blame my book addiction for my attraction to men who look like they could kill me in less than a heartbeat.
I have no regrets.
“Promise that you’ll forgive me.”
He isn’t asking, he’s demanding. And he’s doing it with enough ferocity that I justknowhe’s about to cross a line. Still, I recognize his words for what they are, apprehension.
Sin is hesitating.
My heart starts thundering in my chest as I realize why. He’s going to make sure I can get angry. He’s going to go inside my head.
A cold chill runs up my spine at the thought of someone manipulating my emotions again. Sin watches me apprehensively, not moving toward me, and his hesitation is everything. Just like every time he’s touched me, Sin is waiting for me to tell him no, to give him an indication that I don’t want this.
I have a choice. He always gives me a choice in his own twisted way.
“I promise,” I quietly reply.
Sin’s eyes shut, and he takes a deep, shuddering breath. When they open again, his tattoos start to glow a familiar red as he brings his Destroyer powers to the surface.
“I won’t hurt you,” he promises back, reaching for me slowly, giving me all the time in the world to move away.
“I trust you.” I hold his gaze and don’t flinch when his hand cups my cheek.
“If you go back to hating me after this, I’m going to be very upset with you.” The growl in his tone causes heat to surge through me, and I fight the urge to press my thighs together.
If there was ever a time when I needed to focus onnothaving lust-filled thoughts, it’s probably now.
It takes a few moments until I feel it. If I wasn’t paying attention, I don’t think I would notice the feeling of Sin in my head. It’s as if something is sliding between my thoughts, squirming throughemotions as he searches for the one he’s looking for. There’s no pain, but once I’ve zeroed in on the intrusion, it doesn’t particularly feel good either.
