Nikolas freezes, his head snapping in my direction. He releases his hold on Serafina’s throat, and I grin at his terror being interrupted. Serafina immediately runs off, brushing past me as she flees, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Ah, the Princess of Cathros,” Nikolas says with malice. “This is a rather curious hour for creeping about, don’t you think?”
“Cancel your deal with the King,” I demand, standing my ground.
His expression turns to one of curiosity as he steps closer to me, his amber eyes piercing in the dim light. “I don’t think so. I’m making quite a fortune off this deal.”
“I know exactly what you are.”
“Oh?” Nikolas stalks closer to me. “Do you now?”
I nod. “The rebellion will not succeed.”
“Is that so?”
“I will make sure of it.”
Nikolas chuckles. “How cute.” He nudges my chin with his hand. “Thinking you can play the games of war with men. Better luck next time,Princess.”
The lines drawn between us mean one thing—this is war.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Racingdown the front steps of the castle, I head west, pulling the hood of my cloak further over my face. The frigid air makes my toes curl in my boots, and my breath puffs in large clouds of white fog. I glance behind me a few times, feeling the sense that someone is following me, but in the dark, I don’t see a soul.
It’s close to the hollow hour, a time when I’d much prefer to be asleep, but I need to speak with Kaia about Nikolas. Instead of going through the back, I pass the guards at the front, one of them opening the door for me to enter. It’s so late at night that I don’t worry about anyone seeing me.
I’m halfway down the hall when the front door closes again with a thunk, signifying that someone has entered. There’s a familiar prickle of magic that drips down my spine, making me shiver. My steps immediately halt, and my head instinctively whips around out of paranoia.
A pair of grey eyes meets mine.
Oh.Fuck.
Turning on my heel, I dash, running as fast as my feet can carry me toward the back door. Casimir’s booming footstepsecho down the hall, and his magic wracks through me. I turn the corner and get a few more steps before Casimir’s arms tangle with mine. Casimir’s palm wraps around my throat, pinning me to the wall. His other hand slams to the wall beside my head, boxing me in with his body. Neither of us speaks right away as we catch our breath, the tension between us ready to snap.
“If you’re going to put your hand there, at least tighten your grip—” I start, but Casimir’s hand closes, cutting off my airway.
I let out a soft moan as he chokes me. I’ve never had a man’s hand around my throat, andgods, I like it. Like the way his body staves off the cold. Like the way I unravel his control despite the indignation on his face.
His gaze flickers with lust as he squeezes again, leaning closer. “You drive me to a level of madness no one else has dared to reach.” His patience reaches its limits. “What thefuckare you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” I point out, my voice strained.
“Don’t make me force it from you,” he replies, loosening his grip slightly so I can take a breath.
“What do you think I spent all that money on?” I insinuate, sparing him the details of how I own half of this brothel.
Casimir lets out a haughty laugh. “Such a menace…”
“And what is my scoundrel doing here?”
“Yourscoundrel…” he purrs. “I was looking for my pretty princess. She left the castle at a rathersuspicioushour.”
“Maybe I wanted you to follow me.” My voice is enticing.
“You look good with my hand around your throat.” Casimir tilts his head, and our lips brush together.
Casimir kisses me with unbridled need, biting down on my bottom lip and dragging it between his teeth. His tonguesweeps inside my mouth, twirling with mine in a maddening rhythm, his grip tightening around my throat.
