“It is,indeed, that bad.” I replied, my lip curling reflexively. “What are you doing in here? This is most—”
“Inappropriate?” He murmured, lips tilting up as he reached out and fondled the fabric of my skirt.
“Yes.” I hissed, pulling the skirt of my dress out from his hand and stomped toward the bathing room. Cyrus chuckled once more, clearly amused by my reaction.
“Do you not think I should be able to see what belongs to me?” His tone was sultry, but his words hit me like the lash of a whip.
“I do not belong to you.” I told him, even as I tasted the lie on my tongue. I most certainly did, just not the way he wished.
Cyrus walked over to where I stood in the doorway of the bathing room. I glanced around, holding my dress tight to me, hoping it wouldn’t fall as I searched for another exit.
I found none, not in time. Cyrus was in my space in a heartbeat, reaching up to finger a lock of my hair. His scent, lightning and mint, filled my head as I breathed his proximity into me. He was much taller than me, forcing me to crane my neck to look up at him.
“But you do, Asteria.” Cyrus murmured, tugging my hair to make me keep my attention on him. “You’re merely human, and I am your master. You may not be willing to share my bed yet, but that does not mean I do not own you in every way.”
Cyrus was too confusing. One minute he was cold, the next hot. Another trying to be kind, then asserting his ownership of me and my status as a slave—never letting either of us forget our positions in society.
His size consumed me, and his smell was intoxicating. I fought tooth and nail to not get lost in it. The fortifications of my walls stood tall, fighting off the seductive tone of his voice attempting to overpower me, insisting that I forget the meaning of his words. I jolted, standing ramrod straight, recognizing his intentions.
And yet, still, it truly had been too long since I’d last felt a man between my thighs. My core throbbed at the very thought, longing to be filled and forget how empty it was. Like it knew if I consented to this man’s offer, it would likely be filled completelyin moments. I had to shake the lust off. A beautiful, dangerous Fae was not something I needed—especially between my legs. Especially not him.
If I was going to give into any Fae, I’d rather it be one like—
Purple eyes flashed before me, silver-white hair falling around my own face as he leaned in, inviting, teasing me with his mere presence…
I cut myself off immediately. Even in my own head, there was no place for thoughts of silver-white hair and purple eyes—of a soldier who drank me in the same way I yearned to consume him. He was an enemy, one whose kingdom would see me dead if I got too close. He was a beautiful lure, right into a deadly trap. I looked up at Cyrus’s blue eyes instead.
“What was that about at court today?” I demanded, glaring at him. Needing to cool things down before I lost my head.
“What do you mean?” He asked, eyes suddenly wary and full of surprise at my change in subject. He leaned back, studying me.
“You wanted me to help you, right?” I persisted, giving him a look and letting him know I was not in the mood to play games. “I’ve been doing my best to gather information, Cyrus, but I can’t do much without the full picture—” Cyrus raised a brow, a dubious, questioning look taking over his face, but I pushed on.
“Why was your mother accusing Lady Siria of treason?” Cyrus looked ready to interrupt, but I kept on, impatiently planting my hands on my hips. “And why did you insist on sending your best commander, when it was clear you didn’t agree with sending anyone in the first place?”
The more I questioned, the louder my voice rose. My frustration bubbled over from the lack of answers I’d received to the many questions I had. Cyrus glanced behind us, to where Priscilla was still on her knees.
“Get dressed. Then come talk to me.” Cyrus sighed, conceding the point, then ran a hand through his hair. He gave me a lingering look, before disappearing into the other room.
I sighed with relief, turning to Priscilla, and found her to be watching me warily. I cocked my head to the side, questioning, as I walked back over to her to finish getting out of this dress as quickly as possible.
“You must be more careful, Asteria.” Priscilla whispered in a voice so quiet that I barely heard her, even with her speaking directly into my ear. “Cyrus’s temper is legendary. It’s only so long until you push him too far, the way you go at him.”
I gulped at the thought. I knew I was pushing my limits, but I couldn’t help it. He drove me crazy. A part of me needed to get as far away as possible, while the other—as much as I was loath to admit it—wanted to give in to him. It would be so nice to let a handsome man take care of me and dress me in fancy clothes and jewels. It would be nice to have a man fill me up the way I desired—to feel us reach completion together.
I steeled myself in resolution, I refused to give in to those baser desires that tried to steer me around.
It was weak.
And I would never be weak. I would never be the type of person who needed another to fulfill their own happiness. I was never going to be some wilting flower, waiting for a man to take care of me. I’d never allow a man that much control over me.
Cyrus wasn’t a safe choice. He had already proved to be…turbulent, to say the least. As Priscilla cautioned, his temper was apparently legendary. He was dangerous and handsome. Scheming and yet kind when he wanted to be. Always passionate, but most certainly manipulative. The good did not outweigh the bad. I would not let him own more of me than he already did. Those innermost, squishy bits, my heart and soul—those parts of me were just for me. It was all I had in this world.
Cyrus might promise a way for me to gain power, but nothing would truly change. Society wouldn’t allow it. I would just be further under his thumb. He might let me hold my leash from time to time, but it would still be choked around my neck.
No power he gave me would ever compare to power I took for myself.
Freedom and the will to live anactuallife kept me alive—drove me further when the path got harder. A pretty face and lack of sex would not mess that up for me.
