“Go to hell.”
Suddenly, the crystal end of Henri’s cane is at my throat, pressing into my skin. I yelp in surprise.
But he licks his lips, enjoying my pain and struggle. “Everything has to be so difficult with you,” he hisses, but there’s a smirk curling the corners of his mouth. “Just one kiss.”
For a split second, I consider it. Just a quick peck and maybe he will leave me alone. But the idea of doing something even that trivial makes my stomach turn. I don’t think I could do it without vomiting up my dinner.
When Henri’s head turns back toward his bedroom door, my gaze follows and what I see freezes me in place with fear. Cornelius and Keagan stand in front of it. Their hungry eyes flash black as they take their posts as Henri’s personal daytime guards.
My first reaction is to scream. Hopefully, Avrum is close by and maybe he can help in some way. But as I open my mouth, Henri’s hand presses against it, and my scream is muffled by his cool skin.
With his eyes changed to that terrifying, demonic black again, he leans down until his face is only a breath away from mine. I force myself to look away.
“Look at me,” he demands in a harsh whisper.
I squeeze my eyes closed.
The hand over my mouth shakes me. Hard. “Look at me!”
I obey, and a sickening smirk lifts his lips. “Much better.”
I squirm, but the grip he has on my face pins me in place.
“Don’t fight me, Haven,” he warns, as his lips brushed against my cheek. “You know you can’t win.”
It’s true, and I hate it. I’ve never wished death on anyone before, but for him, I pray for the most painful and cruel end a person could endure.
“Now…” Moving his kisses along my jawline, he removes his hand from my mouth. “Tell me you love me.”
I stare at him in disbelief. I would rather have my tongue ripped out than produce those words. Even if it’s only to fulfill this grand delusion he has.
His voice deepens as his irritation grows. “Say it.”
I don’t.
“Say it!”
“Never,” I snap. “I will never love you.”
The back of his hand meets my face with a hard smack that leaves my ears ringing. The pain is so harsh and sudden, my stomach roils and acid burns up my throat. My vision darkens for a second before the prickle of tears comes.
God, it hurts!
He examines his ringed finger. Upon the large onyx stone, my blood glistens. I can already feel a trail of it running down my cheek.
Pain now fueling my fury, and I grab his arms and wrench him off me. When I swipe at my cheek, my hand comes back red and bloody.
Henri’s unfazed. He brings the ring to his lips and licks the black stone clean. Then, he dips his head and lets his tongue catch the rest of it before it drips off my chin and onto my dress.
I shove him back, but he only laughs. “Hmmm… You are sure are delectable.”
“Don’t you dare touch me,” I bark, even though I’m trembling on the inside with a mixture of rage, disgust, pain, and fear.
“Oh, Haven,” he says almost sweetly, “I own you.” He reaches for the buttons of my bodice.
My heart thumps wildly in my chest, and I can’t stop the tears now as they begin to fall. I’ve never been this angry and scared in my life. “Leave me be!” I keep swatting at his hands, but it does little to deter him. “Leave me—”
When he finally meets my gaze, he pauses and his head tilts to the side. His thick brows knit together, and for a moment, he looks confused by what he sees. His eyes soften.
