It could be the delirium. The exhaustion. The malnutrition.
But my heart jumps into motion. Warmth washes over my legs and lower belly. Everything is doused with white-hot flames. And I can’t imagine wanting anyone else. The taste of his tongue as it slips into my mouth. His familiar scent. The way I’d know the texture of his skin if I were blind and falling into a deep sleep.
We fight to deepen the kiss, pulsing with desire and uncontained lust.
The euphoria is drenching the good sense I have to stop. But I can’t. I want him so badly, I’d have sex with him right now, on this stage, in front of everyone. My legs spread wider, and his growl vibrates against my lips.
If Niklaus wasn’t on top of me, everyone would see how much I need him. They’d see my red uniform darkened as I grow soaking wet. I writhe against his hard cock, rubbing against my clit.
But a brazen gust of air hits me. An empty space takes Niklaus’s place. He’s torn from my arms. He’s pushed to stand at the edge of the stage.
“I will not hurt my wife!” Niklaus yells, flipping off the Ringmaster.
The inmates combust into a bout of complaints, crying, screaming, begging, trying to run. And the Ringmaster looks downright pleased with this decision. He tips his tall black hat to Niklaus, the crow’s feet around his eyes creasing into dark lines as he beams at us.
Jack’s voice barely rises above the ongoing commotion.
“They’re going to take it out on all of us!” He forms a funnel around his mouth with his hands. “Join Sophia!”
I prop myself up on my elbows, staring at Jack in confusion.
I avert my eyes to the female prisoners scurrying to the sentinels with pleading hands, begging them with tears bulging from their eyes and hysterical voices.
Niklaus loops an arm around my waist and lifts me to my feet. The show shuts down. The fire ceases its explosive fireworks. The strange music scrapes to a stop. And the multitude of inmates are ants trying to outrun a tsunami of rain with nowhere to go.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“Everyone gets punished, I think.” He holds me close, strokes my back. “Consequences of not fighting to the death.”
“But that’s not fair!” I shrink away from the sentinels jabbing us with rods to join the others.
The stadium is drained of its entertainment. Like cattle being herded from one enclosed space to the next, whips are lashing across the backs of stragglers, and bull hooks are poking those who resist.
So, we follow behind Jack who seems to know the best ways to blend in and stay out of trouble.
“Are you angry with me?” Niklaus asks.
“Always.”
But I can still taste that kiss. And I’m not sure where it came from. We had that talk in the cave. We were in agreement. I feel so twisted and uneasy over the new desire that draws me into him.
“Good because I meant what I said,” he replies coldly.
I flick my gaze to him, sticking out my jaw. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I stand by not warning your father.”
Even though Niklaus has always shown me his true character, that of an incessant, insecure bully…why did I think things were different now? I am an idiot for even feeling that sting of betrayal.
“Even after kissing me?” I ask. My voice sounds so small. So defeated. And I am ashamed of myself for letting him have any control over these intimate feelings that are quickly being erased.
Niklaus stares ahead. “That kiss didn’t change anything for me. I only did it hoping the Ringmaster would find that more entertaining than the fighting.”
My thoughts fracture. One section mourning, and the other plotting. My immediate spike of anger isn’t loud—it’s ice cold. I cut my stare into him with wide eyes. There are absolutely no words to explain to him what that sentiment means to me…
It’s humiliation strangled by utter disbelief.
This fury coils low in my stomach, crouching and waiting patiently for the right thing to say. And as Niklaus finally shifts his attention down to me on the long march to our punishment, through the creepy prison halls—he waits for me to reply. Those unfeeling, indifferent blue eyes do a quick examination of my expression, trying to identify what I’m thinking.
