I set the goblet down with a clink. “You mean,Will you please dine with me tonight, Rose?” I roll my eyes. “Didn’t you ever learn how to court someone?”
“I never had to. I was a prince.”
“And handsome.” Thewhispshave made a centerpiece of glowing moonflowers on the table. The soft light caresses the fine planes of Bestian’s jaw. The mask makes his emerald eyes look darker. Almost black.
“Once.” Bestian’s voice is tight. Ah yes, he’s touchy about his looks.
“You should glance in a looking glass sometime. You’re still hot. I bet you were a player.”
“A player?”
“A guy who had many bed partners and no intention of committing to one.” There’s a little pang in my chest as I speak—like an echo of a past hurt. I choose to ignore it.
“An apt description of my former self. But I have no desire to speak of the past. Tell me, Rose, what you mean byhot.”
“Handsome. Sexy. Appealing.” I stop when I catch his amused expression.
“Go on,” he drawls. “What about me is appealing?”
“Your face—what I can see of it. Your eyes. Your body.” My skin tingles as I look him up and down. When I continue, my voice is huskier. “You’re very… large.”
“Do you like how large I am?”
I’m getting flustered, and take a sip of my drink to hide it. “You know I do. I've never come just from penetration before.” Now, why did I choose to introduce that into the conversation? Cheeks burning, I drain half the contents of my goblet.
Bestian picks up his own glass and toasts me, smirking. I guess I can't begrudge him a smirk. He is a god in bed.
Thewhispsbring more delicious-smelling dishes of food to the table and I busy myself with filling my belly. For a while, there’s nothing but the clink of our silverware and goblets. It’s pleasant, eating across from Bestian like this. Domestic.
“This is nice. We've been almost civil,” I tell him.
“Is it so hard to believe we could come to an accord?”
“I’d made up my mind to fight you,” I admit.
“Why?”
It’s a good question. He can fuck my brains out however and whenever he wants, but every time Bestian talks aboutsoulmatesorforever, something makes me want to run. Something intangible; something I can’t describe. “I like a challenge,” I say at last, because it’s true.
“You make a formidable opponent. But in the end, you will lose. This is your life now, Rose. You can fight me all you want—I enjoy it—but in the end, you will surrender.”
I tap a fingernail against my goblet. He's right. Until now, I’ve surrendered every time. My body betrays me.
“You know you belong here. You look like a queen.”
“According to you, I am one.” I raise my chin. “Is that not the truth?”
He toasts me again. “I will give you anything you want, Rose.”
“Except my freedom. A life outside the castle walls.”
“Except for that,” he admits.
We’ll see about that. “What would my duties be as queen?”
“You will live here and, Ulf willing, you will bear my heirs. The grounds will be yours to explore. But not beyond that. It is not safe for Omegas.”
“You have not made it safe for Omegas,” I correct him.
