I push him back just enough to catch my breath, his mouth moving feverishly down the edge of my jaw as I whisper, "you're not a monster."
The words stop him sharply, and the absence of his lips against my skin leaves me cold. "History would argue otherwise." His head falls to my shoulder, and I weave my hands into his hair,trying not to shudder as his fingers skim the bottom of my breasts.
"He broke the boy you were once — don't give him the satisfaction of breaking the man you've become. He doesn't get to take away one more thing from us."
Rorin lifts his eyes to me, dragging his fingers along the side of my chest and up the column of my throat until his palm wraps behind my neck. "Tell me again…"
"I hate you," I mutter, humor filling my voice. He responds with a sharp tug to the hair at the base of my neck, and a wide smile breaks across my face.
"Again."
"I…hate…you." I snark, darting out of his hold and out into the dimly lit hall.
"Damn woman." He huffs, his heavy footsteps picking up the chase. "You're going to pay for that, Nightmare."
I can't help the laughter that bubbles out from my chest when I look over my shoulder, anticipation rising with my heartbeat, the closer he gets. Fingertips graze my waist, and I squeal, jumping away from the touch.
Regrettably, I misjudge my distance and land squarely against his opposite hand, his arms quick to secure across my waist again. Struggling against his grip, his fingers move deftly along my skin, causing my fit of laughter to grow louder as he tickles. "No. No no no no! Rorin!"
"Tell me those three little words, or this is going to get a lot more uncomfortable for you."
"I hate you." He snorts, his head falling on top of mine as he tightens his hold. "Don't you da—" movement catches in my peripheral vision, and my head snaps towards the shadows.
Rorin slows his movement, feeling the shift in my demeanor, setting me back down firmly on the ground. We each reach forour weapons, my dagger feeling cold in my palm as I release it from its sheath.
I grip onto it tightly as the voices attached to two shadowy figures become clearer.
Felix comes into view first, and relief starts to fill my chest. Instinctually, I start to put my dagger away, but Rorin stays my hand.
I tilt my chin up to look at him. His brows have pulled together in a scowl, his eyes darkening. With a harsh shove, he pushes me back, putting himself between Felix and me.
"Rorin…" Our head of council’s voice draws out a warning plain in his tone, and I try to peer around my husband's bicep.
"How dare you?" He breathes.
Forcing his arm out of my way, I step forward, planting myself next to him again. My stomach plummets when I see who's standing beside him.
"Ezra."
My vision blackens the moment our eyes lock. Felix's head tilting as he tracks my movements, "just— hear him out."
“You’re fucking joking.” I huff, forcing my Wield down until my vision is normal enough to storm my way into the throne room, Rorin at my heels.
The guards outside the doors bolt at the sight of us, and when I’m unable to hold onto my magic any longer, I release a wave of black towards the doors. They swing open forcefully, revealing Vada already looming over my dais.
"Oh, good, you're here."I bite through our bond, marching my way up the stairs until we are nose to nose.
Her golden eyes narrow at the magic spilling freely from me,"control yourself, human."
The serpents adorning my skin rattle their inked tails as I, again, will the Wield back into them, hoping it'll stay put this time until I'm ready.
Rorin moves behind me, keeping an iron-tight grip on my shoulder while a haggard Ezra stumbles in front of us."You can let go."
He growls down the seal,"i'd rather cut off my limbs."
Noted.I think to myself as I bring my attention over to my former guard. "Alright, Felix dear, you wanted me to hear him out. I'm listening." Ezra exchanges a nervous look with him before moving forward a step, lifting his ice blue stare towards us.
"I know what I did was wrong…" Rorin scoffs at the lame admittance, and I reach my hand up my shoulder until our fingers interlock. "When you left—"
