“You made me lose my place.”
“Find it tomorrow,” I say callously, tossing the book to the bed table. “You’ve barely slept these last few weeks. You need to rest.”
“I slept just fine without you here.”
I grab the blankets, shoving them aside, and throw her legs under them. She makes an undignified squeak when my hand touches her bare flesh, jumping as if burned.
Grabbing her chin, I smile into her face. “Liar.”
“Is this fun for you? More ways to demonstrate your power here?” She tries to kick the covers away, but I pull them back.
“Oh, kitten, I haven’t even begun to demonstrate my power.” I release her and she scurries away to the edge of the bed. “In fact, if I were to use my powers, I’d have you naked in my bed, not wearing that mouthwatering lace.”
My words unleash her fiery rage, the least of which turns me on, body primed from her fight. Give me her fire, her hatred, I’ll gladly weather the storm.
In the forest, I saw the softness of the woman who would save anyone she deemed worthy of compassion and was drawn to it. It was so odd to see someone still so full of kindness after being shunned, hurt by the world. Now? Now, I’ve seen her fury and fight, and have fallen madly, stupidly in love with her for it.
“I’m going back to the dungeon.” She moves to the door and I dart there, blocking her exit. My chest is bare, and her cool hands press there to stop from crashing.
The touch is like lightening, racing over my arms, through my chest, right to my heart. Every beat thuds painfully, as if seeking her skin once again. I’ve always considered my heart dead—but no, it only beats for the blood summoner.
“You’re to be my wife,” I growl, want bleeding into my voice. I can’t hold it back, my beast completely slipping into my words. “You will stay in my bed, beside me. That is the only place you belong.”
Her lip curls in disgust. “You may think you have me,ownme, heir. But I will never be yours.” Her eyes are bright, the oceanic blue almost black with rage. “You lost that right weeks ago.”
The fury that pulses in my hands is enough to choke the life from her neck. But I refrain. Just barely. Gods, only I would be saddled with a mate who drives me insane with lustandrage. “Get back into bed, kitten,” it’s a command. But inside, I’m yearning to be near her again.
I didn’t realize the control she had over me. I’m her puppet, and she doesn’t even need her magic to command me. She could ask for my surrender, and I would gladly give it.
When she doesn’t move, I cross my arms. “I will pick you up and put there myself if you don’t move.”
Wariness floods her vision but she remains still.
My hellcat wants to be pushed, forced. Because she doesn’t fear me—not in the traditional sense. Of all the emotions I smell from her, fear is not one of them.
She hates me, wants me, but she knows she’s safe with me. Even if her lips won’t say it.
Fine. I can play this game.
Picking her up, I swing her over my shoulder, her weight as light as air.
“Kaden!” She roars, the hellcat thrashing in my hands. Ignoring her, I take pleasure in how her body feels in my hands. Stalking back to the bed, I deposit her in a huff, lace shifting, revealing the matching pair of panties beneath.
Azure above, she’s going to kill me.
“Bed,” I grumble, trying to refrain from jumping on top of her.
Max glares, cheeks red. “Are you being serious?”
“Deadly.”
I grab the covers, opening them wide, and tuck her in snugly.
Finally, I can breathe, though it’s pained. I hunger for her. Hunger for her body, yes, but forher. My soul misses its other half.
This isSeti’s Hell, I’m sure of it.
My shadows rise, extinguishing the flames, as I slide into the cool sheets. Max slowly sinks down into the bed, her weight a delicious pleasure, and I exhale.
