Doubt crept in. Maybe I was in over my head. But before I could spiral and lose confidence, I focused on the woodsy and smokey scent coming off his skin—one that told me he was mine and I was his.
I chose to believe in our fated bond. To block my thoughts and listen to my heart instead.
“I’m not wrong,” I said, holding eye contact instead of blushing and looking away as usual. The determination to be with him and complete our bond gave me the strength to face him head on without backing down. “And I’ll prove it to you.”
There was a tic in his jaw. “You truly are a pest.”
“Buzz, buzz.” I poked the hollow of his cheek.
His composure faltered, revealing a hint of a smile. “Varys is expecting me for our daily briefing. I haven’t the time to stand here and play these silly games.”
“Yeah. I should probably head to the kitchen,” I said, glancing at the fading daylight. “Fane and I need to prepare tonight’s dinner.”
“You shouldn’t keep him waiting then.” Lord Onyx turned away from me. Silky black hair brushed the middle of his back, and I ached to run my fingers through it. Ached to throw my arms around him because I knew this was an act—that he felt exactly as I did but was just scared.
I silently followed him down the path and out of the greenhouse. When time came for us to part ways, he merely glanced at me before continuing down the corridor.
A glance filled with anticipation and raw hunger.
Both excitement and desire burrowed in my belly. He was going to be a challenge unlike any other.
***
Being eye-fucked all throughout dinner made it hard to actually taste anything. I could’ve been eating packing peanuts for all I knew.
Lord Onyx sat in his usual seat at the head of the table and watched me between drinks from his goblet and bites of food, of which he ate very little. Maybe my presence affected him too. Only the taste of each other would suffice. Everything else remained flavorless on our tongues.
Or maybe he disliked root vegetable stew?
Rowan didn’t have that problem. He ate one bowl, then went for a second, scooping up the stew with thick slices of warm bread. The knight trio were each on their third helping. Good thing Fane and I had cooked a huge pot.
A certain pair of red eyes found me again. Warm flutters mingled with the lust Onyx had awakened earlier in the greenhouse. How he’d pulled me closer and glided his mouth along my throat. How he’d, in not so many words, invited me to his bed.
Damn demon lord.
When it was time to bring out the dessert, I couldn’t hop up and run from the room fast enough. Escape, really. My heart went nuts in my chest as I found my way to the kitchen, took a few deep breaths, and returned with a chocolate sponge cakethat was rolled and filled with strawberry buttercream. Fane came in behind me with coffee and more tea.
The cake was a hit. Not that you could really go wrong with the combination of strawberry and chocolate.
What I didn’t expect was for Lord Onyx to take one of the sliced strawberries I’d used to decorate the top and slowly bite into it, his darkening gaze pinned to me.
Throat dry, I swallowed to wet it and focused on my plate. Double damn him. He claimed he didn’t want love or attachments, but he was interested in fucking me at least. Surrendering to him in the bedroom might work in my favor.
Sex had the power to bring people closer. Hopefully powerful enough to break through his walls too and make him see the truth. That we were meant for each other. Because I knew he felt our fated mate connection. Fear just held him back.
Not that I could blame him. Love was terrifying. It was like cracking your ribs and prying them open, revealing your beating, vulnerable heart. And hoping the person you showed it to didn’t take a dagger and plunge it in deep.
But before I could pursue the demon lord any further, I needed to discuss it with my men.
Which was exactly what I did as soon as we left the dining parlor and returned to our room. I told them everything Lord Onyx and I had discussed in the greenhouse, right down to him saying all I’d get from him was a hard fuck.
“You killed him,” Lake said, ears perked up as he looked at Maddox, who was slumped on the small couch in front of the fire, eyes shut.
“He’s not dead.” Rowan pointed to our captain. “Look at his temple. That vein’s bulging.”
I went over and knelt on the floor in front of Maddox, taking his hand in mine. “Hey, big guy. Talk to me.”
He grumbled something under his breath.
