"Whether I love him or not doesn't matter." She doesn't attempt to escape my touch. "The point is, I will marry him when an agreement is reached. It is my duty."
I take a bold step forward so I'm towering over her. She doesn't shrink, but her breathing shifts and I know the attraction is not one sided. "What if you were meant to be with someone else?"
Hagar's eyes dip to my lips. "Maybe in another life I could have found happiness with another." She flicks her gaze upward once more to meet my stare.
"I've learned recently life is precious," I say softly, rubbing my thumb over her pulse point to see if her heartbeat matches my own. "And I've been wasting mine chasing temporary thrills."
"If what Aurelia says is true and war is upon us," she presses herself against me. "Then it doesn't really matter what either of us wants. Duty will always come before pleasure."
"I've always been of the mindset you can mix duty and pleasure. Makes life more exciting." I ram my palm to the wallshe's pinned against. She makes no attempt to move. "You don't love him," I whisper.
Her eyes narrow. "You're certain?"
"You wouldn't be looking at me the way you are if you truly loved him." By her silence, I know I'm right. But I have to know for sure. "Tell me you love him. Tell me you aren't tempted by me in the slightest, and I will let the matter die here and now."
"I am General Naziri's daughter. I have a duty – "
I lean closer, our faces within a breath of one another. Her chest rises and falls against my own and if I'm not careful, my heart will rip from my chest and run away. "Do you love him?"
Hagar swallows. "He is a – "
"Do. You. Love. Him?" I interrupt and she finally shakes her head.
"No."
"Do you want me?" I ask, pressing my forehead to hers.
She inhales deeply, digging her fingers into my shirt. She's fighting whatever is happening between us. "No," she rasps.
"Now is not the time to start lying, Hagar Naziri." I slide my hand into her hair and tug her face upward. "You value blunt honesty, so don't insult me with lies. Do you want me?"
Her breathing hitches. "You are a temptation I cannot afford."
"So, you find me tempting?" I smirk.
A wicked gleam flashes in her face. "I find you annoying."
Time to call her bluff. I release her and take two giant steps back. I wave my hand between us. "Then walk away."
Hagar doesn't move a muscle.
"You might not want to admit it, but I see the way you look at me."
She pins her palms to the wall behind her, her fingers twitching. "And how am I looking at you?"
"The same way I breathe you in and still can't get enough." Her brows fly upward. I caught her off-guard. I have a feeling I'm thefirst man to truly surprise her. "Tell me I'm wrong and I'll walk away."
Her lips part, but before she can say anything, a man from my left comes into view and asks, "Hagar, is everything all right?"
Hagar stiffens. Something is wrong. All flashes of desire are doused the second she twists to the newcomer. I glance in the same direction. A man with a dragon tattoo on his chest frowns at us, as if he's calculating what's transpiring between us. Realization strikes me hard and fast.
With one last exchanged glance with Hagar, my suspicions are confirmed. This is her soon-to-be-fiancé.
"Tariq," Hagar motions to me. "This is Nyx. Nyx Harland. He's the Tronovian Helios and I found in the desert a few nights ago."
"It's nice to meet you." I extend my hand to him, but he doesn't move. I clear my throat, slicing through the tension. "I was wandering around the city and got lost. I was asking Hagar how to get back to the General's house."
Tariq's suspicious brow doesn't falter.
