Dear Guardians. What in the actual fuck did she just say? Were all mortals such terrible liars?
She tucked hair behind her ear, exposing more of her face. The clerk’s eyes widened—fixated on the gems across her forehead.
His demeanor shifted instantly, almost shrinking in her presence.
“Forgive me, My Lady,” he said quickly. “I was not informed a royal would be passing through my checkpoint today.”
Without further question, he stamped her permit and handed it back. “Welcome back to the Kingdom of Terrain, Your Majesty.”
The guards stepped aside and bowed as she walked through the gate.
I stopped and gawked at the ridiculous sight.
“Move along, slave,” one of the guards grunted at me. They studied me like I was some filthy concubine.
I ground my teeth, fighting my flames. My long sleeves covered my gems, so I couldn’t even pass as a high-born Earth Fae.
I had never been so disrespected. So degraded.
I was the High Lord of the Kingdom of Flame. I could have turned them to ash where they stood.
But thanks to this incompetent mortal, I swallowed my pride and followed Delilah through the gate with my head down to avoid suspicion, my skin burning with outrage with every step.
When we were far enough down the path and alone, I snapped.
“What the hell was that, human?” I hissed.
She didn’t flinch. Like she’d been waiting for it, which only irritated me more.
“What’s wrong, Titus?” she asked mockingly. “You don’t like being a sex slave? … Weird.”
Oh good. We’re back to the slavery lecture. Again I ignored the jab. “I could have you killed for that display of disrespect,” I replied darkly.
She ignored me and kept walking ahead.
My temper flared. I needed to remind her who I was and put her in her place.
I fast traveled in front of her and wrapped a hand around her throat, applying pressure to the sides so she could breathe, but firm enough that she understood: "listen," I commanded.
She gasped at the sudden movement.
The moment I looked at her in my grip, my anger began to subside—morphing into a different kind of heat.
“Let me make this very clear,” I growled. “I am a High Lord. You are a powerless, fragile mortal. It would be wise for you to remember that.”
Then I pulled her closer and breathed into her ear.
“And for the record… if I were your whore, Delilah, make no mistake—I would be very, fucking good at it.”
Her body trembled, but not with fear.
Because the forest air flooded with the delicious scent of her desire.
Our hearts hammered in our chests. I wanted to kiss her. My mouth hovered over hers andthen—
I forced myself to release her and push her away.
I knew that a third denial would be impossible. Each time I’d tried to resist her, my will had frayed further, and now there was nothing left of it. I had been strong at first, but even a roaring forest fire could be doused with enough rain.
