At the mere thought, pain flares down my chest, stealing my breath and covering me in a cold sweat.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
My heart races, my breathing threatening to speed. I close my eyes and try to force a slow breath in and out, but it’s no use. The damn corset is too tight. “If you assist me and keep my secret…” A wave of sickness surges up my throat. “Then I’ll agree to hear Vincentius out.”
Valen clicks his tongue. “Tempting… but no.”
My eyes snap open to scowl at his satisfied smirk. My seduction isn’t working like I hoped and Valen knows he has me right where he wants me. What I need is to switch tactics and seize control. I have nothing over him and that’s going to make negotiations very difficult.
I need him to want to help me more than he wants to obey his father.
A very clever, or perhaps very stupid, idea blooms in my mind. My heart pounds as lies pour elegantly from my quivering lips, false desperation hushing my tone. “Valen. If I don’t get the amulet, Dimitar will kill me.”
The name-drop works. He goes still, the icy magic crackling over his blue irises until they glow blueish white. Violence drips from his voice. “The Amur?”
Slowly, I nod and hope that this lie works out better than when I used it with Lucas. I’m fairly certain Valen isn’t about tostorm out to hunt down the Amur like Lucas attempted. Valen is far more coolheaded and has less of a complex past with the Guild than my friend. It’s a gamble, but worth it if it works.
The tension is palpable. Valen’s fingers ripple in an agitated drum, magic whispering as they do. I almost smirk, but keep my expression beseeching and a little scared.
I make my voice small. “Would you consider a different deal?”
I can’t trade coming back to the Order. Not ever, or I will become infected by my curse as well, instead of simply being corrupted by it. Then again, I’m not sure if there would be much of a difference between the two. I’ve only read about curse-casting corruption and haven’t personally assessed Alasdair’s current state. All I know for sure is that I don’t need the added complication.
Valen’s gaze slides to the side, his jaw tense as he considers me. My lie is working, but not quite enough. I need to close the deal fast, so Lucas and I can get the hell out of here.
Slowly, I ease off the chair. Valen’s attention snaps back to me, his eyes lightly glowing in the dim firelight. I kneel at his feet, my hands resting on his knee. My robe slips down to my bent elbows. The blue with the sheer lace casts my pale skin in a delicious porcelain hue that catches the flickering firelight just so.
I peer up at him with wide eyes that brim with unsaid emotions. “Valen…”
The smallest of shivers gives him away. But he doesn’t move while he waits.
I take his tapping hand in mine. “Maybe I’m making a lot of assumptions.” I huff a small laugh, ducking my head for a moment. “Or a lot of wishful thinking, but if you want me back with the Order because of… us…”
I wet my lips, my thumb pressing into the back of his hand. He grips me back and it feels so good to be held by him, even in this small way. I bring our joined hands to my face and rest my cheek on them. “Maybe instead of the Order, I would consider returning to you instead. We can make a deal to try us again. I can give you two weeks of honest courtship. Then, who knows? Maybe I won’t want those two weeks to end.”
My mind knows that I’m playing him, but my stupid heart makes my words sincere. It’s a selfish deal, one where I get to pretend to fall into intoxicating love with Valentin Bauer. The sex would be amazing. The courting so lavish that dreams would be mundane in comparison. And in the end, I would walk away regardless.
Valen’s hand turns in mine, cupping my face. His thumb slides over my cheek, catching a tear and I startle, sniffling. “Oh.” I pull back. “Sorry.” Crying was not part of the plan.
But I don’t get far. He holds me there, his face close. He searches me. His voice is barely a whisper. “You don’t have to do that.”
I blink, trying to make the tears go away. “Do what?”
“Prostitute yourself to me.” There’s a sadness in his gaze and I lean into his hand. His other joins, cupping my neck. “I would never want that.”
“Is it prostituting if I want it?”
His lips twitch. “Maybe. That would be a debate for another time.”
I slide closer, bringing our faces in easy kissing distance. “We should probably focus on the more important things.”
“Probably.” His gaze drops to my lips. “Would be the smart thing.”
“Very smart. Definitely should focus.” My breasts press against the corset with my breath and my exhale whispers over his lips, parting them. “Why do we need to make a deal? It feelsso unnecessary.” My hands are on his neck and I’m not sure when that happened. I stroke the skin there greedily, my fingers sliding up into his soft hair.
Our noses brush. A small, needy sound comes from my throat, my heart thumping painfully. “Help me get the amulet, Valen.” My fingers snarl in his hair. “I need… I need…” His lips brush mine and my breath shivers.
His voice is low and soft. “What do you need, Tori?”
