“That also pleases you,” he says calmly.
My cheeks go hot. “That is a wildly arrogant interpretation. You don’t have any idea what pleases me.”
His gaze lowers, slow enough to feel like a touch. “Your breathing changed when you looked at me.”
My mouth drops open. “My breathing changed because you’re invading my personal space.”
He takes another step closer. “And now?”
My heart flutters. “Now you’re proving my point.”
“I can see your heartbeat in your neck. What is it that makes your pulse quicken?”
“Maybe I’m preparing to stab you,” I say with exasperation.
“With what?” he asks, still calm.
I look around the room. There are sharp weapons mounted all over the walls. Fat lot of good any of them would do against Rythar. “With my sharp wit,” I sigh.
His mouth twitches.
I fold my arms, which only makes him look at them. “Stop. You know you’re attractive. Don’t make me say it. You know what’s ugly? Making someone your captive. Putting your mate in a cage.”
“You think I cage you,” he says. “But you returned to me.”
“I did, but—” I break off.
“And now,” he adds, voice lower still, “my warriors know you did. They see that you chose me.”
In other words, my public rejection of him is cured, right along with the serpent-panther bite. “So what?” I retort. “You know the truth. You know being mated to you wasn’t my choice.”
Rythar cups my face in his hands and waits until I look into his eyes. “No. It wasn’t. But I think with time, you will choose me.” He says it like my returning to him wasn't the beginning of a negotiation but the end of one.
His thumbs rest beneath my cheekbones. His large fingers cup my head. His naked body is far too close. I should jerk away. Instead, my eyes drop to his mouth.
A slow, satisfied heat enters Rythar’s gaze, and I shove his hands away before I can do something unforgivable. Like lean in.
“You can think whatever you want,” I snap. “I’m not falling for you just because you’re good-looking.” I say it forcefully. If I’m forceful enough, I might convince both of us.
His mouth curves. “Then let us eat. Choosing me can wait until after breakfast.”
CHAPTER 18
WHAT’S THE WAY TO A WOMAN’S HEART?
ELENA – RYTHAR’S FORTRESS IN THE GREEN REACH
I walk backand forth in front of the window in Rythar’s room.
An attendant carries in a large tray of food and retreats. I ignore it.
Rythar watches me pace until my stomach growls. I grit my teeth and try to ignore it, but Rythar's attention sharpens.
“You are hungry,” he says, already moving, pulling me to the tray of food.
“Eat,” he commands. The word comes out sharp.
I want nothing from him. No favors that he can coax me into repaying later.
