Page 76 of To Bleed A Kingdom

I don't know why, but instead of reacting like any sane person would in the face of his wrath, my body fills with excitement, desperate to see how far I can push him.

“Well, maybe I am,” I purr. Slapping his arms away, I shove at his chest and raise my hand, a loud smack ringing in the air when I slap his cheek.

Gasps sound behind me.

“He just got bitch slapped,” Kace says.

“Do you still think locking us up was a good idea?” Amara asks.

“I’m regretting that decision more and more with each moment that passes,” Tristan replies.

Cheek reddening by the second, Darius’ lip curls as he moves to his feet with a growl. “Lena…”

Gods, he’s furious. Maybe I shouldn't have slapped him.

I lunge forward and slap his other cheek.

Or twice. Definitely shouldn't have slapped him twice.

He stills, all but for the muscle ticking in his cheek and the veins throbbing in his neck, and tries to control his rage, but I can see in his eyes the exact moment that thinly-held control snaps.

“Fuck it,” he snarls and jabs at my shoulder.

I swat it away.

He pauses, frowning down at my hand before he jabs at my other shoulder.

I swat that one away as well.

Surprised but undeterred, he lunges for me.

I spin, laughing as he rushes past.

Turning to face me, his anger evaporates. In its place is intrigue, a curious light flashing behind those blue eyes as he evaluates me from head to toe. Reassessing me.

He swings at my cheek so incredibly slow that I know he's holding back.

Snapping my head to the side, I dodge his blow with a roll of my eyes. “I'm not one of your untrained females, Darius. You don't need to hold back.”

“I can't hit you with full force,” he replies, his brows knitting together. “You're a woman.”

“That won't stop me from hitting you,” I reply with a shrug, right before I punch him in the nose.

A collective “Ooooohhhh” echoes within the trees.

Wiping beneath his nose, he studies the blood smeared on his fingertips with a shocked expression.

“Don't worry.” I grin. “I won't use my full strength on you, either.”

Blood no longer flowing with his immortal healing, he swipes away the last remnants of crimson and bares his teeth on a feral smile “Alright, let's see what you got.”

His fist whips out and I barely have time to block it with my forearm.

Shit, that was fast.

He swipes at my stomach and I suck in before leaping back, his fingertips grazingmy vest.

He smirks. “Having second thoughts?”

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