Page 61 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

I barely had time to grasp the emptiness before a shirtless Vincent shoved me against the neighboring wall. My eyes raked over him even as he held the cold blade of a knife pressed against my throat. Oh. Not a shirtless Vincent, but a very naked, very well-endowed Vincent.

“You’re naked,” I whispered, shutting my eyes tightly. “Oh gods, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s my room. I can be,” he snapped back, clearly agitated.

Half of his body was pressed against me, and I didn’t dare risk a look down to see what else was touching me.

Stop thinking about naked Vincent, you sex-starved psycho!

I shook my head. “How did you see past my cloaking spell?”

“Spend eons around the goddess who created all witches, and you learn a thing or two, like how certain, powerful magics smell like herbs.”

“Is there a reason why you are still naked and holding me?” I asked.

“Is there a reason you are in my room well past dusk?”

I swallowed. “Fair point. Can you lower the blade from my throat?”

“Drop your spell.”

My spell dropped the second I whispered the incantation, and Vincent stepped back. He turned, giving me the opportunity to examine his perfectly muscled backside, but it was the zig-zag patterns of scars that covered his back that drew my eyes. His long, dark hair partially covered them. I wondered if that was why he kept it long. Did he use the silky strands as a veil to hide things he wished others not to see?

“I heard a groan.”

“And your immediate thought was to run toward my room? I could have been with another,” he said, grabbing a pair of loose bottoms and slipping them on.

“Nismera will never let another touch you. I’ve seen the way she treats you. Everyone does. Besides, I know the happy groans from the pain groans.”

His brows rose slightly, and I realized what I said.

“I mean, it’s not like you guys are quiet.” I waved my hand. “Forget it.”

He folded his arms over his chest. The movement made his biceps bulge, and against my better judgment, my mouth watered. “What do you want, Camilla?”

His words shook me from my inappropriate thoughts. “I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to make sure you are okay.” It was the truth, and his eyes seemed to soften. “And maybe to talk to someone I actually know. I haven’t seen you in days.”

A dark chuckle left his lips. “I’m surprised you noticed. I figured you’d be too busy with Kaden down your throat.”

My cheeks burned at his words, but mostly from irritation. Gods above and below, I hated this damn ruse. “He is not down my throat.”

Vincent’s eyes roamed over me, and my body flushed. “I really don’t care where he is at.”

“You sound like you care.”

“I don’t.”

I huffed. “Then why are you avoiding me?”

“Funny story, Camilla. My world does not revolve around you.”

This time, when my body heated, it was pure rage. I stomped forward and felt the hair on the back of my neck raise as my magic swirled. “It damn sure feels like it. You dragged me here, you tossed me through that damn portal, and now your psycho girlfriend has you as my personal guard. The only time I get to go outside and eat something besides cold soup is when you are with me. Every damn day you are away, it’s my room, the workstation, and back. The other guards don’t care. So yes, your world revolves around me. I deserve that damn much.”

Vincent’s brows deepened at the mention of my day-to-day before his eyes dropped. A clear sign he cared more than he let on. “Fine.”

“Fine,” I huffed.

He turned away to sit on his bed, and I noticed the long red marks across his side. Dried blood still clung to his skin in places, as he’d tried to clean it but couldn’t reach it all. That’s why he’d been groaning.

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