Page 24 of Consort of the Crime Queen

I'm aware how laughable it sounds.

Lyssa's stare doesn't waver, but I sense her reevaluation of me in her subtle shift in posture. After a strained beat, I add in a smaller voice, "I need you to toughen me up more, Lyssa. I had Nero laid out on the floor back at the Imperioli place, and I couldn't do it. Couldn't kill him when I had the chance."

Admitting that failure out loud stings, but Lyssa's expression remains carefully neutral. "Nothing wrong with that. Taking a life changes you. Not everyone's made for killing."

I release a shaky breath. "But if I had been tough enough to do it…"

"Doesn't mean you're not tough." Lyssa reaches out to squeeze my arm, just once. "You've got steel in you, Suzy. We all know that."

I nod slowly, even as doubt niggles at me. "Maybe. But I need to be harder. We both know there's trouble ahead."

Lyssa studies me for a long moment. "I'll tell you this: Hadria needs soldiers at her side, not martyrs." She pokes a finger into my sternum. "So you better not go falling on any swords for her."

I crack a wry half-smile at that imagery. "Wouldn't dream of it."

We share a look of understanding before Lyssa steps back, expression smoothing over.

"Hit the showers. Hadria'll be back soon, and I know she'll want to see you right away." Just like that, the moment passes. I dip my head in acknowledgment and head for the locker room, lost in thought.

Once I've washed training's grime away, Mario and the others have also come into the locker room. The mood is light as they joke and tease each other. Mario makes space for me on the bench when I approach, inclining his head respectfully.

"You've gotten really good, you know."

I bump his shoulder with mine. "Guess all those bruises you gave me paid off."

His smile turns serious. "Nah, it's more than that. You've got, like, this fire in you now." He squints at me. "Not sure what's changed, but it's like you've decided…nothing's gonna stop you anymore."

I absorb his words as the others chime in with their own jokes and encouragement. He's right. I have changed. I don't know yet who I'll be when this is all done, but the old Aurora died the day Hadria claimed me, stole me away from a wedding I never wanted and was thrilled to escape.

I'm no longer some naive little girl. I'm not yet the hardened warrior that Lyssa or Hadria is—but I'm still changing. Still forming. Still finding my own identity in this world of Elysium.

And there's no going back now to what I once was.

CHAPTER 13

Hadria

I return to Elysium feeling no happier than when I left, but the moment I enter my private chambers, the stresses of the day melt away as my gaze falls upon Aurora. She reclines on the black satin sheets of my bed, dark blonde hair fanned across pillows, wearing nothing but a coy smile. Her body is displayed for my pleasure, all graceful limbs and soft curves.

Desire licks through me like flame. I pull off my leather jacket with fumbling fingers, suddenly desperate to join her.

"Eager, are we?" Aurora teases, as I strip off in a hurry.

I'm drawn to the bed, drinking in the sight of her. Aurora watches me, blue eyes darkening, lower lip caught between her teeth. I know that look.

"I want to do very wicked things to you, Sunshine. Will you let me?"

"Yes please."

I capture her wrists, pinning them over her head. She makes a soft noise of approval that shoots straight to my core. Leaning down, I claim her mouth in a bruising kiss, staking my claim. Our tongues tangle as I grind my hips against hers, letting her feel my need. I lavish attention on her slender throat, leaving love bites down to the swells of her breasts.

Aurora whimpers, arching into me. I take a taut nipple between my teeth, worrying it gently as she gasps. My hands roam her body boldly, tracing every hollow and curve until she trembles beneath me.

"Hadria," she breathes, "I need you."

I smile against her feverish skin. "Tell me what you need."

Her cheeks flush deliciously. "I need your tongue. Please."

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