Page 26 of Little Blue

She stiffens, the flush in her cheeks from the hot soup draining away quickly. She croaks, “What?”

“I will not kill them.” I eye her and amend, “So long as you behave.”

She lifts her little chin in an act of bravery that falters when her bottom lip wobbles. “I’m tired again.”

“If you wish to shower or use the restroom,” I gesture to another door, and her eyes drift to it before sliding quickly back to me.

She nods once. “Thank you. You can leave now.”

I feel a wick of surprise at her words. Cocking my head to the side, a brow rises. “I can leave?”

She nods again. “Yes. I wish to be alone.”

I almost laugh. I do rise from my chair. A trickle of excitement quickening in me when she stands her ground as I close the space between us. My brave, Little Blue.

I stop in front of her, a breath of space between us. I don’t touch her, however, as I explain, “This is my room, Little Blue.”

“Then I want another room.”

How adorable. “You will share my room, my bed.”

She takes a step back at this. Her face has gone pale again, her blue eyes wide. “I won’t sleep with you.”

“You will. Every night.”

Horror washes the last remnants of the heat of the soup from her face, stealing the bright from her eyes. Her words are an aghast breath between us. “You’re going to rape me?”

My entire body grows stiff. “No. For that, Little Blue, you will beg.”

“I won’t.” Her chin wobbles and she tugs the blanket tighter around her tiny body. I want to pull her close and defeat every fear that plagues her—even if I am the very thing that haunts her.

“You will. For now,” I lift my chin in the direction of my bed. “Sleep.”

“With you?”

My blood heats. I keep my voice steady. Calm. “Yes.”

“No.”

This time, I do reach out for her when the urge strikes. Gripping her chin between thumb and finger, I force her eyes to mine. They slam into me with a force that nearly steals my breath.

Fuck. “You’re mine, Irelynn. Mine. You will sleep next to me every night. I will hold you. I will kiss you. I will touch you, and when you beg me, I will fuck you. Until then, you’ll sleep next to me where I know you are safe.”

Angry tears flood her eyes. “You’re dangerous. I’m not safe with you. I’ve never been in more danger in all my life.”

“You’re right.” I begin coolly, my eyes locking on hers. This is something I need for her to understand. “You’ve never been in the presence of someone as dangerous, as lethal as me. I’ve slain many monsters and have yet to encounter one more deadly than myself. I’ve torn flesh from bone, hearts from chests, and made grown men who own monstrous sins, scream for mercy. I’ve claimed more souls than I can count, and I will claim more before my time comes to an end, this I promise you. But as monstrous as I am, as lethal and dangerous, as toxic and violent, I will only ever be gentle with you. For you, I would lay down my own life. I would trade myself to an eternity of torture, simply to ensure your safety, your comfort.” Her lips part on a shuddering exhale I long to taste. “So, you will sleep next to your monster every night, where I know you are safe, Irelynn. In this, you will behave. This is not a negotiation. Am I understood?”

Twelve

Irelynn

The house is grander than any I’ve been in ever before. It’s not only grand in décor, but it’s grand in size. The thing has got to be a mansion, I think, as I make my way down a set of wide, dark wood stairs covered by a rich, plush cream runner.

After Ilya’s spiel the night before, where he said enough to completely frazzle my brain, I’d pulled my blanket tighter around myself before settling into the bed. He’d settled beside me, but did not touch me once in the night, thank goodness. My mental capacity to deal with the turn my life has taken had been totally shot.

I couldn’t have coped with his touch. Not then.

I’ve always rented month-to-month, so I suppose I won’t have to worry a whole bunch about being slapped a financial blow after ducking out on a lease. As I pay my rent two months ahead, I’m covered until the end of January. That means I have around fifty days to convince Ilya to return me to my old life, before Junk Lord Kenneth sells my stuff, and gives away my place.

---