Page 69 of Taken By Touch and Torment

Kole handed me my drink with a small smile.

I swallowed, and for a panicked moment I realized I’d dropped my mask, revealing a glimmer of my real emotions. I decided to use the lapse as an opportunity for honesty.

“I’m just trying to survive. I’ve heard Durian’s pets tend to have shortened lifespans.” I handed him back the drink after taking a swig. The bubbles soothed my nervous stomach. We were entering dangerous territory—our game entering the realm of the real.

His smile fell. “I see.” He paused. “I like you, Scarlett. You’re perhaps the only person in this castle I can speak openly with.”

“I feel the same,” I lied, letting my nervousness make me appear vulnerable. “Why are you entertaining the born? Aren’t you afraid how that will look to the turned?”

Kole’s eyes flashed with amusement. “Ah, perhaps you could answer that—why would I be entertaining the born?”

“You have a vendetta against the turned.”

Surprise shocked his features. “I am not ruled by my vendettas. If I were, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Not a denial, but also clearly not where he was leading me. I found it fascinating that I was so underestimated in this world of powerful men that I was able to speak plainly with Kole in a way that not even Durian could.

I thought about his question. I parsed through the words spoken at the meeting outside of Aristelle. Durian had said something like I’ve enjoyed my long correspondences with King Earle these past weeks. That had surprised me at the time, though it didn’t look like it had surprised Rune.

I knew that Kole felt mistreated by his superiors. I knew that he was out for himself, above all others. But how did he feel about the king? I was missing something. And I wished Rune and I had discussed Ravenia’s political landscape in greater detail.

I cocked my head. “You’re entertaining the born because Durian has become close to Earle,” I said. “And Durian is a new power. You already understand Rune and the turned. It’s Durian and the new born lords that you have less information about.”

Kole’s lips quirked up, a silent approval of my interpretation. Then his eyes strayed to my body, and his desire flared.

I grabbed his chin. I’d gotten better at pretending to be dominant in the bedroom.

My secret?

My utter fucking hatred for these born psychos. My ever-building wrath. My thirst for retribution.

As my fingers dug into his cheeks, Kole looked up into my eyes as if he were head-over-heels in love with me.

“Pathetic,” I spat. Then, I softened my facial expression, took another swig of my drink, and placed the glass back in his hand, before removing my touch. I sat up and spread my legs, placing my feet on either side of his kneeling form.

He fought the urge to glance between my thighs, keeping my gaze instead.

“This place is killing me,” I began. “I think you can see that.”

I turned my allure on full blast, sneaking between the cracks of Kole’s psyche and capitalizing on his aching needs, his unmet fantasies, and his fragile male ego. I envisioned my magick wrapping around us, twisting our paths to the desired outcome.

“I want to do something naughty, and I need your help to do it.” I traced his jawline with my fingernail. “I want a night out in Hatham with you.”

He raised a brow with a sigh. “Scarlett,” he said, breaking his use of kink honorifics—not a good sign. “I will not aid in any escape plot.”

I remained calm. His words didn’t match his overwhelming desire. He wanted to please me. He just needed more convincing.

“Escape?” I shook my head with an easy smile. “I want to go out. To Black Sapphire. I’ve never been, and I am so, terribly bored.” I pouted dramatically.

He relaxed an inch, still skeptical as he leaned forward. I pulled my head back in response, going cold on him.

“Brennan has already agreed to take us,” I lied. “He’ll ensure Durian doesn’t find out. He’s necessary, but you’re who I truly desire.”

Desperate for my warmth, jealous of the prospect of me being alone with Brennan out in the city, yearning to taste my promise of naughty pleasure and dangerous games—Kole was quick to fall.

28

RUNE

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