Page 65 of Dark Captivation

I blinked and the Angel of Death disappeared. Now all that remained was the same grinning, happy Malek who’d been there before.

He said something to me I couldn’t hear, pointing to the tree we passed. In my distraction I’d lost the race and didn’t even know it.

Together Malek and I explored another two worlds. One where we ran with bubble breathing dragons and another where gourmet desserts grew on vines and we walked through fields, sampling several of them.

Now, thoroughly exhausted, we entered our sixth and final dimension for the day.

We sat at a table on the edge of a lake. The rumble of other guests eating and drinking at adjacent tables created a thin background sound.

Fried fish with onion, pickle, coconut curries and other tropical dishes were spread out in front of us.

“Penny for your thoughts, Sunny? You haven’t said much since the flying adventure.” His gaze burned over my skin, commanding my attention.

“I’ve been having the best time of my life. None of this feels real. It’s like something out of a dream.” I answered honestly but the image of the Angel of Death still haunted me.

“Good. It’s important to me that you’re enjoying yourself.” He drew his chair closer, smoothing his hand over my arms.

His smoldering eyes poked through me, prompting my nipples to harden. His deliciously earthy cologne made my head swim.

My core tightened as his soft fingers tangled their way up my arm. His sweet touch forced my body’s surrender. His deep and commanding gaze fevered my flesh and peeled away layers like an onion.

He leaned in, scrawling his nose along the curl of my neck. “Ahh,” he breathed. “You smell just like you did in the cave that night. I’ve been dreaming of recreating that night ever since it was over.”

“You know I was a virgin when we had sex in the cave?” I said half drunk on my own building needs.

Surprised by the randomness of the admission, his head drew back.

“It does surprise me how a woman of your beauty has been able to keep the wolves at bay for so long.” He said with a surety that was both flattering and alarming. “Regardless, I’m honored to be your first, your last and everything in between.”

“We’ll see about that.” I drew my arm from his, eyeing him flirtatiously.

His brows popped with intrigue. He rested his elbow on the table and palmed his chin. “Feisty little wolf. Be careful, tease me much more and I’ll be eating you for dinner.” His voice was deep and smooth as silk, shaking me to my core.

“Have you been checking your tattoo?” His thumb pressed into the black heart on my chest and my nipples went painfully hard.

“Yes, what about it?” I said trying to mask the need in my voice.

“It’s already half full and we are only a month into our agreement. It won’t take another month to fill it completely and then I would have won our wager, and you’ll stay here with me.”

“Hah, as if you ever had any intention of honoring that silly little wager.” I laughed humorlessly.

“I would never lie to you.” His tone changed as if mildly offended. “Should that heart be unfilled by the 16th of October, I will cancel my war plans and let you leave. But…”

He drew himself back, straightening his spine so that he towered over me.

“But?” I pressed.

“But you won’t win. I won’t allow it. I will do anything it takes to claim you. I live for nothing else. This war must happen because I cannot protect the ones I love in a world filled with so much random chaos and dangers lurking around every corner. Terrorists like Varcus will be brought to heal as will all the rest of my enemies. Anyone who dares threaten those I love does not deserve sympathy or life.” His eyes narrowed in pure spite, and I barely recognized this sweet man that I’d been spending all this time with.

Right now, all I saw was a ruthless king who would burn the world to ashes just so he could rebuild a utopia in its place.

“No man is meant to rule the entire world. No matter what we do there will always be chaos. Shit happens. There will always be rogue elements that are outside our control. You just have to learn to live with it. Nothing will ever be perfect. Perfection isn’t real.”

“If perfection isn’t real, then how am I looking at it right now?” he chuckled as if I was being silly.

“I’m being serious.” I lightly hit his arm.

“Don’t worry about it. Let me bear the burden of what I have to do. I only want you to focus on happy things. Just let me protect you.” His eyes shone as the kind glow returned to his cheeks.

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