Page 77 of Dark Captivation

Malek drew his shirt off, dropping it to the floor. His mountains of muscles sprawled out before me and my cheeks warmed just from looking at how wide his shoulders were. I’d never seen a man with such bulk or tantalizing power.

I ogled him like a horny schoolgirl, only looking away as I noticed him watching me.

“Wait right there.” He dipped into an alcove at the far end of the room and away as knocking noises sounded.

He reappeared and plopped himself down beside me on the bed. He hovered over me like a lion considering when to attack, his gaze so hot on me my flesh warmed.

His lips parted and my neck tilted as if my body instinctively knew what was coming next, his rapturous kiss. I could almost taste the sweetness of his lips. My nostrils sucked in a greedy breath, desperate for the scent of musk and powerful man.

My lids had already begun drifting closed when he plucked a big red book from behind his back and held it up to my face like a picket sign.

“I love books as much as the next wolf, but am I missing something here?” I scratched my temple.

“It was your favorite.” He declared excitedly, slipping the book open and flipping through the pages.

I leaned closer, scanning the pages and reading a few random sentences. “I think I remember this. It was something about a crazy queen, right?”

“She was a little crazy but she was so much more than that.” Malek continued flipping pages as nostalgia brightened his smile. “Do you remember it? This is the story of a legendary fae. You loved her story. She goes from being an outlaw and criminal to queen of her entire country.”

“That’s right, she was abused and despised as a child by her parents. They saw her as a mere spare and only cared for her twin brother.” I continued, as the memories slowly returned. “Her brother was the only one to ever show her love. He was her everything and she risked everything to save his life when he was captured. Avoiding almost certain death she conquers her enemies, saves her brother and rises to become a warrior queen.”

“That’s right and the day we met, you had this book with you. I saw you reading it in the forest.” He spoke. “I walked up to you and you noticed that I was crying.”

“That's right. You were the cutest little crybaby I’d ever seen,” I teased and he laughed.

“And then…” he continued. “You took my hand, invited me to sit with you and read this book to me, starting at chapter nine.”

“The funniest chapter,” I said and he slowly nodded, seeming pleased that it was coming back to me.

I’d never heard his tone so warm and jovial than it was now. Even his eyes that always maintained just a little bit of coldness, warmed like hot chocolate.

“I remember that day, I didn’t even realize you were a demon. I thought you were some type of ‘goat boy’ because of your tiny horns.”

He glanced around not seeing anything, in an exaggerated show of surprise.

“And here I thought you were taken by my natural good looks.” He swept his hair back dramatically. “Well, goat boy or not, you brought light to my life that day. And now I’m going to do the same by making you laugh your cheeks red with chapter nine.”

He read the chapter aloud, taking numerous breaks for us to laugh. I couldn’t believe my parents let a twelve year old read this. Almost all the Fae Queen’s antics had sexual undertones.

By the end of the chapter, things soured for Queen Jessica. A man she’d been falling in love with betrayed her, getting her locked away in a dark tower. We both stopped laughing then.

“You know, Sunny. There is no betrayal so heinous that could ever make me turn my back on you.” He slowly closed the book, going silent as if waiting for me to say something.

“Um, thank you?” I mouthed uncomfortably. I wasn’t sure what he meant but the silence dragged on so long he must have been waiting for me to say something.

“That includes cavorting with the resistance,” he said calmly.

My blood ran as cold as winter rain. Did Malek know that I’d met Varcus before and that he tried to recruit me?

“I know you met Varcus and his men in a chapel and didn’t tell me.” he said, confirming my suspicions.

I replied with silence, waiting for him to yell, scream or attack. Nothing happened. He just sat there placid and serene, with the same warmth emitting from his eyes that was there when he first opened the book.

“I just sat there and listened. I didn’t join or take part in any way. Nor did I agree with everything he was saying.” I said defensively, and he raised a calming hand.

Malek really did have eyes everywhere. How in the world did he know that I’d met Varcus in the chapel? Friendly as he was, Malek was formidable and impossible to keep secrets from. I’d better not forget that.

“I haven’t made this easy for you, Sunny. I know that.” His fingers feathered across my face and he followed the motion with his eyes. “I know you don’t agree with all of my decisions. And you’ve been a wildfire since the day we met. I’m delighted to see that hasn’t changed.”

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