Page 72 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

Coward.

Bellamy stared at me for another moment, looking me up and down with that fire in his eyes I had come to know. I blushed, much to my annoyance and his smirk-filled amusement. Before I could brush off my reaction, he spoke.

“Cyprus seems to like you a little too much.”

I had learned from Cyprus that Bellamy’s Trusted were like a family. They did not act as if they had any particular power imbalance, nor did Bellamy demand their compliance. In fact, he had apparently urged them to speak their minds, to fight against his poor decisions.

That was, until I came. Now there was a tension in the air, one that seemed to follow me everywhere I went. I was the outsider. Either the problem to be fixed or the shiny new toy, and I hated that.

“What ever happened to beginning a conversation with ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ or even ‘thank you for not murdering us all in our sleep’? At least something more interesting than petty jealousy. It is truly beneath you, Your Highness,” I said with a smirk of my own, hoping to antagonize him.

“Hello, Princess,” he offered with a smile, bringing back that softness to his otherwise hard features. Bellamy took the handful of steps needed to close the distance between us, leaning down until we were breathing the same air.

With a raised hand, the demon pinched the lace of my top, toying with it. I swatted his hand away, coaxing a laugh from him. Those fingers came back up, lightly tracing my collar bone. I gasped despite myself when he leaned down to my ear and whispered, “You look positively ravishing today, Asher.”

My eyebrows shot up, face feigning bewilderment. I did my best to seem offended as I brought my hand to my chest, mouth popping open. Anything to hide the heat that was trickling down my body to my core.

“Here I thought that I always looked stunning,” I said.

He laughed, a short and crisp chuckle that I felt in my bones. It was a lovely sound, one that made someone want to laugh along, to enjoy themselves. I tried my best to fight his charm, which seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

His dimples made an appearance on his cheeks, signaling a full and true smile. Despite myself, I did enjoy the sight of them paired with the crinkle of his eyes.

He was dazzling, annoyingly so.

I wanted to hate him, but was unable to. Dislike, yes. Hate? I did not know if I ever could.

“Are you implying I do not suggest so daily?” he asked, his own mock hurt shifting his face. I nearly rolled my eyes, but knew better than to give him the satisfaction of winning our little play fight.

He smirked, as if he knew how hard it was for me not to show my irritation.

“Of course not, I am merely saying you are not nearly as appreciative of my gloriousness as you could be.” I made sure to lift my chin slightly, knowing it brought our lips closer. He took the opportunity to bring his chest to mine, our breaths matching pace.

With the movement of his body, our faces were now merely inches apart. If I wanted, I could lift onto my toes and taste him. Memories of his soft lips and wicked tongue fogged my brain. I knew I should protest the closeness, but I could not remember why.

“Let me make myself clear then. You, Asher, are the most gorgeous creation to grace our world. To see your face is to know true divine beauty,” he whispered. Then, with a sly smile that lifted only one side of his mouth, he added, “The only thing better would be seeing the rest of you.”

I reared back slightly, smacking his arm, laughing despite myself. He too joined in with a deep laugh, his arm looping around my back to pull me back into him.

Ever the obnoxious flirt.

Such a silly, pathetic being you are. So trusting. So naïve.

Ever the idiotic princess.

I placed a palm to his chest, pushing him back. He complied, stepping much farther than the strength of my shove had warranted. A kindness, but no more than I deserved. Because no matter what I thought or others attempted to make me believe, my body was mine and mine alone. A part of me knew that he agreed, but I could not shake the feeling of Sterling against me.

“You are lucky to have me, lucky to be mine when you are so unwanted by your own kind.”

With the mortal prince’s voice still ringing in my ears, I turned and walked to mine and Noe’s room, not allowing myself the chance to do something I would regret.

I was broken and tired and lost. No one needed to hold my hand and watch me sink. Bellamy, who was willing to kidnap me to save his realm, least of all.

Chapter Forty

It had been forty-two days since the afriktor attack.

I had never been more sore in my life. Even the three breaks we had taken, staying at inns for an extra night, could not alleviate the pain that radiated throughout my entire body. I had recently taken to walking when the pace allowed for it, though it rarely did.

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