Page 37 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

Tamir’s jaw tightened. “The Hunters and the Soldens go back generations. The elite have an understanding with them. They won’t speak of what they do—what they hunt—if they do a few things in return.”

Emara winced at the thought of what “service” the Hunters would provide for the Soldens. Or any other elite family. Surely it wasn’t polishing their silver.

“Listen,” he tried reasoning with her. He reached out to run a hand through her hair again, but she pulled back. A flash of frustration lingered on his face. “I am not entirely sure about the boring details and you shouldn’t be either. Don’t worry about them.” He paused. “I know we’ve already had this discussion and you weren’t sure then, but things have changed. Your circumstances are a little different since I last saw you.” His tone turned even more contemptuous. “I can guarantee your security now; finances and stability.”

Rage boiled in her blood, turning it to molten lava. He wasn’t here to make sure she was alive and well, but to see if his arrangements were still in place. He was here for him. The last time she’d seen him she couldn’t have made it any clearer on the status of their relationship.

“Coin? Is that what you think I want?” Emara ground her teeth together.

“Isn’t that what is attractive to a woman? A secure life, with things provided for them—”

“I think you have a very cavalier view of what a woman wants.” Emara’s voice almost fractured with frustration. “I don’t want your money; I don’t want your houses—I can’t be bought! If you took the time to get to know me instead of thinking about yourself, you would know that.” Her breathing came out short and taut.

Taymir was of the age that to secure social acceptability and status, he needed a wife. And an heir to his fortune. However, Emara was not going to provide either one.

“I can give you what you want, Emara—what every woman needs. I don’t understand what you don’t find appealing.” His features screwed up, causing all the tension in his bone structure to cast dark shadows on his face.

“Your wealth does not seduce me, Taymir, nor will it ever be something that impresses me.”

He dusted the cuff of his sleeve. “Every young woman needs a husband. I could at least give you a better lifestyle than this.” He gestured to her room. Her room. The only room she could remember having.

Her voice broke through the room, sharp and dominant, “You think that’s what every woman wants?” She scoffed. “How dare your pretentiousness assume that because I have just lost my grandmother that you can take advantage of that. My grief doesn’t need a knight in an expensive tunic to rescue me. It needs time! Not money or lavish dinners or evening balls where my gown would cut off my air supply.” She took a needed breath. “I need time to deal with what I have just gone through.” She exhaled and didn’t stop. “Just because you are of an elite bloodline doesn’t mean I am going to run into your arms.”

I’d rather train with swords and spears every day for the rest of my life than have a button for a mouth and a pretty dress, she thought. The tower was starting to look like the best deal in the kingdom compared to Taymir. She would take a million blistered hands over an engagement to an elite family.

His face changed, his mouth pinched into a tight pout. “What is wrong with you?” His tone exposed his disbelief. “Most girls would jump at what I can offer them. They would jump at the chance of being with me!” His temper started to boil from the rejection.

“If you could be with anyone, then why are you here? Be with someone else. Anyone else.”

“I can’t…” He paused, contemplating his approach. “I don’t want anyone else, Emara.” His voice was filled with refusal and desperation.

His blatant lack of respect for her almost had steam blowing from her ears.

“Listen to what I am saying, and I will try and make this as clear as possible. I can’t be who you want me to be. No, wait. Let me rephrase that—I won’t be who you want me to be.” She closed the gap between them, desperate for him to see the sincerity in her eyes. She softened her tone. “The answer is no, Taymir. As it always has been. Nothing has changed.”

A darkened rage flashed across Taymir’s face. His full body started to shake.

Emara backed up a few steps. “I tried; I did. It is my choice, Taymir, you can’t take that away from me,” she challenged softly.

Almost begging him not to.

“I can take what I want, Emara.” His voice changed to something more menacing. “Soldens always do.” His eyes darkened. “Do you know what I think’s amusing? How you think you are in control of what your future holds.” He rolled his tongue over his teeth, his chest heaving in fury. “I could take everything that means something to you and ruin every part of it.” His eyes mad, he took a step towards her.

Emara’s heart was beating so fast, her eardrums were ringing. She pushed down the thoughts that were crossing her mind.

“You need to leave. Get out of my house. Now!” Emara yelled, but Taymir’s body only moved towards her. He was going nowhere.

“There’s always one thing in particular that I was very patient with you about.” His eyes lowered to her curves and he traced them all over. “I told myself, ‘Be patient, Taymir. You will get her underneath you someday…’” A crazed laugh burst from his mouth in mimic of himself. Emara’s skin wanted to turn inside out at the sound of it. “You always liked to play hard to get; teasing me, but never giving me it all. Or any of it, as a matter-of-fact.” He tilted his head to the side to survey her body underneath the cloak.

Emara stilled with fear.

Coming closer, he slowly weaved a hand around her neck. She batted it away, but he held her still. “I’m done waiting for you to realise what I am, who I will be, and how grateful you should be to have me between your legs.” He grabbed her wrist and dragged her into him, his face so close it was almost touching hers as he strengthened the grip on her neck.

Furious, she hurled spit right into his face. “I don’t care what blood runs through your veins, you were never good enough to get any part of me.” She pulled back and he released her in shock. Not taking her eyes off him, her steps fumbled back, her stomach convulsing.

He laughed callously as he wiped his face and his eyes changed forever. “Let’s play more games, shall we? Since you like to play games…” His tone was intimidatingly low as he tilted his head to the side, taking a step towards her. “Let’s play the game where you see what it’s like to become a Solden whore! I can take that from you and ruin your name in this village.”

“Fuck you!” she roared, trying to create more distance between them, her heart wedged in her throat.

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