Page 31 of Their Offering

I stood in the living room, confused as hell. Dinner? Here? Had we stopped at the store on the way here? How did I miss that? I was distracted, but notthatdistracted.

“Grocery delivery.” I looked at Keir, who was holding my bags as he headed up the stairs. Did he hear my thoughts again?

“How did you know what I was thinking?” I asked as I followed him into a large bedroom.

He sighed in obvious annoyance and placed my bags on the equally-humongous bed. “Because you thinkreallyloudly. It would be impossible not to hear your thoughts.” He began to fold and organize my clothes into a dresser near the bed.

How thoughtful.I thought as I rolled my eyes.

He sighed. “I heard that too.”

I was quiet for a moment, digesting the fact that the man in front of me confessed he could hear my thoughts. “The twins don’t seem to hear my thoughts. Why’s that?” Was that what they meant when they said I was something to Keir? Did we have some sort of connection? Was that why I felt so drawn to him? If there was a connection, it was one-sided for sure.

He turned back to me and opened his mouth as if to say something, but then he closed it. Another moment passed before he spoke. “I’m just special, I guess.” He rolled his eyes and gave me a sarcastic smile.

“You’re so fucking weird.” I put my hand on my hip, annoyed with his attitude. “Asshole.”

“Excuse me?” He cocked an eyebrow at me, and his jaw twitched. “You willnotspeak to me like that.”

I bit my lip in an attempt to hold in my laughter. He had to be joking. “Apologies, Your Majesty.”

“Don’tcall me that,” he snapped, ire flaring in his eyes now.

I nearly stepped back from the force of his voice. “Sorry.” I wasn’t even sure why I apologized. He was the one being ridiculous. “I was just messing with you.”

“Don’t take it personally. Keir’s always had a stick up his ass. Not to mention, he’s also got issues being the heir to Hell’s throne.” Aiden’s eyes blazed from his spot against the doorframe, and he smirked mischievously as he stared Keir down.

Keir was the heir to the throne? I felt stupid. They were princes. One of themhadto be the heir.

“Shut the fuck up, Aiden.” Keir stormed out of the room, shoulder-checking Aiden on his way out.

He chuckled and smiled at me. “Too easy.”

I put away the few remaining clothes Keir hadn’t gotten to, only to feel Aiden’s breath on my neck. He was so close, I felt goosebumps pop up across my skin.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” My question came out shaky and breathy, the effect he had on me too noticeable.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you laid out on that altar for me.” My tongue darted across my lips, and heat rushed between my legs as he placed a kiss just below my ear.

All at once, I got a flash of Austin’s face and was reminded of all the ways he marked my body, of what my mom said about my reputation. I stepped away from Aiden and turned to face him.

“What’s wrong?” He looked at me with so much concern, I almost melted.

Truthfully, I felt embarrassed but mostly ashamed. I shook my head softly and gestured at my body as I spoke. “My body is all fucked up. I’m used and broken. You don’t want this. You shouldn’t want this.”

He laughed softly, which made my stupid heart flutter as his eyes sparked. He crossed his arms over his chest like he was waiting for something.

“What?” I waited for him to tell me I was right, that he didn’t want used goods. Instead, he stared at me a moment more, then tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His soft touch took my breath away.

“Come with me.” He reached for my hand, and once I gave it to him, he led me into the connected bathroom and turned me to face the mirror.

I looked to the floor before I caught sight of my reflection. I didn’t want another reminder of what had happened to me. I felt a little disappointed in Aiden; why would he put me in front of a mirror in my condition?

“Look at me,” he commanded.

I slowly brought my eyes up until they met his in the mirror. I caught a glimpse of my face and gasped. “How––“ The swelling was gone, and the bruises on my face and neck barely there. I almost looked normal.

“We put a little something in your water this morning to help you heal. The bruises and scrapes will be completely gone by tomorrow. The deeper cuts will probably scar, but they won’t be noticeable. I’m sorry we couldn’t do more.” He grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. I hadn’t bothered to put a bra on before we left, so my nipples hardened as cool air hit them. I knew Aiden noticed, because his breathing quickened on my neck. “You belong to us now. We are the only ones who get to use this body. Understood?”

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