Page 53 of The Sorrow of Shadows

I smirk because he obviously thinks he’ll get me to pass on this question. I turn to whisper in his ear. “Right now? I can’t stop thinking about having you lay me out across this table and bury yourself deep, deep inside me while everyone in this tavern watches.”

His nostrils flare, and he shifts in his seat to alleviate some ofthe discomfort from his hardening length. Under the table I run my hand up his thigh, copying the path his hand had just taken on my own.

“What is your favorite color?” I ask, moving back away from him.

It’s not the question he expects.“Red, but not the shade you’re in now. Red like the wine you favor, deep with purple hues. What’s your favorite place?”

“The castle library probably. I love the smell of old parchment and how stories can make you forget your troubles. Is Charlie a regular of yours?”

“Not anymore. You’re really hung up on Charlie, why? I have in fact slept with other females, so why this obsession over her?”

I sigh, not wanting to answer this, but also not wanting to lose our little game. I reach for my drink for a shot of liquid courage. I down the spiced rum and turn to him. “You’re engaged to my mother, and I can’t help but notice that they bear a certain resemblance. They have all the same features that are so...different from mine. I just wonder why you’ve been openly involved with a certain type of female, but you pursue me in the dark. Hell, I don’t even understand why you’re pursuing me at all, but I can’t seem to stay away from you. I just don’t seem to fit your type.”

“Is my little demon jealous?” He grins devilishly at me.

“Not jealous...” I mumble. “Just confused.”

He grabs my chin between his thumb and index finger, tilting me to look directly into his eyes. “I’ve tried to tell you before, Princess, that there is nothing between your mother and me. Our relationship is more like your relationship with Elijah than anything remotely romantic. I have my reasons for agreeing to her proposal, but if you would talk to her, you would find that we are on the same page. Her resemblance to Charlie is coincidental. I don’t even really care for blondes much, to be honest.Your crimson locks look so much better wrapped around my fist.”

My eyes widen at his confession, my heart beating faster.

“Breyla, you are like fire and sunlight, and I would gladly burn in your heat. Your shadows mirror the darkest parts of me, and I want to bathe in them. You are fierce and brilliant, and I would happily kneel at your feet and worship every part of you.”

I had never had any male speak to me like this before, and it makes the breath catch in my throat. His words both frighten and thrill me.

“I can sense the erratic beats of your heart, Princess. You may not be able to understand me now, but you will someday. You are mine, little demon.”

I nod—because that’s all I can do—and continue our game.

The questions continue until we come to the end, and I have answered ten to his eight.

“What will it be, Princess?” Aurelius sighs.

“You know, I think I need retribution. Take your pants off.”

“Princess, as much as I’d love to bury myself in you right now, I will not fuck you in front of all the males in this tavern.”

“It’s cute that you think that I want you to fulfill my fantasy right now, but that’s not what I mean.”

“Then why exactly am I taking my pants off?”

“You’re going to give them to me and I’m going to return to the castle. You’re going to walk back without them.”

Realization dawns on him and he groans, throwing his head back.

“Fair is fair, Lord Aurelius. Hand them over,” I order, cackling and thoroughly enjoying my sweet retribution.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

OPHELIA

The humid, late-summer heat beats down on my back as the clanging of clashing swords fills the air around me. I stand outside the sparring ring watching Elijah and Zion dance around each other. In the next ring, Breyla is engaged in hand-to-hand with Ryder while Jade watches from the side with several other guards in training.

Most of the trained soldiers are still stationed along the border, so the ones in attendance are primarily new recruits and castle guards. They watch intently as we move with practiced deadly precision.

As far as I knew, Elijah had never spent time on the front line, but the way he moved and sparred with Zion made it obvious he had spent just as much time training as any soldier present. I knew he was skilled in politics, but he appeared to be equally skilled with a sword. He moves with a smooth grace, dodging and weaving to avoid Zion's attacks. Zion lunges for him and he parries, narrowly missing his attempt. He spins in a half circle, raising his sword at the backof Zion's head.

“Nice try, Zion. Do better next time.”

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