Page 39 of Death and Desire

She heard the dismissal in his tone and embraced it. “That sounds wonderful.”

Pushing away from the table, she stood. Khalid mimicked her movement.

“Keep a close eye on her, Khalid.”

It took all her effort not to snap at her father. She was tired of being followed everywhere. And yet, she vaguely remembered darkness swallowing her before going overboard. A chill wracked her with the hazy memory. Who would dare do such a thing...and why?Better yet, would they attack again?

Ignoring the burning heat of Khalid’s presence and the frustration boiling in the pit of her stomach, she wove through the restaurant until she found an entrance to the small garden tucked inside the hotel.

Violet nodded politely to a couple passing her on the pathway. She found a quiet alcove with shade and dappled sunlight, then stepped aside and rounded on Khalid.

“Howdareyou?” She jabbed him square in the chest with a fingertip. “Was this your plan all along? Get close to me, then steal the gift my mother gave me.”

“It was not her gift to give.” Khalid’s dark eyes absorbed sunlight.

The memory of hisotherform took root in the back of her mind, making her breath hitch.

This was no man of flesh and blood. This wasAnubis, god of the dead. She challenged him at every turn, and even after he revealed his true form, she didn’t believe him. Her head ached. Pressing a hand to her temple, she groaned.

“Why must you torment me?” Violet collapsed onto a bench beneath a tree.

Khalid sat beside her, taking up nearly all the space. He consumed the air around her and filled it with heat and tension. Whatever this was between them, it was beyond sexual.

“This is not torment, little one.” His deep voice remained low, wrapping around her like a warm blanket and drawing her close.

“If you want this so desperately, why didn’t you take it when you saved me?” She held his fathomless gaze in her own.

“One cannot take that which is not freely given.”

“More riddles.” Violet frowned. “Why do you not speak plainly?”

“My meaning is clear.”

Violet pinched the bridge of her nose to stave off a headache.Nothing is clear.

“Would you prefer I leave you alone?”

“Yes,” Violet ground out, even though her mind screamedno.

“It seems you are conflicted.”

She glared at him. “Wouldn’t you be conflicted if the man charged to protect you revealed himself to be an immortal being who only cares about a jewel?”

“That is only part of the conflict warring inside you.”

“Only part?” Violet blinked at him, her breath catching in her throat.

“Yes.”

She straightened, steeling herself to block him from her mind. From reading her most intimate thoughts. Thoughts she should not be having abouthim.

“Your father. Your brother. They treat you like a delicate creature who will break at the slightest challenge.”

He reached out and brushed an errant curl from her cheek. The heat of his fingers grazed her skin, igniting fireworks of need deep in her chest.

“You long to be free from their overbearing concern.”

“I know my own mind.” Violet’s voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “Perhaps you would be wise to remainoutof it, since you cannot possibly understand.”

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