Page 65 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

A black throne-like chair with deep red cushions sat near an obsidian fireplace jutting from the wall in front of …

Garrik’s heart quickened.

A blackwood and steel four-post bed with draped inked curtains.Under an onyx blanket, the plushness sewn with sparkling diamond buttons was drawn as if prepared for sleep, revealing pure white sheets.

Only they would not be sleeping …

Robed in black silk,herlong black hair flowed loosely around plump breasts when she sauntered in from the balcony doors. With each step of her favorite silver-snaked heels, Garrik’s heart jerked.

He did not dare lift his eyes. Giving her the satisfaction would be painful enough. Besides, he would be staring into them soon anyway.

Why rush?

Ombré dagger-like black nails dug into Garrik’s cheeks, lifting his slumped head before it dropped to his chest. “I wanted him more conscious than this,” she hissed.“He could die at any moment, you fool. How am I to enjoy myself when he can’t even open his eyes?”

“Not. My. Problem,” Malik seethed. “Surely one of your poisons can remedy that.”He crossed his wrists behind him, pacing the dark floor in a measured stride. The night-blue of Malik’s eyes scanned shelves littered with jars, face twisting as the tip of his finger scratched a long line through dust.

Malik never cared for messes. Even his clothing was immaculately kempt, flawlessly preserved in perfection. This made the appointments with Garrik painfully drawn out. Taking great care to prevent Garrik’s blood from ruining his clothing, of course.

The serpent released another hiss. “Put him on my bed andget out.” Full obsidian eyes that appeared almost crimson glared at the guards and Malik before dragging a razor-tipped finger across Garrik’s hollowed cheek. Scratching against the bones jutting from his taut skin. The touch was … almost sensual.

“Going soft …”Malik asked, lifting an amused eyebrow as he trailed the serpent’s name off his tongue.

She sliced Garrik’s chin with a nail, withdrawing to examine the blood smeared across it. Like a predator, she sucked it into her mouth, clearly savoring the iron taste.“You’d be wise to not insult me,Malik.” She pierced him with alethalexpression. “I am never soft,”she said and grabbed Garrik’s chin, examining his sunken face.“He’s going to bleed. Care to watch?” A Bloodlusted grin crossed her face as the guards threw Garrik on the white sheets.

“Not particularly,” Malik said flatly, face twisted in disgust. Unamused. “Though I’m certain you will wish otherwise.”

Their voices drifted away. Garrik focused on his few remaining breaths, hardly recognizing the clanging of chains threatening to split his head as cold iron clasped around his raw wrists.

Where was the voice?Please … I need you.

“Restraints won’t be necessary,” the female crooned.

Garrik knew what was coming as he heard glass sliding across wood.

She rolled the poison bottle between her fingertips on one of the blackwood shelves. Amused. Aroused. Sadistic inked eyes followed the dark emerald swirl in one of the bottles, its sickly shimmer glistened in the light.

Her neck twisted. The endless abyss in her eyes pierced Garrik with ravenous desire. “This will do tonight, pet.”

No. Please. Not that one.

“Do try not to have too much fun, my lady,” Malik grit out between his teeth.“Brennus returns come dawn. You know how he expects a visit with your whore at first light.”Wrists still held behind him, he sauntered around the bed, almost stopping when his eyes scanned Garrik, and a flicker of a candle exposed a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

But Garrik knew what that meant—or at least thought so.

Malik meant she could not kill him. Not tonight.

Black silk fell to the floor. Disrobing in front of them with pleasing satisfaction, she traced her nails down her breast, stopping against her navel. Those ravenous eyes never once moved from Garrik on the bed.

“Out!”Speaking to no one in particular, she waved through Snakemares forming in the air.

At the sound of the door latching, a fingernail traced up Garrik’s abdomen, not stopping until it reached his pale lips.

Stop touching me.

“This won’t do.”Perching on the bed beside his motionless body, she toyed with a lock of his dirty matted hair and twisted it taut to the point he believed it likely to rip from his scalp. “Look how worthless you are.”

His breaths were turning shallow—too shallow.Breathe. You need to stay awake.

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