Page 43 of Masked Fate

“I’m going to make her fall in love with me,” I declare, smirking to myself.

Ready or not, little witch.

I’m coming for what’smine.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Pandora

Before he even knocks on the door, I feel him.

I don’t know how he got into my castle, but I’m guessing Kainan must have let him in. Lucky for me, Ebony has gone out for the evening with some of her friends.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I open the door. He steps into my room, his cinnamon scent surrounding him, looking around. It’s weird having him in my space. No one really comes here—it’s usually me in other kingdoms. He’s dressed from head to toe in black leather pants and a linen tunic, his swords across his back.

Finally, his gray eyes come to me, giving me a slow once-over from head to toe. He licks his lips but then tilts his head to the side, frowning. “Whose shirt is that?”

“What?” I ask, my brows furrowing. I glance down and touch the worn brown material of August’s shirt he left here when he stayed over that one night.

Shit.

“Soren—”

He slowly circles me. “Whose is it, little witch?”

Swallowing, I admit the truth. “It’s August’s. It’s just something I wear to bed sometimes—”

“Take it off.Now,” he grumbles, and although his tone is commanding, he’s not using his persuasion.

Still, who does he think he is?

“You can’t come into my kingdom and tell me what to do,” I say, crossing my arm over my chest, which only draws his attention to my breasts.

“I’m your mate,” he states, his eyes flickering with angerand… jealousy? “You will wear no other male’s clothes aside from mine. Now, take it off. Don’t make me tell you again. It’s bad enough to know that August got to… touch you.”

It’s the quick look of vulnerability in his eyes that has me pulling the shirt from my body, leaving me standing in nothing but some black panties.

“You are fucking perfect,” he says in a husky tone, running his tongue over his full upper lip. I can’t help but look down at his cock straining against his pants. “Fuck, little witch… the things I want to do to you...”

Clearing my throat, I open my armoire and pull out a long, black cotton dress, sliding it over my bare skin. “You happy now?”

He picks up August’s shirt and rips it in two, throwing it into my wastebasket. “I’ll be happy when you realize that you aremine.” He tilts his head to the side. “But for now, I’ll take you being safe. Rave said to come back to Aravelle tonight.”

Which means they have a plan to take care of Ebony.

I know I have no business feeling guilty after everything she’s done to me, but at the end of the day, she is my sister.

“She tried to burn you alive,” he reminds me. “And it’s not you doing it. I will handle it.”

“I’m not the type to sit around and let othershandlemy problems,” I reply, sitting on my bed and gesturing for him to do the same. His eyes darken as he takes in my velvet bedding before he does so. “I would kill her if I could, but my mother put a spell on me to make sure I can never harm her.”

His jaw tenses. “But she can hurt you?”

I nod slowly.

He makes a low, growling sound, then leans forward to gently touch my face, his finger and thumb gripping my chin. “I know I’ve fucked up when it comes to you, but I’m here now. And no one is ever going to hurt you again, Pandora. I will spend the restof my life protecting you, worshiping you, and making up for all the wrong I’ve done.” He then lowers his face to kiss me sweetly, barely touching my lips with his. He then backs away, closely watching my reaction. His fingers are still on my chin, holding me in place, his eyes scanning mine.

Yes, I’m a queen.

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