Page 23 of Caged By the Lich

"Of course you did," I snap, irritation flaring. "Next time I'll let him maul you, then."

But there will be no next time. I think I just made my point, and we both know it.

The whispers start immediately. I can practically see the rumors taking shape. The great and terrible V, defender of human maidens. Pathetic.

I stalk away, snatching a goblet of wine from a passing servant. As I down it in one gulp, I catch sight of my reflection in a gilded mirror. For a moment, I barely recognize myself.

What is this infuriating girl doing to me?

For the rest of the night, I stand by the wall, glaring at anyone who gets too close and letting my presence send lesser demons scurrying away. The ball drags on interminably, each moment a test of my rapidly fraying patience.

Astrid remains by my side, and I don't know what to make of it. For right now, I choose to ignore it.

When I've finally had enough, I escort Astrid out of the mansion and into a carriage. It is a quiet ride back, and I have to force my eyes to stay off of her, she looks that good. I won't be liable for my actions if I don't.

Still, I find myself walking her back to her chambers. The walk is silent, tension crackling between us like barely contained lightning. At her door, I pause, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.

"You looked... lovely tonight."

She freezes, clearly caught off guard by my unexpected words. I really want to say more, like how I'd love to see the dress on the floor and her splayed on my bed and my cock buried in her for days.

Those words at least stay in.

Astrid's eyes meet mine, a hint of vulnerability replacing her usual defiance. My breath catches as her gaze slowly travels down my body, appreciation clear in her expression. It is not helping my growing erection.

"You clean up pretty well yourself," she murmurs, her voice low and husky.

The air between us shifts, charged with an electric tension I can't explain. All night, we've been able to find an almostcompanionable silence, but I know I've been stealing glances of her, swallowing back my arousal because I couldn't break.

Has she been doing the same?

Astrid takes one step closer to me, her scent enveloping me, and I swear I lose all control. I find myself leaning in, drawn by some inexplicable force. Her lips part slightly, and I catch the faintest scent of wine on her breath. My heart pounds, a foreign sensation I barely recognize.

Our faces are inches apart now. I can see the flecks of gold in her green eyes, count each individual eyelash. My hand moves of its own accord, reaching to cup her cheek.

Suddenly, reality crashes back. What the fuck am I doing?

I jerk away as if burned, stumbling back a step. Confusion and something that looks dangerously like hurt flashes across Astrid's face before she schools her features into careful neutrality.

"I... This isn't..." I struggle to form words, furious at my own weakness. "Goodnight."

Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and stride away, my footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. My mind reels, trying to make sense of what just transpired.

I'm not some lovesick fool, toying with a pretty captive. I'm V, the demon lord who strikes terror into the hearts of my enemies.

So why does walking away from her feel like tearing out a piece of myself?

Once alone, I pace, running my hands through my hair in frustration. What the fuck is wrong with me? She's a human, for fuck's sake. A pawn. Nothing more.

I try to rationalize my actions. Protecting her was purely strategic. She's valuable leverage against Ilreth. That's all.

But the excuses ring hollow, even in my own mind. Especially when I have no explanation for the almost kiss that I never should have allowed.

The memory of my mouth on her neck comes back, though. The first night I had her alone. And fuck, I want to do that again, to do more. My restraint is thinning by the day, and I don't know how much longer I can hold out.

It's not even like I care about fucking. Not really if she wants it. She's a little brat, a rebel that needs to be taught to obey.

But I fear that once I get one taste of her, I'll never fucking stop.

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