Page 77 of A Debt of Darkness

Rowan seethes as his plan comes undone and we’re forced to endure an afternoon of veiled threats and forced pleasantries, pretending to negotiate an agreement we both know won’t hold. It’s a waste of time and there are better places to be, and every time Ivy moves, my cock wakes up.

The priest’s right.

I need to fuck Ivy and the pull of our bond is too strong. I can only hold back so long—but if today’s performance was any indication, I won’t have to.

22

OUT OF BALANCE

HENRY

Ivy’s screwing with me. I know it. She knows it. She knows I know it too. It’s grating and my patience is running out. Quickly. She doesn’t want to know what happens when it does.

We’re not in balance and we need to find our equilibrium.

Badly.

I thought she was over this. She was exceptional during Rowan’s visit and we’d talked about what happened. Ivy didn’t seem fazed and took it in her stride. I lavished praise on her. Worshipped her.

She always responds well to praise. Except this time. She moved away when it felt like we should get closer. She’s become wary. Nervous. That’s understandable. But what’s frankly unacceptable is the shitshow we’re becoming. She’s spent a week playing games and pushing her boundaries,testing how far she can go before I react.

I’ve held back for her sake.

But this is downright ridiculous.

We’ve been working through our issues. Like we’re some couple on a fucking reality show that passes for entertainment these days. I’d rather be in an arena, fighting lions or bears, than dealing with the shit she’s pulling. Admittedly, Ivy has a right to be upset. But she doesn’t have the right to use it as an excuse to get away with bullshit and this has got to end.

For her own good, as well as mine.

She kneels beneath me and she’s in the wrong position. Her eyes look up, questioning whether I’m going to respond. They’re fucking stunning and almost make me cave. Almost, but not quite. She’s weaponizing them against me and we’ve been waging this battle for too long.

“You’re misbehaving, pet.”

Her jaw ticks. “We agreed you wouldn’t use that.”

We fucking agreed she’d try and the backchat is the final straw. I need to enforce the boundaries without losing my shit or scaring her. It’s another test. She wants me to prove I’m in control. She needs me to assert my dominance without destroying her.

She’s in for a fucking shock if she doubts my abilities.

“We agreed you’d try, pet. We agreed you’d behave. You’ve done neither.”

Ivy pouts. I’d usually soften but not today.

“I’m trying.”

Very.

I frown. My foot edges forward and nudges her knee into position. She sighs, like it’s too much goddamn effort.

“Thank me.”

She hesitates. She knows she’s pushed it and now she’s wondering what to do. Part of her wants to please me, and part of her wants to keep testing me. I understand. I really do. She needs to know she’s safe with me, no matter how far she goes, and the only thing holding her back is her fear.

“No.”

We’re dealing with this now.

I don’t like this but it’s for the best. Punishment doesn’t have to be brutal and it’s an effective training tool. I’ve held off for too long and now she’s leaving me no choice.

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