Page 28 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

I smiled to myself as I folded the paper into an envelope and scribbled ‘smug prick’ onto the front of it. When darkness fell, I slipped my green cloak on and trekked through the woods in the direction of Crimson. My darkness had crept from me for the first time since the cave. It did so without permission, and I was dazed by it looking for something. Suddenly it exploded and expanded through the forest as it became frantic.

Then I realized it was searching for Cassius. I could tell the moment my darkness detected his magic because it practically dragged me along with it. It was excited to see him, maybe more than I was.

The only signs of the Crimson armies were smoke from fires. Once I saw the camp, I bided my time. A large black tent stood at the center of camp, and I knew that was where Cassius was. So, when his men switched guard detail, I hurried to the camp, undetected by anyone, and slipped inside.

I paused when I saw him sleeping in his big bed. His space smelled like rain and forest, like him. His smooth, tanned skin lifted slowly with each breath he took. My eyes cascaded over all the black tattoos covering his chest. His face was hidden by his arm draped over it. My body hummed at the sight of him. An overwhelming sense of need pulsed from me. It felt like torture to see him and not touch him.

I pulled the envelope from my pocket and set it on his black uniform, which he tossed onto the chair. I wanted to see his reaction so badly. My eyes scanned his body once more before turning to leave.

“Leaving so soon, Captain?”

His smooth voice stopped me. I smiled brightly as my back was turned. I lowered the green hood of my cloak as I turned to face him.

“Just dropping off a gift.” My voice faded as his handsome face came into view. His eyes were black as night, which seemed wrong. But gods above, his face was made to be admired. He gave me a small, lopsided smile when he saw the envelope on his uniform.

“You are quite impressive,” he said. “Did you come to catch a peek of me?” He moved the blanket off of him, showing off a body made of muscles and tattoos. Gods. My eyes drifted over all of him without giving a shit if hesaw. Even his legs had black tattoos covering them. After a moment, I collected myself.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

“You’re as smug as I imagined.”

“So, you’ve been thinking of me?” he smirked. I turned around to leave but paused for no reason in particular. When I turned back, his smugness was gone. His head tilted as he examined me slowly.

“You could have killed me on the battlefield; why didn’t you?”

“You didn’t kill me either, Thea.”

I nodded because he was right. My eyes traced over his face. Something ignited in me at the sight of him. Something primal and feral clawed at me when I saw the red crown tattooed on his arm. An urge to go to him overwhelmed me, but I didn’t move. He was my enemy. He was an obstacle that kept me from my task, killing the Crimson bloodline.

“Nice tattoo,” I muttered before I stopped myself. My words were breathless, and I knew he noticed it too.

A slow smile spread across his face as he lifted it up as if he were inspecting it. Something about it called to me. I took a step forward, then another, before stopping.

“It’s my favorite tattoo I have.” Tenderness crossed his face as he watched me. My heart was racing, and I didn’tunderstand why this man was making me feel crazy with lust.

“If you find yourself getting lonely, you can come back anytime you want.” He smiled brightly.

“Don’t mistake this for anything but psychological warfare.” I lied. Cassius stood up so quickly, but I didn’t move. I stood my ground as he stood close enough that his chest pressed into mine. Then he grabbed me and tossed me onto the bed. My heart pounded as he stalked at me.

“You have never been a good liar,” he breathed. “Tell me how much you’ve thought about me these past few days.”

I rested on my elbows as he stepped between my legs.

“Every day,” I confessed on accident. His eyes seemed to become more black. “I thought of all the ways I would kill you.” I tried to backtrack.

Cassius laughed softly as he leaned down to crawl over me.

“Oh, my little liar, you don’t have to hide from me. I can see how much you want me in those pretty green eyes of yours. All you have to do is ask, and I will gladly give you anything you demand of me.”

Gods, this felt too intimate for this to be the first time being close to him. I didn’t stop him as he pinned me to the bed. I swallowed hard as my eyes bounced back and forth between his.

“Lust is hardly a feeling.” I tried to sound bitter, but I failed miserably.

Cassius’ eyes darkened. Gods, he was impossible. I could call him the worst thing I could think of, and he would probably still look at me like I hung the moon.

“Lust is better than indifference.” He smiled. “I’d say we're making progress, little viper.”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

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