Page 68 of A Dagger in the Ivy

My mouth falls open. “How dare you insinuate—”

He lets out a small breath, his gaze floating to my lips. “Let me show you, and then you can say if you are able to tell the difference between the sensations.”

“Wh-What do you mean?”

He steps even closer, his hands moving to my lower back. His features relax, and a low, sultry hum emits from his throat.

I steel myself, wanting to keep in control.

The humming changes into a slow melody, and it’s like the vibrations of Dante’s voice are moving within my blood, caressing my veins and warming my skin. The heat spreads, and a fire comes to life in my core, the flames beginning to consume me. He runs his hands up my sides, and I feel my nipples harden. His fingers travel to my neck, and he gently tilts my chin up so that our lips are only inches apart.

Every inch of me wants to melt into him, to let him devour me with his lips.

He leans closer but goes past my cheek, breathing on my neck. “Can you feel it now?” His voice vibrates behind my ear. “Or is your body responding the same way it does without my magic?”

I bite my lip to keep from releasing a moan.

He chuckles and takes a step back.

The vibration dissipates, and it takes a second before I can registerthe smug look on Dante’s face.

“Now tell me, Highness. Was I using my powers on you before? Or was it simply the thought of me touching you that got you soaked?”

The flames inside me change to a searing fury. “You ass. You infuriating, arrogant, self-righteous brute.”

He smirks and lifts a brow. “That mouth.”

I grunt and turn away from him, storming back toward my room.

“Should I escort you, Princess?” he calls after me, humor laced in his tone.

“No. I’m perfectly capable.” My footsteps are heavy, frustration and embarrassment battling within me. I can’t look at Dante. Not only because of the stunt he just pulled, but because I can’t explain the feelings he stirred inside me.

CHapter

Twenty-Five

“Are you all right?” Nadya asks as I brush my hair for the third time since Indira left the room.

I was a bit blunt with Indira when I insisted I could fix my hair on my own, and she didn’t seem to approve of me wearing my trousers and billowy blouse instead of the dress she’d picked out. But I’ve been too upset to pay her much mind.

Upset at Dante for taunting me last night.

Upset at myself for falling for his tricks.

Upset at my body for reacting to him.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I set down the brush and look at her reflection in the mirror.

“It’s just that you’ve been moping. And we’re not usually this late to breakfast.” Nadya steps closer. “I think I know what’s bothering you.”

My breath hitches, and my mind replays every interaction Dante and I might have had in front of her. Nadya can be rather perceptive, and my fear is that she’s seen something between me and Dante that I may not have even noticed myself.

Something Aila said intrudes into my thoughts.“I saw the look inhis eyes.”

Am I the only one who didn’t see it? Or have they all been manipulated by his powers?

I turn and face Nadya, bracing myself for what she’s about to say.

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