Page 73 of Warlord's Plaything

I drag my gaze over her, slow, taunting."You should be thanking me, little warrior."

"For what?"

I lean in, just enough for my breath to brush her ear."For making sure every man in this room knows exactly who you belong to."

Her fingers curl at her sides, tight enough to crack stone."I don’t belong to you, warlord."

"No?"I reach out, brushing my knuckles down the bare skin of her arm.

She shudders. Not in fear. Not even fucking close.

"Then tell me,"I murmur, lips just a breath away from hers."Why do you let me touch you?"

She doesn’t answer. She can’t. Because we both know the truth.

And it’s killing her.

I hear the movement before I see it. A noble. A fucking idiot. He steps too close to her, too bold, reaching out as if she’s something to be touched. And before I even fucking think, I’m moving.

The next second, his wrist is in my grip. The next, it’s snapping. He screams, dropping to his knees, clutching the ruined limb. The room goes silent.

All eyes on me.

On us.

I barely look at him. I just stare at Hira.

"Touch what’s mine again, and I will carve the skin from your bones."

She doesn’t speak. Doesn’t move. But I watch the way her pulse flutters against her throat. She hates how much she likes this. Hates how much I fucking know it.

"You’re a bastard."Her voice is breathless, edged with something dangerous.

I grin."Thank you, sweetheart."

She steps back.

Before I can pull her in.

Before she lets herself break.

And I let her go.

This war between us?

It’s only just begun.

25

XYRON

The message arrives before the blood on my hands has even dried.

A folded piece of black parchment, placed neatly on my war table like an invitation. Sealed with dark wax, stamped with the insignia of the Council.

I don’t open it immediately.

I already fucking know.

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