Page 52 of A Bond in Blood

“Was the public execution exhausting?” I asked.

The bed shook with his laugh. “My, someone has words tonight.”

“I’ve followed your rules for a month, your grace. Do not forget that. I only asked a question.”

The bed shifted again, and I shuffled to move away from him but his hand gripped my thigh.

My eyes widened and my head snapped in his direction, trying to make out his features in the dark.

“I am exhausted,” he said as his finger circled my skin. “But not enough to not enjoy myself.”

I jumped off the bed, gasping out my disapproval. “Thatwas not on your list of terms.”

“Get back in bed, Brenna,” he demanded.

“No.”

The air grew heavy with his cold when his chest was suddenly against mine, his hand gripping my wrist.

“There is a deal. You will obey.”

“I will not be your plaything!” I yelled, shoving him away.

He was silent before he let out a chuckle. “Brenna, fall to your knees.”

My eyes grew larger, and I reached around me, searching for anything to throw at him.

“Brenna,” he repeated. “On. Your. Knees.”

“You’re a fucking animal,” I bit back.

His laugh went deeper, like it was coming from his very soul. “Well, this is an interesting twist I was not expecting.”

I backed up, my knees hitting the edge of the table beside the bed. “What were you not expecting?” My hands went behind me, wrapping around one of the solid bronze candlesticks that had been extinguished when he’d entered the room earlier.

“You’re not obeying.” He laughed again.

“I have three rules,” I reminded him. “Sleep beside you. Do not try to escape. Never look upon your face. Being forced to ride your likely boil-covered cock, is not one of them.”

“You watch your—” He started his warning but I cut him off by throwing the candlestick, hoping I had aimed it right at his face.

“Sorry,” I whispered, running in a frenzy toward the hidden door.

“She wants to play,” his voice echoed behind me.

In the month I’d been in his bed, I’d learned how to navigate through the dark and this time I found the hidden exit with zero struggle. I ripped it open, heading for the threshold when cold wrapped around my ankle, pulling me back into the room.

“Olen!” I screamed down the hall.

Ulrich’s shadows dragged me back to him, shackling me while his heavy body pressed me against the floor.

“You like to be chased,” he taunted. “Don’t you?”

My eyes grew wide while his hips dug into mine.

“Get off of me,” I squeaked.

“What was that noise?” he whispered, his mouth brushing against my ear.

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