Page 97 of Heir of Illusion

“I was unwell,” I mumble, trying to slow my racing heart. My mind spins as I try to process the situation. I can feel him everywhere. His arm around my stomach is a chain trapping me against him. I try to focus on my breathing again—in through my nose and out through my mouth—as he trails kisses down my neck. “How did you get in my room?”

His body goes still. “Are you not happy to have me here?”

“No!” I say quickly, inwardly cursing my own stupidity. But I can’t think with him this close. It’s too much. Especially after last night. Being close to Thorne was overwhelming is the most incredible way, but this is completely the opposite. The wrongness of it makes me feel sick.

“I’m just confused,” I offer. “My mind is struggling to catch up.”

His hand goes to my shoulder, pressing me flat on my back as he hovers over me. His face is utterly blank, but there’s a coldness in his eyes that is terrifying. I’ve fucked up. Denying him last night was the wrong decision. If I’d sent myeidolonto him like I always do, this wouldn’t be happening.

But was it really the wrong choice? Why should you have to do any of this?

I push those thoughts away, knowing they won’t help me right now.

“Did your sudden illness last night have anything to do withKillian?”

My eyes widen as I shake my head. “No, I?—”

His hand moves to the center of my chest, less than an inch from the collar. “You two seemed very close last night, before he ruined my ball.”

I swallow, begging my heart to maintain a steady rhythm. “I was following our plan, trying to get information out of him.”

His eyes harden as he leans closer. “And how’s that working out for you, pet? Because you missed a pretty big piece ofinformation.”

I lower my gaze. “You’re right. I’m sorry I let you down.”

He sighs as his hand moves to my chin, lifting it so that I’m forced to look at him. “Were you upset about my announcement? Is that why you didn’t come to my chambers?”

“No. I want to be with you.” The words taste awful on my tongue as I search for a way to explain my strange behavior. “I was just overwhelmed. Surprised.”

“Surprised?” His head tilts back in shock.

“Elated,” I clarify, hoping the word appeases him. “It was a happy surprise, but I didn’t expect it.” I drop my gaze again, hoping to emulate the insecurity he loves to see in me. “I know Kaldar was pushing for Bridgid to be your bride. I thought maybe… you were going to pick her.”

He barks out a laugh. “You couldn’t have thought I was actually entertaining that idea?”

His gaze trails over my face, moving down my neck and settling on my chest where the sheer fabric of my nightgown hides nothing.

“As if it could have been anyone else,” he murmurs, his hand shifting to rest on my stomach again. “Only you could be my wife... The mother of my children.”

My whole body recoils. “Children?”

“Not right now, pet.” He offers me a conspiratorial smile as his earlier anger is replaced by something far more dangerous. “Though we could practice making them?”

He leans in to kiss me, but I turn my head, forcing his lips to land on my cheek instead.

“I should probably bathe first,” I try to excuse myself as I lightly push against his shoulder. “I’m sure I smell.”

“After,” he whispers against my cheek. “We’ll bathe together.”

His hand moves to the buttons of my nightgown as he presses open-mouthed kisses into my neck. His scent is everywhere. Bile rises in my throat, mixing with the taste of blood as I bite my cheek to keep from screaming. He hasn’t actually touchedmethis way since before Leona’s death. Every instinct in my body screams at me to stop this. To push him away. But I can’t. He’ll use the collar. He’ll choke me. Or worse…

He’llmakeme do it. He’ll use the collar to command me to comply.

Hot fury boils underneath my skin, burning the blood in my veins. Some dark beast inside of me thrashes against its cage, desperate to be free. It yearns to feast, to destroy. Sweat seeps from my pores as all my buried rage bubbles over.

Baylor lifts his head, brow furrowed as he searches my face. “You’re so warm?—”

A knock on the door cuts him off.

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