Page 18 of Savage Crown

I don’t answer.

Because the truth is a sharp, unwelcome thing.

Once, I might have. Once, I would have dragged her against me, bitten her lip just to feel her breath stutter. Once, I would have indulged in the games, the venom, the desire twisted with danger.

Now?

I don’t know.

Her lips curve, as if she can feel my hesitation, as if she feeds off it.

"You know," she whispers, voice softer now, almost intimate, "I could help you."

"Help me?" How cute.

She tilts her head. "You have something I want."

I chuckle. "I always do."

Lartina lifts her hand again—this time, pressing two fingers under my chin, tilting my face toward hers.

"What if we stopped fighting?" she breathes. "What if we made a deal?"

My throat tightens.

This is what she does.

She turns things into temptation.

Power. Passion. Possession.

She used to be my greatest weakness.

And she knows it.

Silence ensues and I let her think I’m considering it.

Slowly, I lean in, my mouth hovering just over hers. Close enough to tease. Close enough to remind her of what she used to have.

Lartina stills.

She doesn’t look quite so in control.

Just as she begins to close the distance—I pull back.

Her breath hitches. Just barely.

And I smile.

"I’m not the man you used to know, Lartina." My voice is quiet, edged with something cold.

She blinks once. Twice.

She laughs.

A low, wicked sound.

"Of course not," she whispers, stepping away, smoothing down her gown. "But you’re still mine, Rylan."

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