Page 140 of Of Rime and Ruin
Gently, I slip beneath her defenses and project my Voice:Hey, pretty girl.
The clawbeast snorts, whipping her head to glare at me. Her eyes burn hot, and annoyance flares in her mind.
Shh, shh, it’s okay.I lift my hands in surrender.I just wanted to say how lovely you look today. Has anyone told you what beautiful eyes you have?
She cocks her head. Her lips curl in a snarl as she blinks—long, white eyelashes, like Aethan’s. Beautiful.
Aethan.I swallow against a knot in my throat, trying to ignore the sharp pang. But I can’t. I close my eyes, and his face fills my mind, crowding out all other thoughts. Blue eyes, glinting with mischief. That cocky, lopsided smile. His jaw flexing irritably.
I fucked up.
I feel the spiral coming, the dark emotions threatening to suck me under. My heart beats faster. My chest tightens. A prickle forms in my throat.
What was I doing? I should focus on my task. Come up with better compliments. Operation Kiss Ass is slipping. I’m failing.
The clawbeast launches from her post. Her hand wraps around my throat, and she slams me into the wall, our faces mere inches apart. Nostrils flaring. Eyes blazing. Her thoughts swirl with exuberance and intrigue. Curiosity.
My body tenses. She doesn’t eat me. Just crouches, holding me in place. Waiting. Wanting more.
More what?
What do you want from me?I press.
Her eyes widen as she stares at me expectantly.More.
So helpful. She’s like Aethan when I first met his Beast form, simple thoughts trapped in a complex sea of emotions.
She tightens her grip.More!
Aethan?I cock my eyebrow, and she nods.You like him, too, eh?I project my memory of Aethan’s handsome face for the clawbeast to see.
Her tail slaps the floor. Her smile spreads, revealing pointed teeth as satisfaction colors her mind. Fucking figures. What’s not to like about him?
More, she rasps, fingers tightening around my throat. My gills flutter feebly beneath her grip, fighting to draw oxygen. I gasp, vision speckling.
If this keeps her from eating me, so fucking be it.Okay, but let go of me first.
She loosens her grip, and my gills flutter freely. Oxygen rushes in.
Thank you.I wait for her to release me, but she maintains her hold. Rough fingers brush the skin of my throat. Her brow furrows, and impatience washes through our connection.
I roll my eyes and sigh.All the way, please. You can do it, pretty girl. Then I’ll show you some more.
I willnotbe her bitch.
She lets out a low whine but complies, dropping her hand.More, she echoes.
Fine.
I skip through my memories of him—running past the intimate moments—and settle on my favorite: our second night on the Frosted Plains. He has me pinned in the snow, and he’s leaning in for a kiss. His eyelids droop, half-closed with lust. He never sees it coming—my snowball, smacking into his face. Slush slides down his cheek. Snow clumps in his eyelashes and hair, and he shakes his head to clear it.Got him.
The clawbeast chortles, glee sparking through her mind.More!
I show her Aethan in the throne room, a devilish grin on his face. He kisses my hand, pulls me into his arms, and twirls me around our private dance floor. My dress wraps around my legs as I pirouette and glitter flies.
The clawbeast startles. Snorts. Hot bubbles wash over my face as she leans closer, eyes wide.Again.
How long are we going to play this game? I sigh, flicking to another memory. She growls, the sound rippling out in warning.
