Page 31 of Her Cruel Empire
“Come,” Eva says.
My body responds before my brain catches up. Heat floods my core despite the fear. Despite everything, my pulse quickens not just with terror but with want. The ache between my thighs intensifies, and I hate myself for it.
That’s not what she meant, I tell myself.Not…that. But my clit won’t be dissuaded, tingling as Eva Novak’s amber eyes meet mine. I freeze. Then I rise slowly, feeling like I’ve been caught somewhere off-limits, even though she specifically said I could explore the castle.
She turns without another word and walks away, and I hurry after her. The warmth of the kitchen evaporates behind me. But even as I follow her out, my eyes flick back to the side hallway where the woman and man vanished.
There’s something in this castle I don’t understand.
And now fear instead of desire floods me as questions start to multiply in my mind.
Chapter 11
Eva
I’ve had a difficult morning, to say the least. I was greeted by an encrypted message on my laptop informing me that our Zurich shipment had been compromised after a Swiss banking investigation flagged three transfers.
Sorting out this mess would require my personal presence, so Leon is already prepping the jet. A whole day, minimum, to clean up this mess. Maybe longer if the bank decides to be difficult.
Part of me wanted to send someone else in my place—my Uncle Stefan, for example, is a very competent negotiator. Because it wasn’t fair, having bought myself such a lovely diversion, that I wouldn’t be able to make use of every moment I have her.
But pissing off the Swiss would have wider implications, and I could hardly let my libido make my decisions for me. So I would go in person, but first, I decided, I needed one more taste to last me while I was gone.
I closed the laptop with a snap and headed to Robin’s room, picturing her curled beneath the silk sheets, maybe enjoying herbreakfast, or maybe in the shower already, getting herself ready for whenever I wanted her company.
Or simply waiting for me. Always waiting.
With a sense of satisfaction, I pushed open her door without knocking—why should I, in my own castle?—and found…
Nothing.
Empty bed. Cold sheets. The fire burned merrily, but there was no soft strawberry blonde to warm herself by it, and her breakfast had gone cold on the side table.
Where the hell was she?
Irritation rose up quickly. Not anger—Robin hadn’t broken any rules. I told her she could wander the castle. But the feeling that shot through my chest was sharp and irrational.
She was supposed to seekmeout. Come to my study with those wide blue eyes and beg me to stay. Curl up by my feet like a kitten while I worked.
I found her quickly enough, thanks to the security tablet. Sitting pretty in the kitchen, of all places. Why on earth was she there? And then I watched as she washed dishes, sipped coffee, even tried to greet the two members of my staff that the others know must be left alone at all times.
That was the last straw. I would have to make her understand that there are rules, and then there areunspokenrules. I called down to make sure the cook kept Robin there, and then I went down to fetch her myself, walking through corridors I haven’t been in since I was a girl.
And now Robin follows without protest, padding behind me in leggings and a sweater instead of couture. She had a whole wardrobe to choose from, just as every woman who comes here does, and she chosethat?
I don’t speak as we walk. I want her to wonder what she’s done wrong. Because shehasdone something wrong, even if I can’t fully express it.
Something about seeing her there—laughing with my servants, washing dishes like some scullery maid—has thrown me off balance.
She was supposed to come tome.
Back in her room, I close the door with deliberate care. Robin heads quickly to the window like she’s trying to disappear into the curtains.
The silence stretches until she breaks it, turning at last to face me.
“Eva, did I…do something wrong?”
Her voice is soft. Uncertain. That nervous look in her eyes disarms me more than it should.
