Page 48 of Blackwarden
She knew I wouldn’t choose anyone. I had never been the one to choose. She would have to force me and she had no problem doing so.
“There’s something different about her,” Bevgyah said as she leaned into my space, running her fingers down the center of my chest.
I stiffened, unsure what she’d say next because therewassomething different about Rosalin. There were many things.
“She feels everything so much more intensely,” she said as she pushed the waist of my pants lower with her claw-like fingernails.
I was shocked she’d allowed me to remain fully clothed. Usually at this point in the night, she would have removed my shirt at the very least.
“And I wonder how her emotions must taste to you with your...heightened sensitivities.”
Rosalin’s emotions were torture. Her fear was bitterness on my tongue. I’d wanted to hold her hand when I stood beside her against the wall, but I wasn’t allowed to touch her. I thought if I could get her to drink some of the Fae wine she’d relax enough to get through the night, but she’d refused, and now she was somewhere in Bevgyah’s palace without supervision. I didn’t worry about whatshewould do, so much as whatsomeonewould do to her. I took a sharp breath, trying to focus on only my own emotions.
“Perhaps, I can let you break this rule just once,” she purred in my ear and goosebumps rippled down my arms.
A flash of hot need sank between my legs. I hated the way my body responded, the hope that I could keep Rosalin from someoneelse’s ravenous hands even if it meant enduring Bevgyah’s depraved desires. It was hope she would shatter at her earliest convenience.
“Go, find our little pet.”
I glared at her. A cruel smile turned up her lips.
“My kindness had best not go unrewarded, Blackwarden.”
I didn’t wait for her to change her mind. Things at the revel had begun taking a more intimate turn. Some of the guests had chosen maidens and were retiring to the small suites off the harem’s hallway, where they could enjoy themselves more privately. I could feel the desire and sex as if it were my own, and though, I was usually good at pushing it away, tonight it was so much harder. But I knew, if I wasn’t anywhere near Bevgyah, I wouldn’t be forced to do something I didn’t want.
I went straight for the main hall of the palace to get away from the cacophony of emotions and try and isolate Rosalin’s. The halls were empty. A few of the guards on duty were standing outside the entrance to the harem, the others had left. No one wanted to be around the debauchery of the queen’s pleasure party, unless they were taking part.
The silence was soothing. The oppressive moist heat and smell of sweat of the harem replaced with cool air that calmed the frayed edges of my mind. I stood in the center of the hall and waited, closing my eyes in the hopes it would eliminate any distractions but the feel of her fear.
“Are you following me, Blackwarden?”
I turned to find her standing in the middle of the hall, eyes wide with surprise. She wasn’t afraid, she wascurious. I’d been looking for the wrong emotion. I should have known she’d find a way back to her questions.
“Her majesty wishes for you to return to the revel.”
She shuddered, wrapping her arms around her shoulders and the need to wrap mine around her was overpowering. “I’d rather not.”
The slightest smile tugged at my lips. I couldn’t help myself. Her honesty was so pure. The Rosalin I knew.My Rosalin.I held out a hand without thinking. “I promise, you’re far safer there than you are wandering these halls alone.”
She didn’t hesitate. She took my hand. There wasn’t a shred of fear where there had been before, and I shivered at the touch of her skin. I shouldn’t be touching her.
I wasn’t allowed.
“Is that the room where the portal to the human world is?” she asked, pointing toward a door that had been left slightly ajar.
I hesitated. Had someone told her about the portal? Or did she remember?
“It is.”
“And you being the Gatekeeper, areyouthe one who takes people back and forth?”
“I am.” I was grinning from ear to ear now. I wanted her questions. I wanted all of them.
“Could you take me back through?”
I swallowed, holding her gaze. She truly didn’t remember the reason she was here, why she’d been brought through in the first place.
“I can’t.”
