Page 35 of A Reign of Malice
His voice slithers down my spine, smooth as silk but held together with something heavier. Expectation. Command.Suspicion.
I exhale slowly before turning toward him with a saccharine smile on my face.
Aeson still stands in the foyer, arms crossed over his chest, his blue eyes dark and nearly unreadable. But I see it. The sharp edge just beneath the surface.
He knows something.
I school my expression into one of mild curiosity and force sultry into my voice as I address him. “Yes, my king?”
His lips twitch as he strides toward me, closing the space between us with slow and deliberate steps. “We need to talk.”
Aeson doesn’t wait for an answer before gripping my elbow, guiding me through a side passage that leads to one ofthe smaller offices. The door clicks shut behind us, and all too soon, we’re alone.
Just like before, but at least I’m not taken by surprise this time.
He says nothing at first, just watches me as he removes his gloves, flexing his fingers like a man considering his next move on a chessboard.
I lift my chin. “Is something wrong?”
Aeson’s gaze tightens. “You were in the lower levels of the castle while I was gone this afternoon.”
Shit.Someonewasthere.
I tilt my head, feigning confusion. “Lower levels?”
One dark brow arches. “Don’t play games, Sloane. One of my staff saw you. I’d hoped you would be honest with me before I had to ask.”
A slow breath. The tension of the moment settles over me, but I don’t let it show. Instead, I shift, letting my expression soften—just enough.
Time to pivot.
I step toward him, deliberate in my movements, allowing my body to brush his ever so slightly. “Oh, in the south wing? I thought that was still part of the first floor. I was looking for extra space to store some of my things.” I exhale lightly, letting my lips part just a little, and his eyes dip, just for a second. “There are still boxes being moved from Alcaris. I didn’t want to burden you or have them in the foyer when our guests arrived, so I thought I’d find a place myself.”
Aeson studies me, but I see it in the flicker of his gaze—hesitation. He doesn’t want to believe me, but I’m vital to his plans. He needs me happy until we actually bond. Though, I’m not sure the cost of said thing is something he’s decided on just yet.
Push him further.
I reach up, dragging a hand down his chest slowly, trailing my nails over the fabric of his shirt. “But…” I sigh, my lashes lowering slightly, inviting. “That wasn’t all.”
Aeson stays silent, but I can feel the shift. His grip on his control tightens, like a wolf caught between instinct and logic.
I lift my gaze, meeting his. “My wolf picked up on an energy in that part of the castle.” I exhale again, slower this time, watching his pupils expand. “It called to me, settling over my skin like a warm summer’s day. It was…” My fingers press against his chest, and I let my lips curve into something wicked. “Tantalizing. You’ve been holding out on me, my king.”
Aeson’s hand catches my wrist, but he doesn’t push me away. He waits.
Good.
I step another inch forward, my voice dipping lower. “I wonder…” I let my breath ghost over his cheek before my lips barely skim the corner of his mouth. “What other powerful secrets are you hiding from me? Because I’m beginning to see the bigger picture here. More importantly, I approve.”
His breath hitches.
He’s falling for it.
Aeson holds onto my waist, his grip pressing in just enough to remind me of the power he thinks he holds over me. His voice is rougher now, thicker. “What is it you think you see?” he murmurs, meeting my heady stare with one of his own.
My fingertip glides over his mouth. “You’re making us the strongest pack in Lunara. Something neither of us could’ve done on our own…but together,” I scrape my lower lip with my teeth and let out a soft moan. “Together, we could be unstoppable. But only if we trust each other. Something you haven’t extended to me.”
His nose travels up my neck, and he nips at my ear lobe. “Trust, huh? That’s not something I give easily. You might’ve signed that contract, but you’ve done little to show me just how invested you truly are in this partnership.”
