Page 36 of A Reign of Malice
Gods, I can’t do this. I can’t let him continue to touch me like this. Not when I know Julian is so close, not when he’s what I want above all else.
But I also know I have to. At least until I have a valid reason not to.
“Clara!”I scream for her through our mental link.“I don’t care what excuse you come up with, find us in the room nearest to the foyer and interrupt.”
“Be there soon.”
Nothing will be soon enough, but I lean into Aeson’s touch, playing my role. I can’t crumble yet. I decided to play this game, and there’s no backing out until I’ve won. No matter the sacrifices I must make.
Julian will understand if he’s everything I’m beginning to believe he is.
Aeson angles his head, closing the space between us. His lips brush mine, making my wolf recoil, snarling and repulsed, but I don’t flinch.
Instead, I let my hands slide higher, tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. Seconds stretch into what feel like minutes, and I let him ravage me. His dark scent assaults my senses, and the stubble on his cheek feels harsh against my exposed skin.
My heart hammers in my chest, and when he starts to unbutton his pants, I nearly lose the hold over my wolf as she attempts to take control.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for decades,” hewhispers into my ear. “We might not be mates, but you were always meant to be mine, Sloane. My only regret is that it took you so long to realize what I already knew.” He grabs my chin, looking into my eyes, and I hope he can’t see my revulsion. “I tried everything over the years, and my desperation to claim you only continues to?—”
A crash echoes from the foyer. Aeson tenses for a second before opening his mouth, but then there are raised voices. Ones that will undoubtedly draw attention, and not the kind this king prefers.
Aeson jerks back, cursing as he fixes his attire. “Today of all days.” His gaze snaps toward the door. “I’m done with interruptions.”
Another shout. A woman’s voice—Dasha.
What have I done?
I asked Clara to interrupt, but I didn’t think she’d make a scene. Every hour, this situation becomes more complicated. I thought I could handle this, that I could play Aeson, but maybe Julian was right. I don’t know what I’m getting into, and if Clara, or anyone else, gets hurt in the process…
Still, for the moment at least, I have to keep playing my part or things might get much, much worse.
I exhale sharply, smoothing out my gown. “What the hell is going on out there?”
Aeson growls under his breath, storming to the door without answering me. The moment he yanks it open, we’re met with a scene I never would’ve expected.
Dasha has Clara pinned against the wall and both are red-faced with tightened fists, seeming ready for a fight. I have no clue what could’ve caused this, but I’m going to find out.
“I told you.” Dasha’s voice cracks with urgency. “You don’t understand what you’re doing?—”
Clara scoffs. “What I understand is that you’re trying to keep me from doing my job.”
Dasha reaches for her, but Aeson grabs them both by the backs of their necks. “Enough!” His voice booms twice as loud as theirs. “The two of you are supposed to be leading examples of what it means to be an advisor and members of this pack. I should lock you in the dungeon.”
Clara chuckles, but I step in before that’s where she actually gets sent, or worse.
“I agree.” This makes my advisor straighten. “Do you care to tell us what started all of this?”
Dasha keeps her eyes lowered as she answers. “Clara was trying to interrupt the two of you, and it was my job to stop her.”
“And it’s my job to inform my queen when a new pup is born into our pack,” Clara sneers. “Promptly.”
“Selene and Trav had a safe delivery of their young?” I ask, half because a change of subject might lighten the tension as Aeson still has a grip on their necks, but also because if this is true, it’s not only a suitable distraction, but great news. The mates lost their last baby, and they’d been terrified throughout this pregnancy.
Clara nods. “Yes, a baby boy. The name has yet to be decided. If this is something not worthy of interruption any longer, I do apologize for my misstep.”
The tick in her jawline tells me how hard those words were for her to say, but they seem to work.
Aeson finally loosens his hold and steps back to stand next to me. “A note will suffice in the future if we’re indisposed. In the meantime, both of you will be punished for making such a scene, on today of all days.”
