Page 16 of The Ruler
Pearl
I had a hard time looking at Khan after his ridiculous accusation at dinner that I was the one needing help with my communication skills.
Yeah, right!
“What do you think?” Khan asked and waved his hands around the room. “Is it to your satisfaction?”
“Yes, it’s fine,” I said softly and moved back a little when he approached me.
That made him stop and frown. “Are you scared of me?”
“I saw you hit your brother today,” I said distrustingly. “Earlier in the garden when I had tea with Christina.”
“So?”
“So I prefer to keep a little distance from you.”
Khan took a stance with his hands in his pockets. “You’ve seen Magni’s temper. Is it so hard to believe my brother said something that insulted me greatly and that I had to respond accordingly?”
“Violence is never the right answer,” I stated.
“I disagree.” Khan stretched with a moan. “But it’s not something you have to worry about. I gave you my word that no man would beat, rape, or molest you, and I’m a man of my word.”
“Is that why I’m here, in your room?”
“Yes.” He gave me a look of self-importance. “I’m the highest-ranking man in the Northlands and normally only a woman under the protection of a husband could walk safely. I take it that you’re not interested in selecting a husband.” He paused waiting for my response.
“Of course not,” I said quickly and gave a small nervous chuckle at the ridiculous notion that any woman would freely get married.
“No, you Momsies don’t like to marry men anymore, Christina already told me,” Khan said with a bitter undertone and moved closer again.
This time I didn’t move back, but forced myself to stand my ground.
“Let’s see how you feel after spending time with arealman. You might change your mind.”
“Are you trying to be funny?” I asked. “You think that insulting my fathers and all my male friends will make me like you? I assure you that our men are asrealas you are. And just so we’re clear, if I decided to pursue the antique institution of marriage between a man and myself, which I won’t, I would pick one of our men over an Nman any day.”
Khan didn’t look shocked by my insult or my tone. He just shrugged with an annoyed glance and turned his back on me. “You’re sleeping on the left side of the bed,” he informed me.
Straightening my shoulders, I spoke with the firm kindness my mom had taught me from early childhood. “Thank you for the offer, but I prefer to sleep on the sofa.”
“It wasn’t an offer, it was an order,” he said and pointed to the bed again.
Summoning patience, I refused to back down. “I’m not sleeping next to you.”
“Why not?” he asked and moved closer to me with his brows lowered.
“Because I don’t wish to be that close to you.”
“Really?” He moved into my private sphere, making me take a step back again.
“But you have no problem holding hands and staring into people’s eyes when you greet them.” His tone was sarcastic.
“That’s different.”
“I see.” He folded his lips between his teeth and looked slightly amused. “You think I want you in my bed so I can ride you?”
“Ride me? Tsk,” I made a sound of amusement. “I’m not a horse, Lord Khan.”
