Page 86 of Cursed Evermore
Thayden—her fucking betrothed.He’dgiven her that dress.
The mere thought of him, and her holding on to that dress because he’d given it to her, heated my blood.
I’d been under the impression that Elariya didn’t exactly care for him. There was no doubt that she would have gone with me that night and given me more than just that kiss.
Their marriage arrangement appeared to be out of convenience, a necessity to save her family. Similar to what Dreynthor was trying to do to me.
Perhaps I’d been wrong about her and Arielle was right. All I’d based my assumptions on was the conversation I’d overheard between Elariya and her cousin at the tavern, but if I were being honest, I hadn’t heard enough. I also chose to act on what appealed to me most—a beautiful virgin I’d wanted to devour.
For all I knew, she probably wanted the experience of being with someone else before binding herself to Thayden. That didn’t mean she didn’tlovehim.
She’d known him all her life. Regardless of the curse, a lifetime of being around each other was enough to be attached.
I on the other hand, was someone she’d forget in twenty-two days.
And now she was defying me. Forhim.
No. That wasn’t going to happen. Not on my ship, not while she was in my care, not while she wasmine.
“Meeting over.” I stood, darkness bleeding from my shadows. Instantly, Arielle and the others exchanged worried glances.
“Where are you going?” Arielle stuttered.
“My prisoner and I have matters to discuss.”
“Wolfe,” Garrick started, concern etched into his features. “Maybe it’s best you cool off for a few minutes. You may not want to frighten the girl any more than you have.”
“I know how to handle my own prisoner,” I snapped, darkness curling around my fingers. Elariya didn’t know the full meaning of what it felt like to be frightened yet. It was time she did.
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees as I walked out, tension and darkness following me like a procession.
No one dared stop me.
I left them behind without another word, marching down the corridor toward Elariya's chambers with shadows licking at my boots like hungry beasts eager to be unleashed.
If the little mage wanted to play this game, I would show her exactly what kind of monster she was dealing with.
The magical shackle binding her to me hummed against my consciousness, growing stronger the closer I got.
When I reached her room, I didn’t bother to wait for the wards to part or unlock the door. I just used the shadow’s Obscura and slipped through the wood like I had the night Istalked her bedroom. I remained there, invisible, while I looked around.
Sure enough, the food was all there. The dishes from yesterday remained covered like they were last night, and the tray of food Arielle brought her earlier sat next to it. The clothes were still fucking folded on the bed.
The beautiful mage lingered by the window, a living painting, framed in morning light and disdain. Her hair was in a messy bun, and that gods be damned dress slinked off her shoulders, exposing milky skin that begged to be tasted.
The moment she saw me materialize before her, she nearly jumped out of her skin. The scream that left her lips as she leapt back into the wall echoed through the chamber and rumbled in my chest.
She was about to smart-mouth me until she saw the shadows curling at my feet, then her skin turned as pale as the moon, and just as lovely.
I smiled at her and stepped right into her personal space, scaring her even more. She pressed against the wall so hard I almost thought it would hear her silent pleas to take her. Help her escape me. It might have, but like everything and everyone on board this vessel, it answered to me
“What do you want?” she stammered, breathing slowly in an attempt to steady her voice. It didn’t work. The mage reeked of fear, sharp and sour, as pungent as the sulphureous bogs of Elyndria that could kill you with a single breath.
“Really? You’re seriously asking me what I want?” I let my gaze rake over her. “I think you know what I want.”
Her eyes widened. Her entire face flushed, nearly as deep a shade as her hair.
“You pirate bastard. You will not touch me,” she cried, pushing further into the wall, clutching her arms over her chest like the terrified virgin she was. “I willnevergive myself to you.”
