Page 48 of Deceived By a Warrior

I can’t trust him, not after what he did,she reminded herself.

She shook her head, needing to get her mind off him. The only thing that mattered right now was ruining the vile being in front of her. Beings as wicked as Artem shouldn’t be allowed to walk this earth. It waswrong.

And yet there’s an entire community of hateful sorceresses out there, walking this earth.

Eva couldn’t think about her‘family’.Currently, she had bigger fish to fry.

Like Artem.

When Eva situated herself in front of Artem’s throne, Karina and Darius standing just behind her, she decided to give Artem an extravagant courtesy, despite the fact that she wore no skirts to flare out. “My lord.”

She didn’t miss Artem’s scowl, though it was so subtle she doubted anyone else noticed. He had caught onto her mocking nature.

He didn’t dare react to it. Of course he wouldn’t. Why would he risk revealing to everyone that a foreign sorceress was mocking his authority? All anyone saw was a captive giving him a sign of respect.

Let the battle of wits begin.

“You’re looking much better than you did when we last saw each other,” he commented. His tone was smooth, but his eyes were sharp.

“We both know it takes about a week for me to heal, which is exactly how long it took for you to call on me. You must beveryeager to have your fortune be told.”

“Perhaps I’m only eager to keep you ill.”

Eva nonchalantly shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

A hateful grin revealed itself. He eyed her curiously, as if trying to pick up on what game she was playing.

Did she want someone like Artem to hate her? Probably not. But she decided she was going to die, probably by his hands, anyway. Why not go down with a fight?

Also, if she was able to blatantly deny his authority in front of everyone, perhaps others would begin to see his weaknesses. Perhaps others would no longer be afraid to speak up.

His fingernails began tapping against his armrest.Click, click, click.Shivers shot through her. She’d never get used to that disgusting throne, or his impulsive need to constantly tap it.

“You’re absolutely right. You shouldn’t be surprised.” He remained outwardly calm, but she could see the way his eyes ticked. He was inwardly losing his mind. “I think everyone here can understand that I wouldn’t want my most prized possession to ever be capable enough to aid someone other than me. Once you stepped foot in this castle, I owned you.”

“Castle?” Eva scoffed, obnoxiously looking around the place. “Doesn’t look like much of one, if I’m being honest. I’ve heard humbleness is a great trait. Unfortunately, it’s a trait I’ve never acquired.”

His nails stopped tapping against his armrest., gripping it instead. He was visibly shaking. She needed him to break and say something he couldn’t take back in front of everyone. He needed everyone to see he wasn’t invincible.

And he was already breaking.

Bring. It. On.

A hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her back so hard she stumbled, landing against Darius’ chest. “What are you doing?” She harshly whispered to him, knowing Artem was watching everything.

“What am Idoing? What areyoudoing? I told you not to play games!”He hissed into her ear.“Stop testing him.”

“Or what?”She was going to die whether she liked it or not. She’d at least try to bring Artem down a bit with her.

“OrI’lltestyou!”

She gulped, the thought of what he’d do totesther unexpectedly thrilling her.

“My sweet, spoiled soothsayer,” Artem spoke after a much too long pause, his eyes pinned on them. “Perhaps I have spoiled you too much. I believe the dungeons will be a much better fit for you than Darius’ room.”

Eva jabbed her elbow into Darius’ chest, and he reflexively released her, giving her the space she needed. Standing straight, she grinned up to Artem and said, “I bet they’re also underwhelming.”

Finally, he broke.

---