Page 104 of Kiss of Fire

“This is so pretty,” she said.

The sky was impossibly blue and the air was fresh, scented by wildflowers. Birds with bright green and yellow wings swooped over the water, catching insects on the fly. It was a beautiful setting.

She wondered why Shade had brought her to such a romantic place. Maybe he wanted to discuss their future. Her heart skipped a beat. Was that why he seemed a little out of sorts? Was he nervous?

He reached behind a bush and drew out a long, slim bag.

“I want to give you something.”

Carefully, he pulled out a single flower. A black rose on a long prickled stem, its petals as soft as velvet. Its scent was heavenly and she immediately wanted to bury her nose in it.

She reached for it eagerly, then paused.

“When did you bring this here?”

“I asked Pasha to arrange it.”

Her heart swelled at his thoughtfulness. He held out the flower and she took it carefully, mindful of the thorns. He touched the back of her hand and looked deep into her eyes. His voice was soft.

“I want you to know that I have dreamed of this moment.” She smiled at him and thought she’d never been so happy. His hand closed over hers. “Getting rid of you is my heart’s desire.”

She frowned, sure she’d misheard.

And then she screamed in pain as he crushed her hand around the rose stem, forcing the thorns deep into her palm. Blood streamed from the punctures. She struggled to let go but Shade’s grip was inexorable.

“Stop it! It hurts! What are you doing?”

His eyes were pitiless. Almost as icy as the hand that trapped hers.

Abruptly the strength drained from her limbs. She still felt the pain but now she couldn’t move. Her arms, legs, her entire body were locked into place. She couldn’t even speak.

Not understanding, she stared, terrified, at Shade.

“Just so you know,” he drawled. “I hate you. I hate everything about you. And I’m going to enjoy your suffering. Because make no mistake, you whore, youaregoing to suffer.”

Thirty Eight

Her mind clouded with shock. She struggled to cry out, to open her hand, but she was paralysed. Even when Shade moved away from her, she couldn’t drop the rose.

“Don’t bother trying to run. You’re holding an imobilis rose. The poison from its thorns will keep you frozen until someone takes it off you.”

A single tear rolled down Raya’s face.Why? Why is this happening?

Shade slapped her. The blow struck her across the cheek and she rocked back on her feet. Amid the jumble of pain and disbelief, a thought rose to the surface of Raya’s mind.

His hand was cold. Just as it had been when he touched her earlier. The normal heat that emanated from him was absent.

A second, more disturbing thought occurred to her.

She was entirely at his mercy.

As if reading her mind, Shade slapped her again. Harder. He smiled viciously as her cheek reddened, the imprint of his palm starkly outlined. Her tears were coming thick and fast now, and the salt stung her skin.

“That’s enough.”

A guttural voice rang out and something moved across Raya’s peripheral vision. She strained to see but she couldn’t turn her head.

“You’re not in charge, Silas,” Shade snapped.

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