Page 47 of Tarnished Queen

“And it doesn’t bother you that it’s against my will?” I grit out.

“Between giving you free will and keeping you alive, I choose keeping you alive.”

Even though Nikolai is hovering over me, there’s a purposeful distance between our bodies. He could pin me to the bed with his hips, drive his knee against my aching sex, and make me delirious with lust. But he seems to be making a concerted effort not to touch me any more than necessary.

I can’t decide if it’s for his benefit or for mine.

“Okay, so you want to keep me alive—today. But what about when that changes? Am I just supposed to trust that my safety will stay your priority?”

His gray eyes stroke over my face. I feel it like a physical touch. “I told you even before Iceland that I would take care of you and Elise. I’ve done that,” he says. “I vow to you right now that I’ll continue to do that so long as I’m alive. No one can stop me. Not even you.”

I stare up at him, speechless. Nikolai stares back. He looks into my eyes, and I know he’s serious. I know this is as solemn a vow as he’s ever taken. I know he means every word.

And the power of that keeps me pinned to the mattress even when Nikolai stands up and walks to the door.

I hear the door open. I wait for it to swing closed, but it doesn’t come. Instead, I hear his voice.

“You don’t need to be afraid of me, Belle.”

But that is where he’s wrong. My heart is thundering in my chest, my hands shaking with nerves and desire. My entire body is short-circuiting because of him. Despite everything that has happened and everything he has done, Nikolai has an inescapable hold on my body, my mind, my soul.

I should be very, very afraid.

I am.

Then the door closes, and I’m alone.

15

NIKOLAI

Elise is in the kitchen when I walk down the next morning. “You’re up early.” I eye the mug in front of her and lean forward for a look inside. “Coffee? Does your sister approve of that?”

“I’m fourteen, not four.”

I hold up my hands. “Suit yourself.” I pour myself a mug and settle into the seat across from her. “Well?"

"Well what?" she asks.

"You're up at dawn and in my kitchen. You clearly have something to say.”

“No, I don’t.”

“If you wanted to talk to me, you could’ve come to my office anytime. No need to lose sleep over it.”

She glances down at her folded hands, a hint of the nerves she's trying hard to hide. "My sister is right: you are a know-it-all."

I chuckle and yawn. "Guilty."

“But she’s a know-it-all, too. You are perfect for each other. You both think you always know what’s best for everyone else.”

“Only one of us is right,” I say.

"I just want you to be nicer to her," Elise blurts. "If you're going to get married, you have to be nice."

I mull it over, taking a sip of my steaming coffee. Then I meet her gaze.

"I'll take care of her," I say finally. "And you."

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