Page 40 of Darkest Heart

She clucked her tongue. “Over Sebastian? Never. I just hate the whole idea of soulmates.”

“Good.” I fisted her hair, pressing her against the wall. My hip bones pressed into the top of my thigh, my erection growing as her features softened. “I don’t care for it either,” I admitted. Mostly because I could never match up to Vangard in Seraphina’s eyes. Soulmates were a whole different connection. But with him dead, she’d have no choice but to warm up to someone. That someone would be me.

She dragged her bottom lip between her teeth. The scent of her pheromones, mixed with a hint of arousal reached my nose.

She smiled sweetly. “That’s why I like you. You and me, we are the same.”

“You seem to only care aboutAstor.”

She splayed her fingers over my chest. “That’s not true.”

Anger and resentment intertwined with lust, confusing every movement. She still screwed me over. She’d done it before, and was doing it again. “Don’t ever cross me again,” I warned, tightening my grip on her hair. Her eyes widened, her lips parting gently as her next breath stuttered.

She brought her lips up to mine, but I caught her chin before she could try. She humphed. “Oh, come on,” she said, touching my arm. “We both know you want this. I need a release, too.”

Every muscle in my body tensed, anger spilling from every word as I brought my mouth to her ear. “I’m busy,” I snapped back, letting her go.

She laughed in disbelief as I turned my back on her. “Really? You’re turningmedown.Me?”

“Don’t be so conceited,” I said.

“Wait. Please, Niall,” she called before I reached the door. “At least tell me how close are they to finding Olivia? You have to know something. You have informants in the south.”

“I’m not telling you a thing.”

“Just tell me, are they close to finding them?”

“Astor isn’t who you think he is,” I said, pulling my hair back tightly, and out of my face.

“Because you’re so perfect?” She arched a thin brow.

“Gods, no.” I glanced at the window. Azia would be waiting for me. “Stay out of our rooms. Next time, I won’t stop Adrian from killing you.”

She laughed, then climbed back onto her bed. “He could try.”

“I’ll help him,” I warned. “Don’t fuck with me.”

She pulled a sheet over her curves, forming a perfect silhouette beneath the covers. “What about Sargon?” she asked, changing the topic.

“I don’t know,” I lied. “We all know he has an army, and is heading south.”

“I thought you were going to kill him.”

A wave of numbness walled my mind. “How did you know that?”

Her smudged, painted lips curved up. “My mother. Don’t think your father doesn’t know what you’re up to. He has Nightshade following you everywhere.”

My fingers curled into my palm, my nails biting into the skin. Of course he was having me followed. He never did fully trust me. Although he was right not to, the thought that every move was being tracked made me want to tear him apart. “Thanks for telling me. I’ll be more careful.”

I turned my back, but her voice followed me into the corridor. “You need to do it while he’s traveling. I can help you.”

I shook my head, holding my head higher as I left her behind and headed to the cottage.

***

Azia poured over ancient scrolls. His brown eyes focused on the text sprawling the pages. I paced his office, the faint scent of honeycomb and brewing tea leaves wafting from the kitchen. It was close to midday, and my stomach ached from the absence of breakfast. Seeing Gwen had made me late for this meeting, giving me no time to feed.

The castle was brimming with mortals, the Blood Brother’s parties more exclusive, and according to Azia, decadent, than ever.

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