Page 92 of Touched By Sin
“It kind of is when you want to start a war because of my nightmares.”
“Your nightmares,” he growls, leaning in close, “nearly got you killed!”
I wait for a group of students to walk by before I lower my voice. “Don’t you get it? This is what he wants. You’re playing into his hands.”
Releasing me, he walks by and carries on down the hallway. Confused, I blink as Alaric puts his arm over my shoulder.
“Baby, you’ve got to stop angering him like that.”
“Me angeringhim?”I laugh. “He’s the one being unreasonable.”
“You insulted the heir to the kingdom by accusing him of not being powerful enough to protect you.”
My mouth opens and closes, and then I blurt, “Because he’s not!”
Ronan shakes his head and then walks off too, leaving me to stare after him. When I look up at Alaric, he’s got an amused glint in his brown eyes.
“It’s the truth!”
Removing his arm from around me, he pats me on the top of my head and says, “Keep telling yourself that.”
As he walks away, I huff an annoyed breath before flipping him off, making a group of students laugh nearby. “You know I’m right!”
ChapterTwenty-Seven
DAEMON
Isit in my father’s office with my ankle crossed over my knee, watching him stare at the moon through the tall window. Its silvery glow floods the room and travels across the stone floor. His face is in shadow when he slowly turns, his dark eyes burning into me as he nears. With his hands clasped behind his back, he takes measured steps. “I understand you’re fond of the girl?”
I stay quiet, my jaw clenched. He called me in here for a meeting. Whatever he has to say, I won’t like it.
“You know the deal, son—”
“I haven’t forgotten!”
He regards me as he lowers himself down onto the edge of the desk. “Good. She’s a pretty girl, but there’s a bigger picture. We can’t afford to get sidetracked.”
“I won’t get sidetracked.”
Flashing his perfectly straight teeth, he smashes his hands together. “That’s the right attitude. I’ve spoken to your uncle, and the deal will go ahead as planned. They’ll collect her this coming weeke—”
I shoot up so fast, the chair falls over, crashing loudly on the stone floor. “Over my dead fucking body! He’s not having her.”
My father narrows his eyes at me but keeps calm. Unlike me, he’s not as quick to anger. “She’s not for you.”
I snort. “She sure as fuck is not for Dmitriy!” The thought of him touching her again makes me want to destroy something. Preferably my cousin and his smug smile. I feel sick thinking about him parading her down the hallway like a prize, because that’s exactly what he’ll do.
My father waits for me to finish raging before folding his arms over his chest and spreading his legs. “You knew from the beginning that you wouldn’t be able to keep her.”
I’m pacing again. Okay, sure, I stole her for a bit of fun. She was a novelty. But it’s not fucking fun anymore. She has burrowed her way under my skin, unlike any other girl. I’m not giving that up. I’m not givingherup. I don’t care what it takes.
My father, perceptive as always, rises to his feet and kills the distance between us. We’re matched in height. There used to be a time when I was shorter, and he would use it against me, but those days are over. I’m in my prime, and he’s not.
“She’s become your weakness, son, and we can’t afford weaknesses. Enemies will take notice, and they will use her against you. Besides, she’s anangel.It won’t be long before word spreads about what we’re keeping hidden here at the academy.”
I hate that he’s right. I would kill for her. Fuck, Ihavekilled for her. At this rate, I would probablybekilled for her, too. She’ll get me into a shitload of trouble, if nothing else.
“Dmitriy can’t have her,” I repeat.
