Page 34 of Filthy Royal

Feeding her definitely eased the edginess.

But it didn’t wipe it away altogether. Not by a long shot.

“Here.” He offered her one of the Consortium’s energy drinks. “You’ve got to be thirsty too.”

“Thank you.” She took it, a wide smile stretching her face as she raised it to her lips.

“Hold up.” He slid his hand between her soft lips and the top of the canister.

She drew back. “What’s wrong?”

He studied her—noticing how the colors on her skin had dimmed. “Do you like the energy drink, Scarlett?”

She flushed. “I really appreciate you getting it for me.”

“That’s not what I asked.” He let some of his dominant Alpha command roll into his voice. “I want the truth.”

She shifted on his lap. Inhaled a deep breath. “No. It’s too bitter.”

She remained perfectly still, as if wary of what he would do next.

Which is why he forced himself to smile when what he really wanted to do was rip out the throats of every Consortium bastard who’d made her afraid to say what she wanted. “Got it. No more energy drinks.” He placed the canister back on the table and grabbed his water bottle instead. “Better?”

“Much.”

It was strange how she could be so bold about sex yet so shy when it came to the rest of her wants, but he suspected he understood the contradiction. They’d trained her to be a fetching, carnal prize. She hadn’t yet fully learned she could be anything else.

He brought the container to her lips.

She grabbed his wrist, stopping him just before the bottle reached her mouth. “Thank you.”

He understood. “You don’t need to thank me. I should thank you for trusting me enough to tell me the truth. Too many fuckers haven’t listened to a word you say. Not me. You tell me what you want. I do it. That’s how we operate from here on out. That’s my vow to you.”

She studied him, the shimmering colors on her skin flashing faster than before. “Okay.”

Through their invisible bond, he sensed her hope and her nerves.

“We’ll practice this. It will get easier.” He picked up a Verishian meat pie. Fighters were supplied delicacies from across the galaxy during the tournament. “You like this one?” He held it close to her lips.

She wrinkled her nose.

He laughed. “No, huh? I’m not a fan either.” He tossed it back onto the tray and chose a sweeter plant dish from his homeland,svalketh. “How about this one?”

“Yes.”

“See, we got this.” He slid a small morsel between her lips and muffled a groan.

He’d never truly understood what it was he truly needed in his life. Now he did.

It was this. It was her.

He relished every moment spent slipping food between her perfect lips, but as they neared the end of the meal, he could contain his question no longer.

“So, what did Kadon Stormhart say to you?” He fed her another choice bit ofsvalketh.

It took way too long for her to chew and swallow. “What?”

“I was in the thick of my matches, but I saw Egan take you to speak with Kadon’s father and the Golden Boy himself.”

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