Page 48 of A Clash of Embers

He laughed. A fake one, but a laugh, nonetheless. “No. No, darling. You heard them, but you chose to make your own decision instead.”

He slammed the fork down on the counter and turned his body to face me with his knees touching the side of my thighs. “Following my instructions could mean life or death for you, Clara. If you don’t listen, you will end up dead.”

I rolled my eyes, slamming the fork that I had just picked up down on the plate, shattering it, turning my body to face him, my knees touching his.

The emerald eyes I had grown to love were so dark and raging with what I had done, and I didn’t care one bit.

“I didn’t know nipples could kill someone.” I stood up and turned to walk away but stopped and turned back to face him because I couldn't help myself. “And another thing.Youforget who I am. You might be powerful and feared but I am powerful and loved. The way you and I control people is very,verydifferent.” I scoffed at him walking away towards the bedroom. I reached for the doorknob and felt a slight gust of wind on the back of my neck.

A strong hand gripped the bicep of my arm turning me around to face him, pushing me against the cold wall. My eyes connected with his and they were softened slightly with interest.

“I don’t disagree with you that you are powerful because you are, but you got part of that incorrect. You see, I am also lovedandfeared. A very dominant person in this world. Whereas you are powerful but you arenotfeared. There isn’t an evil bone in your body for anyone to believe that.” His warm scent entangled my senses as he closed the space between us. He was so close to my lips I could practically taste him as he spoke in a whisper.

“And nipples don’t kill anyone. I just thought that the rest of the group that is arriving in a few minutes would rather be spared seeing them.”

I looked at him confused because I was.

“Oh. I forgot to mention that Griffin, Alexandra, Abraham, and Jax will be arriving to have a meeting with us before ourjourney.” He pulled back slightly with a smirk crossing his face. “But hey, I don’t mind seeing your nipples. Just know that if they want to share them, I don’t share well.” He winked at me and turned walking back down the hall.

It was at this moment I realized that I had been holding my breath. Shit.

The noise from the kitchen grew in volume the longer it took me to get dressed. When I was finally finished, I looked at the mirror before I walked out. My hair was pulled back in a high ponytail with ringlets at the bottom. I had a white tunic shirt that covered the tight black bottoms that hugged every curve of my hips. The high laces were tight around my ankles ensuring that I wouldn’t run too far.

I looked tired but also relieved. My time with Leo was full of uncertainty and ended with regret, and now I was the prisoner of the man who was my mate but no longer my husband. How does one explain that to someone?

Entering the kitchen, the many eyes that I knew and those I had just gotten to know turned to look at me. Many smiled, and some smirked, but Eros didn’t let his emotions show through. He was a stone statue standing between them all, not letting on to any feeling that he might have.

“All right, now that she's here, let’s meet in the office. I’d like to discuss our plan.” Eros spoke to everyone and instantly they followed him. I trailed along with everyone else but Griffin turned to stay behind.

“I guess it’d be weird to make my snarky comments now that we know we're related huh?” He laughed and so did I.

“Oh, Griffin. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes, we are cousins but don’t change who you are because of it.”

He replied swiftly, “Great because I can’tnotcomment on the pants. Did Eros pick those out for you? It would make sense if he did, but doesn’t he not want people to look at you?”

I laughed, “Well, apparently this morning my little nipple escapade didn’t work out for me, so it resulted in this outfit instead.”

His eyebrows rose with a question, but before he could respond, Eros cut our conversation off as we all entered the office space.

“Today we will be leaving to go to Bolzana. Griffin and Abraham, your platoons should be ready south of Avellino in case of attack. The rest of our soldiers will station on the outskirts of the Eastern front."

He continued to talk, but I wasn't listening. I watched outside the window, watching two birds interact with one another. They were...playing.The little hair that poked out the top of their heads was white and fluffy, and I couldn't help but smile as I watched them. They perched themselves on the branch outside of the window and they turned to look into the room. When they did, they looked atme.

I stared back at them, blinking a few times thinking they couldn’t possibly be looking at me. It was as if they were waiting for me to say something. They were listening. For me.

Are you waiting for me?

I asked the birds curiously. Their heads tilted in surprise, but they stayed perched on the branch. They made chirping noises and I focused on them. Waiting for a response.

We all are.

I blinked repeatedly because who wasall? Within a blink, they were gone. Flown away. I stared at the floor to process the conversation—if it would even be called that.We all are.

I felt the tug of my hand when I shook my thoughts away and turned my attention to Eros and the rest of the group that were staring at me.

"Clara, are you okay with this?" Eros asked me.

I looked at him hesitantly and scanned the group before returning my gaze back to him.

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