Page 47 of A Clash of Embers

Eros turned to the crowd, eyeing Griffin briefly, and spoke loudly, in a voice I had heard a few times before in my head, but only when he was pissed off.

“No one will ever lay a finger on my mate. If you do or eventryto, your life will end just like this one.” He sighed looking at the girl who lay lifeless on the ground and gestured to her. “Someone come clean up this mess.”

I wondered where she ended up: was she living her afterlife in peace or torment? Or was she in Tetharus?

I felt the hand on my back when I pulled out of the trance-like state I was in.

“We must go.”

Eros pushed me forward, forcing me to move my legs one after another. I could still feel the blood warm on my neck as I recalled what the girl said about me and my scent. She said that she couldn’tresistit. Was that what everyone could smell from me? Did I have a scent that attracted Eros or even Lachlan? I wouldn’t let these thoughts consume me, but they did lay waste in my mind and one day I would find out the answer.

Everything after this was a blur. I remember Eros picking me up in his arms. I remember the soft gusts of wind across my face making my hair tickle my neck. I remember being laid down in the bed and a warm washcloth being rubbed along my skin.

The following morning, a soft glow radiated throughout the bedroom and I had to blink a few times to allow myself time to adjust to the space I was in. When I glanced at the wall on the left, I saw the portrait of me. My eyes wandered over to the two glass doors that opened onto a small balcony that overlooked the creek and the large trees that I had learned were called Sequin trees. It was foggy out and much of the distant land wasn’t visible.

I stepped out of the bed with my feet hitting the soft ivory rug that warmed my toes as I cushioned them further into theground. Standing, I felt a little dizzy but it wasn’t something I couldn’t handle.

Walking into the bathroom, I was struck with the fact that I wasnotin the clothes I had been wearing last night, and the blood that once leaked out of my neck was now no longer there. I leaned in closer to the golden-framed mirror and saw the marks on my neck were healed with only light white marks signifying her successful attack on me. I sighed in relief but was startled to hear the door to the bedroom open.

Quickly I glanced at my clothes, they were a soft white cotton pajama set and I did not have a bralette on. But this man has seen me before, so I wasn't concerned in the slightest.

The few steps I took were steps I wished I could get back when I realized that Lachlan was standing inside my door frame looking straight at me. I saw his dark eyes wander down my shirt, focusing on my unholstered breasts on display.

It made me chuckle slightly and that’s when his gaze flew to mine, with a blank expression.

“Eros is expecting you for breakfast in ten minutes.Changeand be on time.”

I didn’t say anything, but I was not about to let Eros Vander tell me where and when I needed to be for breakfast. He forgot just how powerful I am, but maybe he needed a little reminder.

I hastily walked past Lachlan, shoulder-checking him on the way out. I could sense his panic as he started to follow behind me.

Chapter 23

“You can’t go to breakfast looking like that," Lachlan's voice was trailing after me with great concern. Concern that I didn't care about. I heard Lachlan's large gasps of air as if he was looking for words to say to me, but unfortunately for him, no words would stop me.

“He will be extremely disappointed if you arrive in this attire and not the ones that were laid out for you," Lachlan tried again.

This made me stop walking because he would be ‘disappointed’ in me. What a crock of shit. I turned on my heels and took a few strides to close the space between Lachlan and me. My pointer finger pressed into his chest and I looked into his dark eyes that were full of hatred.

“Let me tell you something,Lachlan.I couldn’t give two shits if he isdisappointedin me. Maybe you both have forgotten that I am one of the most powerful beings in this world. He does not scare me and I will not allow him to make decisions for me. Is that clear?”

I tilted my head towards him in question anticipating his response. He leaned in close to me, and I realized that he towered over me in height and stature, but that did nothing to me. He wouldn’t lay a finger on me.

“Maybeyouhave forgotten, he is the other most powerful being alive.” He paused, smiling at me and pulling back. “This should be fun.”

He stepped around me walking towards the kitchen. I was so mad I wanted to punch the wall, but instead, I covered my face with my hands and let out a very small scream.

After composing myself, I was able to finally walk into the kitchen where I saw Eros perched on the stools at the kitchen island. The island was made of black matte steel and a large chunk of Sequin covered the top. I saw his place setting with food and another place setting next to him which I assumed was mine.

When he noticed I entered the room, his eyes quickly trailed every part of me, stopping at my neck. As I got closer, his eyes wandered to my chest and that’s when I saw his demeanor change, and I couldn’t help but poke the bear.

“Hello,mate. How are you this lovely morning?” I questioned him with a smug look on my face.

He let out a frustrated sigh and turned to look at his food, taking a bite of the fruit in front of him. Not wanting to look at me.

“You did not follow my instructions, Clara.”

I smiled at him and leaned my left elbow on the counter, turning my upper body to face him. “I guess I just didn’t hear them well enough.”

---