Chapter 24 Amaryllis
AMARYLLIS
The bed I’m tucked up in creaks as I roll over. I’m back at Kasimir’s townhouse, in his spare bedroom, shivering in the dark. Alone.
There are at least five blankets on top of me, and Meera’s dressed me in her warmest gown, but an icy cold grips my bones. It feels like I’ve just stepped out of a hot bath on a harsh winter morning.
I can’t stop shaking.
When I came to, I was in the parlour with Meera. She forced me to drink awful tea that burned my throat. At first, I tried to push it away, but when she said it would help with the uneasiness in my stomach, I downed it in a heartbeat.
While wrapping me up in blankets, she explained that I’d been drugged and that, while I somehow managed to get the letter, Kasimir had to rescue me from Andrick.
I remember none of this, of course. Only the faint taste of berries on my tongue, a young woman slapping me on the rear telling me to ‘go get ‘em’ and then there’s something else – something much more forbidden.
It scares the cold away if I think about it too hard.
I haven’t seen Kasimir since the mission. Meera said he was already in bed, but I’m certain he’s just furious at me. Not only did I get myself drugged, but he had to step in and save the day again. If I wasn’t so unbearably cold I’d be on my way back to the palace, hanging my head in shame.
For once, can I not be so… pathetic!
Huffing, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and wrap the thickest blanket around my shoulders. I know I’m not actually cold. Meera told me it’s just a side effect of the bliss.
Still, there’s no fireplace in this room, and I’m determined to go and sit in front of one.
Even if it’s just to watch something burn.
My door creaks softly as I push it open. There’s a fireplace in the parlour that was lit before. If I can just find some more logs, I’m sure I can get it going again. How hard can it be?
“Where do you think you’re going?”
My feet pause on the carpet. Kasimir’s door is open, and he’s leaning against the frame, dressed in a loose black sleepshirt and breeches.
His dark hair is mussed from sleep, and for some reason, the cold feeling in my chest vanishes when our eyes meet – but it swiftly returns as his gaze hardens upon me.
Of course he’s angry.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” he asks warily.
Gnawing my lip, I pull my blanket closer. “Sorry, I was just—”
“Are you cold?” Worry tugs at his brow. Pushing away from the door, he stands in front of me. “You’re shivering.”
I wrap my arms around myself. “Yes, but Meera said it’s just the bliss leaving my system.” Lowering my chin, I shiver again, almost biting my tongue this time. “I’m fine really. I was just going to sit by a fire or something.”
“There’s a fireplace in my room,” he says gruffly. “Come in. I’ll light it for you.”
My stomach dips. “Are you sure? It’s late and I don’t want to keep you up.”
“It’s fine.”
I want to say more, but he’s already walking back into his room, leaving the door open for me to follow.
I know I shouldn’t go in there. Out here is safe, albeit cold, and there’s a fireplace downstairs – maybe I should just wake Meera instead. But then I shake my head, swallowing down the nervous flutters in my stomach.
Kasimir is safe. I’m being ridiculous.
Somehow the Scorpion’s bedchamber is even cosier than I remember. Moonlight spills over his slept-in sheets, soft and silver, casting a pale glow over the floor. Little candles flicker away on the dresser, lighting up Kasimir’s back as he stoops over the fireplace.
“I should’ve checked on you sooner.” He stokes the fire as I shut the door behind me. “But Meera was adamant you be left alone. She’s dealt with blissed-up girls quite a few times now. I thought it would be best to just let her do her thing.”
He rises to his full height, the crackling flames now strong enough to make the room glow. I feel the difference almost immediately, and I step closer to the fire, smiling as the warmth embraces me.
“How much of the mission do you remember?”
Suddenly, it’s like my skin is burning. “Oh, um, not much,” I say, keeping my eyes on the flames. “My head’s still a foggy mess.” I laugh lightly.
“Hmm,” Kaz murmurs.
Over the sound of the flames, I hear him move towards an armchair and sink into it. When I look over my shoulder, he’s staring at me with darkened eyes, his trailing gaze leaving more heat than the fire.
“Come here, Ruby,” he orders.
“What?” My breath stutters.
He adjusts in his seat, letting his arms fall over the armrests. “You’re shivering. Clearly the fire isn’t enough, so let me help you.”
I shake my head. But then, as if on cue, I shiver again.
“Come here, Amaryllis.” He leans forward, jaw tensing. “I’m not going to tell you again.”
My stomach flips. Before I can stop myself, I pad over to where he’s sitting.
“There’s my good girl.” He smirks, taking my wrist and pulling me closer.
With a gasp, I collapse onto his lap, my knees landing either side of his hips as his arms hug me to his chest. Straightaway, I feel so warm.
“You’re freezing,” he breathes into my ear. “You should sleep in here for the night. It’s much warmer than the spare room.”
It definitely is. Even as the blanket slips off my shoulders, I feel nothing but heat wherever my body touches his. But still, this is wrong. Isn’t it? I shouldn’t have even left the palace, let alone be considering spending the night in the same room as a man.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” I draw back. “Maybe I should go to my room.”
“Wait.” Kaz catches my wrists, sending my heart into a fluttering mess. Slowly, he lifts one of his hands to catch my chin. “Why are you so afraid of me?” He tilts his head.
“I’m not afraid of you.” I try to reply in a strong voice, but it comes out as more of a whisper.
Kasimir narrows his eyes, then asks smoothly, “Was it because I fucked you in the whorehouse?”
“What?” A fierce blush burns up my neck.
“We did not… Whatever you did to me in that private room was devious, and if my father ever found out, he’d almost certainly have us both executed.
But it was not… fucking,” I hiss. Even if it did feel absolutely amazing.
“Because I’m fairly sure that would require us both to be undressed, and… ”
My voice trails off as I notice Kaz’s sly grin.
“So you do remember?” he muses.
Oh no.
“Of course not!” I blurt. “Well, maybe a little bit, but—” A squeak flies from my lips as Kasimir’s hands fall to my backside and he squeezes firmly.
“Take off your gown, Ruby.”
I shudder. “What?”
“You heard me.” One of his hands trails up my spine, teasing my lower back. “Take. Off. Your. Gown.”
“I-I can’t do that.” My breasts feel heavy beneath my bodice. It’s not a tight dress, but with Kasimir looking at me like that, it feels like I’m wrapped in wool.
“I’ll give you two choices, Princess,” he growls, his green eyes darkening. “You take off that gown and show me that pretty body of yours again, or…” – he pauses, removing his hands as he leans back in the chair – “I’ll carry you to my bed and find somewhere else to sleep.”
His words catch me off guard. “You’d just leave me in here? Alone?”
“I’m not going to force you to do anything.” He rolls his shoulders. “I might be a monster, but I’m not that kind of evil.”
Warmth builds inside me, melting away my fear, until I find myself desperate to pull on the laces of my bodice.
“You’ll stop if I ask you to?” What am I doing? This is so wrong.
Kaz nods slowly. “But be careful, Amaryllis. I don’t like to share.” His voice rumbles through me. “If you give yourself to me, I won’t ever give you back. No matter how much you hate me. Or how much you beg. You’ll be mine until the demons of hell drag me down with them. Do you understand?”
Reaching for my corset lacing, I nod.
“Say that you understand,” he grumbles. “It’s very important that you realise just what you’re getting into here. I won’t let you go after this, Amaryllis. I can’t.” His gaze locks onto mine.
“I understand.”
“Good,” he purrs. His grip around my waist tightens.
Blood rushes to my ears. “I-I haven’t ever done this before… So I don’t really know what I’m—” A finger presses my lips shut before I can utter another word.
“Allow me.” Kaz flicks a blade out from his sleeve and slices through my laces.
I gasp as the top of my gown falls away.
His gaze pours over my bare chest. I feel so exposed. I almost wrap my arms around myself until the hunger in his voice makes me freeze.
“So fucking beautiful.” His hands squeeze the flesh of my waist. Before I can reply, he scoops me up by my backside. “And all fucking mine.”
I yelp as he carries me towards the bed. “Kasimir!”
“Don’t be afraid, Princess,” he murmurs, cradling me. “I’ll be gentle. The first time.” His green eyes sparkle.
“I’m scared it will hurt,” I whisper. “My maids said it would. They told me it’s only meant to be nice for the men.”
Kaz’s brow furrowed. “Then your maids have terrible lovers.” Gently he lowers me onto my feet beside his bed as my gown slips to my ankles. “It won’t hurt, Ruby. I promise you that. But if it does, then you tell me and I’ll stop. Immediately.”
My weak knees paired with the throbbing between my thighs makes it hard to stay standing. “You promise?”
“Of course,” he replies genuinely. Then his gaze drops to my breasts, my belly, and the short bloomers that hug my hips. A smile twitches over his jaw as he drags his gaze upwards. “As long as you behave for me, Ruby, then you have nothing to worry about.”
“Behave?” My voice wobbles.
He nods, stepping close enough to whisper into my ear. “Take off your bloomers for me, and sit on the bed.”
My stomach flips. Wordlessly, I slip my undergarments down my legs and kick everything to the side, while Kasimir just stares at me as if I’m a glass of summer wine and he hasn’t drank in days.
“Now sit.” He points to the edge of the bed.
I obey, my backside bare on the bedsheets as I sit down, and all the warmth rushing between my thighs.