Chapter 26 #2
I stare him down, face stone cold, threat lining my next words. “Mikael betrayed me, Erik, and I don’t take that lightly. It’s been dealt with. As will anyone who does the same.”
“Having that filth share your home isn’t dealing with it.” Erik stands, stabbing the dagger into the solid oak of my desk.
He leans forward, mirroring my movement, stopping inches from my face. I hold my ground, my eyes roaming the planes of his face, searching for the half-truth.
We just got back—how would he know so quickly? If there are people in my city willing to sell me out for coin, or other reasons, I will find them.
He cannot have the upper hand. I’d pay him off, but if I did that, he would know without a doubt that I have something to hide. This is exactly why being together won’t work.
With either of them.
Erik can be a real pain in my ass and, well, I never even considered this new development with Mikael. It’s just too complicated.
I push a finger into his chest. “I’m not with anyone else.”
“I don’t like to share.” Erik grabs my hand and plants a kiss on the top of it.
“As I said, it’s been dealt with. You have nothing to worry about.” I lean forward, brushing my lips against his, then pull back as he goes in for a kiss.
I knew it.
I walk around the desk to the door, opening it for him.
Erik’s here to assure himself what he thinks he’s claimed remains his. Once I make sure I don’t die, I’ll be cutting ties with him.
Shadows fan out around me, pushing the door shut and pinning me against it as he struts over and leans down. “You are so hot when you take charge.”
Take advantage of this opportunity; you need him to think nothing is amiss.
Tilting my head, I look into his eyes and give him a seductive smile. My hands move up his chest, over the rough leather of his jacket, and grip the collar. Twisting us around, I pin him instead, pressing my body against his.
I pull his head down and crush my lips to his, running my tongue against the seam of his mouth. His lips part, and I kiss him passionately; commanding and controlling our kiss.
Erik pulls me up, using shadows to guide my legs around his waist as he holds on to my ass.
Normally, I’d fall right into this game we like to play with each other.
Challenging each other. Even though this is a ploy, part of me still wants to enjoy this because the result of these encounters is always satisfying.
A wave of revulsion spreads through me from the bond. I’m taken aback by the feeling because it’s been a long time since I’ve had an active bond. I’m unsure if it’s coming from me or Mikael. It’s mixed with what’s going on with Erik, and I’m unable to decipher it at the moment.
I pull away from the kiss and hop down from his grip. “I just got back from a long day’s ride and have business to attend to.”
“That’s never stopped you before,” Erik says, reaching for my hand.
“Well, the crown doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” I open the door again and motion for him to follow me.
Erik’s shadows tease all the places he knows I like. He’s trying to coax me back to what I started as he trails behind me on our way out of the building.
I lock the door behind us and clear my throat. “I’ll contact you when I’m done, and we won’t be interrupted next time.”
“You’d better.” He slaps my ass and takes off down the street.
I hope that was enough for him to forget about telling my father, that he believed me. How could I ever have let myself think he was a good choice? It’s now clear that I had lost myself even more than I realized. I let out a sigh and head back in the direction of my house.
The city looks different at night, with a mind unaffected by alcohol. I notice small details on the buildings that I had forgotten existed, like the flowers etched into the frieze above the floral shop, and the light from the hanging lanterns along my walk seem sharper.
It doesn’t take me long to get home, and when I get inside, I go straight to the table and pile food onto a plate. I sit next to Peylin, who’s sitting across from Mikael.
“So, how’d it go?” Peylin asks through a mouth full of food.
“He threatened to report seeing Mikael to my father and the king.” The words are sharp and icy, not directed at them but at the frustration of failing to keep his presence in Eidrfall a secret. I suppose it would have eventually come out, as we’ve had to travel across the country.
Peylin curses before shoveling another bite into her mouth. I share the same sentiment, and purse my lips before taking a bite of food. Mikael’s gaze hasn’t left me since I walked in. His brows are pulled together in a look I can’t quite place.
“I handled it. I don’t think he’ll do it.” I tell them both.
“I can smell him on you.” Mikael’s fists clench his utensils so hard his knuckles go white. “Felt you for a moment. Did you fuck him?”
“You have no right to be so jealous,” I snap. “Just because you showed up trying to save me doesn’t mean I’m still yours.”
“You are insufferable.” Mikael’s gray eyes are hungry and possessive. “You’ll always be mine, until my dying breath.”
“I’d rather let Erik think I’m his than have him report us—you. It’s better than having you dragged out of Varithen and bled dry.”
“I should have killed him in the tavern.” Mikael seethes. “If he ever lays a hand on you again…”
And he called me insufferable.
I cut him off. “We don’t need to waste time on someone who means nothing. We need to figure out this next riddle.”
I look down at my arm, at the new ink staining my skin.