Chapter 13
Magic shifts in the room. A subtle breath whispers past my lips, but I dare not move from where I pretend to be asleep on the bed.
The door clicks open and the steady rhythm of Valen’s footsteps is unmistakable.
He pauses for a second, and an unidentifiable soft clicking sounds before he approaches the bed.
Anticipation curls within me, bringing a wave of languid heat that nearly has my thighs flexing.
The footsteps stop at the foot of my bed.
What I wouldn’t give to peek at him. The blankets are barely covering me, and I chose the sheerest chemise in the dresser to pair with a blue silk corset.
It was a struggle to remember how to lace up the back and I had to use magic in the end, but Valen always loved to unclasp the steel busks while kissing me.
I’d carefully placed my hands above my head on the pillow to make my nipples peek over the top of the corset, the sheerness of the chemise’s lace teasing them.
Unable to resist any longer, my eyes flutter open.
He’s watching me from beside the bed with an unspoken question hidden within his gaze, one that he doesn’t voice, but I read clearly.
I smile softly in response. Yes, I do remember the last time I wore this particular lingerie set.
Shimmying into it and magically adjusting it to fit my older body was like feeling his hands as they slid over my skin all over again.
It was our last time together, and it was beautiful. Every time was beautiful, but I chose this color because it matched the engagement ring he gave me.
Slowly, I slide up on my elbows. “Valen?”
His eyes close briefly, his jaw tight. When they open, the ice is back in place. “We need to talk.”
I nod and point to the armchair across the room, where I strategically placed my matching silk robe. “Do you mind?”
He could use his magic, but instead, Valen crosses the room and collects the robe.
It’s a challenge to hide my cat-like smile as I slide to the edge of the bed.
He turns, his cold gaze sliding up and down my form when I uncurl to standing.
It’s subtle, but I can see the signs of my plan working on his usually implacable mask.
There is a war that wages within him, his center tipped off balance, and he sways slightly.
He hesitates, his jaw tightening in resolve before he dares to approach me.
The robe is held out like it’s a shield between us.
I accept the offer, my smile slow and voice husky with false sleep. “Thank you.”
His gaze falls to the bed beside me. “You’re welcome.”
I take my time pulling on the robe. “I hope you don’t mind that I took advantage of the clothes in here.”
He steps back. “Of course not. They were once yours.”
I let the moment hang while I pull the ends closed. The sash tightens around my middle, accentuating the corset’s curves there. “Did you find anything in your search, or is this a…” My eyes dance playfully. “Social visit?”
The corner of his lip twitches. He nods towards the armchairs. “Come sit with me.”
On the table between the chairs is a small tray with a carafe of coffee and two cups. He must’ve brought it in with him, which explains his pause earlier. I take my seat, helping myself to the caffeine eagerly. The porcelain is preheated. Such class. I pour a hearty amount of cream.
Valen watches me, his gaze far.
I pause. “What?”
“You’re taking cream now.” He slides into a more alert position on the chair, his back straight. The coffee steams as he pours his own.
I blow lightly to cool my cup. “I learned life is too short not to enjoy the pleasures it has to offer.”
He takes a hearty sip of his black coffee and his smirk turns playful. “Is that so? What a scandalous new life. Cream, black-market dealings… What will you do next?”
“I learned how to drive a car.”
He laughs, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it until now. The ice is gone from his gaze, his smile bright and genuine. “Oh, I’m sure the population in Havenport dipped as a result.”
I return his smile. “I’ll have you know, I’m quite skilled at it.” Lies. Lucas swears he aged a decade that day. A giggle escapes and I cock a playful brow at the small table between us. “No breakfast? Such poor service. Your host skills are lacking.”
“My apologies. Please don’t tell my mother about the lapse of decorum.”
“Ah, yes. The dreaded Rossana review. Don’t worry, I won’t subject you to such a thing.
I might be a vicious criminal, but even I have my limits.
” What I wouldn’t give for a plate of the famous Bauer ginger scones, not because I feel hungry, but for the enjoyment of the treat.
They’re the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
Wait—I quickly count the hours since I ate.
Fuck, I should be hungry, but there’s nothing.
Not even thirst. I add more cream until my coffee is beige, with the promise that I’ll ask for food after my plan is completed.
I can’t risk my power reserves over something so trivial as forgetting to eat at a time like this.
I nearly scald myself from the massive gulp.
Hunger and thirst might be absent, but my other bodily desires are completely unharmed by the corruption symptoms. I can’t take my eyes off Valen.
The amount of desire I still have for this man is staggering.
Even exhausted, he sits with an elegant grace that few could ever hope for.
My eyes travel up his slacks to his shirt, lingering on the open collar, where his throat dips so perfectly.
I want nothing more than to lick along it, my lips closing around one of the framing tendons.
My gaze returns to his beautiful face and our eyes lock.
Time slows to a moment of breaths and I almost cross the space to fall into his arms, plan be damned.
But Lucas.
I swallow another sip. As subtly as I can, I take a calming breath before shifting my expression to one of concern. “Were you in the hidden library this whole time?”
Valen doesn’t answer immediately. The silence spikes my anxiety, and it’s made worse by his assessment of me over the rim of his cup. “I was. And I discovered where your amulet is.”
The world spins. My eyelids flutter, breath huffing out. It’s an effort not to slump in my chair or openly weep. “And?”
Valen’s smirk transforms his face and all the staggering relief vanishes with the dropping of my stomach. This shift takes all the softness from him and now I’m facing a devil.
A little nagging thought suggests that if I hadn’t stolen the unicorn hair from him, then he might’ve been more willing to simply give me the amulet, but I shove it viciously aside.
I lean on the chair’s arm, my opposite shoulder dropping. The robe slips partially down my arm. “What do you want, Valen?”
“That is the question, isn’t it?” His gaze lingers on my exposed collarbone and neck, where the mark he left glows in the firelight.
But instead of coming closer and falling for my trap, he leans back in his chair.
“In return for my assistance in retrieving it, and for my silence, I want you to come back.”
Laughter explodes from me before I can stop it. I lean away and cover my mouth to muffle the sound. “That’s all? Abandon my life and everything I’ve built and come back. Why don’t I rope the moon while I’m at it?” I shake my head. “Come back. Insanity.”
He sits, perfectly calm, a smug tilt to his smile.
I pause. “You’re serious?”
“Deadly.”
A scoff comes unbidden. “Be reasonable, Valen. That’s hardly a fair trade.”
“I’m being very reasonable, seeing as I have your magician locked away.”
Rage burns my face. I almost bolt to my feet, but force myself to stay seated. Taking covert breaths while in a corset is much harder than I remembered, but I must find a way to remain calm and keep my composure. Losing this game is not an option.
My eyes narrow. “Valen, I’m dead if I return to the city without that amulet.”
“I’m unsurprised. Only a desperate fool would steal from my family and here you are doing it twice. Well, attempting to,” he corrects with an arrogant smile.
I glare. “How long are you going to hold that over me?”
“For however long I wish, my dear. I’m not the thief here.” He takes another careful sip. His eyes glint. He’s confident. His body relaxed, his hand resting on his knee.
Of course, he would use this to force me back to the Order. It was his original motivation for seeking me out. His father gave him a task, and Valen isn’t one to fail. I chew on my tongue furiously. “How about a counteroffer?”
“I doubt you have anything that could sway me from this, but you are free to try.”
My stress surges. I need to get him to concede quickly.
Corruption is advancing faster than I anticipated and I’m becoming slower and slower to recognize it.
Like a slip into insanity, the farther I fall, the less I’ll notice, until I’m so far gone that I am more rotting creature than weaver.
And then there are my threads to worry about.
At the mere thought, pain flares down my chest, stealing my breath and covering me in a cold sweat.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
My heart races, my breathing threatening to speed. I close my eyes and try to force a slow breath in and out, but it’s no use. The damn corset is too tight. “If you assist me and keep my secret…” A wave of sickness surges up my throat. “Then I’ll agree to hear Vincentius out.”
Valen clicks his tongue. “Tempting… but no.”
My eyes snap open to scowl at his satisfied smirk. My seduction isn’t working like I hoped and Valen knows he has me right where he wants me. What I need is to switch tactics and seize control. I have nothing over him and that’s going to make negotiations very difficult.
I need him to want to help me more than he wants to obey his father.