Page 95 of Of Realms and Chaos

“Leave us and tell no one.” Padon’s words proved that he likely was an emperor because the female, who looked just as formidable as him, merely gave a shallow bow and left the room. “Hello, my love.”

“I am not your anything, Padon.” My scolding sounded far more passive than it should have, likely because I was so startled by how soft and cold and real the silk felt on my skin. Padon did not seem to mind my chastising, looking more pleased than he ever had before. “What is different about this time?”

My words came out in a whisper, but the creature heard me, his smile growing impossibly wider. That was when I noticed his eyes, they were not white anymore. They were dark, nearly black, but I could not make out the exact color.

He made his way to me, stopping at the bed, which was tall enough to reach his waist. Leaning down, he placed his hands on the mattress, causing my body to lean towards him as it dipped. I scoffed, trying to lean away, but Padon grabbed my chin and forced me to face him.

“Everything has changed, Asher.” Grip unforgiving, he reached up and slid his thumb over my bottom lip, those dark eyes tracking the movement. “I can feel you, my love. Can you feel me?”

That was when I realized that I could, in fact, feel him. Not in the same way as before, where everything had seemed oddly distant, but in a way that made my nerve endings light in warning. When Padon’s lips crashed onto mine, I was so startled by the genuine sensation of his cold flesh that I did not immediately move.

His fingers gripped my hair, tugging on the strands as his tongue attempted to forcefully part my lips. Horror filled me, and then I was shoving him off, my knee jabbing upwards to connect with his groin. Padon crumpled to the ground, hissing in pain as he went down. Scrambling away, I did not realize that I was still wearing my beaded gown until it was too late.

The quick and sharp movements caused the purple thread to snap, sending beads flying across the floor as the waist split in two. I slipped, feet tangling in the loose threads, and then I went flying off the end of a bed that was at least four feet high. My head hit first, smacking hard into the marble floor before my legs went sailing over, flipping my body.

For a moment, I laid there on my stomach in stunned silence. Confusion, surprise, and pain all mingled within me, leaving me no choice but to burst into a fit of laughter.

“You kneed me!” Padon’s rough voice was closer than I thought it would be, that earthy and nearly burning scent invading my senses once more. I continued to laugh, the sound slightly manic as I reached up and snagged the quilt to wrap around my body.

“You tried to shove your tongue down my throat, you pervert!” Catching my breath, I adjusted the quilt to conceal my exposed body and sat up fully. Padon was squatted down near me, his cheeks a bright blue and his elbows resting on his knees. Despite having clearly been hurt by my rejection just as much as my knee, his smile was genuine and full.

“You looked like you wanted me to,” he countered with a shrug.

My mouth fell open, all humor dying out. “In what world would I ever want that?”

We scrutinized one another as my words settled between us, gazes a mixture between my scowl and his smirk.

“An ideal one.” His voice sounded far too sincere to be even remotely nonchalant or joking. Which begged the question: Would he force me to help him create that world?

“Your version of ideal is my version of delusional. Let us agree not to visit there again.” Forcing my face to remain stony while my mind roared with building fury and fear, I stared the creature dead in the eyes. Stay calm, get information, and run. I could do that. “Speaking of worlds, I am in yours, right? Why did you bring me here?”

Not missing a beat, Padon stood and walked away, speaking to me over his shoulder. “One day in the future, we’ll look back on this fondly. Perhaps we’ll even tell our younglings.”

“We are never having younglings. Now, answer the question, you moron.” Calm. I was calm. What did Bellamy teach me? Be a pond? Yes, I was a pond, still and peaceful.

“Why wouldn’t I want you with me?” The arrogance of his tone as he grabbed a glass decanter and poured himself whisky sent me over an edge I was desperately trying to avoid. The imbecile had dropped stones in my pond, letting loose ripples of fury.

“You are a psychopath!” I screamed, standing so quickly that black dots blocked my vision. With unsteady feet, I stomped towards him.

“I’m simply a male in love.” Turning to face me, Padon let his eyes roam over my quilt-clad body. Stupid, evil, foul creature.

“Send me home, now!” Like a petulant youngling, I snatched his cup and threw it against the nearest wall, the glass shattering on the floor and the whisky splattering on the wall. My chest heaved, body shaking.

I was so, so tired. Exhausted, even. Physically, mentally, emotionally.

“Eh, I don’t want to.”

No, I was furious.

“Stella save me,” I muttered, walking away to the nearest set of double doors. I would find my own way out, then. Damn him to the Underworld for all I cared.

“Ah yes, those wonderful gods. You know, when you first arrived, you were projecting some interesting thoughts and memories. I distinctly recall a statue of a rather hideous god atop a throne, the ruler of flowers and decay or something like that. Truly an unimpressive lot. Rest assured, Stella has no power here. I, on the other hand, have all the power, my love. Perhaps you can pray to me instead.”

With a final growl of rage, I threw open the doors and stomped down the hallway. Maybe one day I would refrain from walking semi-nude through a castle that was not mine.

Chapter Thirty-One

Stassi

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