Page 64 of Wild Flame

“No!” I cried, pulling the knot back tight. “I’m—uh—I’m cold.”

Malik’s brow pinched in confusion, and he looked skeptical. His big hand came up to stroke my cheek as I glanced away, cheeks burning with the lie.

But once again, he surprised me. “All right, siren, the robe stays on.”

Deciding not to push my luck, I climbed into bed and moved as far from him and close to the edge as possible.

I should have known I wouldn’t get away with it.

He wrapped his ridiculously huge arm around me—it really was unfairly large—pulling my back to his bare chest. I was instantly very conscious of the fact that only a thin layer of fabric now separated my ugly scars from his perfect skin. I flinched and tried to move away, but he just held me tighter.

“Sleep,isholet,” he commanded. And no doubt taking my sudden stiffness for something that it wasn’t, he assured, “Nothing will happen between us until you desire it. Though I am eager to show you all the pleasures that can be had between a man and a woman, I will wait until you are ready.”

“You’ll be waiting a long time,” I snapped, glaring into the darkness surrounding us.

A deep chuckle rumbled in my ear, and I also felt it against my back. The sensation was wholly unsettling and decidedlynotpleasing.

“Deny this all you want, siren, if that is what you need to do,” he whispered in my ear. “But I will win you over, eventually. And the battle will be glorious until I do.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Iwoke to the feeling of sunlight on my skin and the sensation of being uncomfortably warm. The scent of something deep and floral hit my nose. I cracked open an eye, and for a moment I was disoriented.

Where . . .?

Then the events of last night came crashing back and I sat bolt upright, glancing around. I was in the king’s chambers—Malik’s chambers. Malik’sbed.

Our bed, a stray thought intruded.This is your room now, too.Why did the thought both simultaneously thrill and terrify me? Mostly terrify.

Looking over to the rumpled, empty sheets beside me, I tried not to think of how nice it had been to be held by him the night before. My eyes fell on a reddish-orange flower that rested on the edge of my pillow. The delicately pointed petals of the bloom had a shock of violet bleeding from the very center and blending with the brighter colors. It was dramatically beautiful and unique. I had never seen its like before. I brought it to my nose and its light sweet scent was incredibly pleasing.

Had Malik . . . left this for me? Warmth softened my heart at the gift.

“Malik?” I called, resting the flower in my lap.

No answer. He must have already left for the day. I sighed, not sure how to feel about the pang of disappointment mixed with relief that I felt.

There was a knock at the chamber door. “My lady?” came Hilde’s brusque voice. My maids must have been waiting to hear me stir.

“Enter,” I called.

Seconds later, the door opened, and my two maids walked in. Hilde strode in carrying a breakfast tray, followed by Astrid, who couldn’t quite keep her curious eyes from shooting to me on the bed, and then around the suite.

“Good morning, my lady.” She curtsied. I could tell she was dying to inquire about last night, but of course she wouldn’t.

“Stop doddering, girl, and go open the curtains,” Hilde commanded, as she set the tray on the bedside table.

Astrid blushed and quickly did as she was told.

Hilde, having seen that I was still in my robe, directed several male servants carrying pitchers of water into the washroom for my bath.

Once my bath was filled and they left, closing the door behind them, I stood from the bed and removed the robe. I felt instantly better as the slight breeze touched my skin through the sheer fabric of the nightdress, courtesy of the now open terrace doors that led to the private courtyard beyond.

Then Hilde started in as I knew she would. “I can’t believe you let this happen. Your mother and father will be hearing about this, rest assured. I sent a bird last night. They will—”

“They already know,” I said, silencing her tirade. “Or, at least, my father does. He arranged the whole thing with Malik.”

“Well, of course they already knew,” she replied. “I meant about the fact that you now share a chamber and a bed with His Majesty before you are even married. It is improper. Such a thing would never be allowed in Halmar. The dishonor—”

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