Page 29 of Tempt

Speaking of that knave, Malice looms in the archway, free of his own baggage. He shoves one leather shoulder against the trim. “So this is where you’ll get undressed, eh?”

“Absolutely,” she answers with feigned sweetness. “Right after my arrow amputates your prick.”

“Ouch. Christ, that’s grotesque.”

“Go to bed, Malice.”

Instead of taking the hint, he watches her through cindered irises.

Does he sleep naked?

Wonder stiffens, trashing the visual before it becomes implanted in her mind and keeps her awake, with her heels pushing into the blankets. Besides, he just wants attention.

She holds out her upturned palm, wiggling her fingers. “We’ve arrived. Hand over my corsage.”

He wiggles his talons in mock farewell. “I said I’d give it to you when we got here, but I never gave an exact date.”

“What does that imply?”

“I don’t know, but it sounds clever.”

“I can break into your room and take collateral, too. Try me.”

Because she isn’t bluffing, those eyes narrow to slits. “I’ll never stop trying you. Not until you break.”

“You’ll be trying for a very long time.”

“It’s lucky that we live forever, then. Sweet dreams, Wildflower.”

When he’s gone, Wonder thrusts the door closed and drops onto the bed. Yes, she wants her corsage back. And yes, she’ll take it by force if she must. But that’s a plan for tomorrow, among a million plans.

Malice might have his own agenda for coming here, his own answers to seek. That aside, this crusade to overthrow the Court is in his favor. He hasn’t said so, but he’s going to help her—in as much as he’ll try to use her for his own purpose. Otherwise, this mutual abduction is void.

And he’ll keep her corsage hostage until then.

What he hasn’t grasped—or perhaps what he’s counting on—is her rebellion. If he’s plotting to bait and harass her, she’ll bait and harass him right back.

Slipping between the gauzy sheets, Wonder inhales the fresh linens. Since slumber will come easier with a stream of meditation, she empties her mind until the world recedes into blackness. And for the first time, she’s not plagued by his wails.

Somehow, she’s certain: He won’t have a nightmare tonight.

***

At dawn, Wonder knocks on his door. Then she knocks harder, pretending it’s his skull.

Receiving no answer, she hisses. The remnant keepers have long since departed the Archives, because she’d witnessed them from her window as they’d glided into the forest, their robes blending into the mesh. Hence, she’s allowed to make noise and haste.

She races to the Hollow Chamber, where she finds Malice reclining at a compact desk just inside the entrance, an open book spread across his lap. He props his feet on the tabletop, crossing them at the ankles while canting his head at her.

“Tardy on your first day?” he goads. “Overslept? Dog ate your homework?”

“We were supposed to meet outside the dorms,” she gripes.

How dare he leave without her. How dare he create an arbitrary schedule, act like some prized pupil, and then admonish her about tardiness.

How dare he beat her to it!

To cool her heels, Wonder weaves her hair into a tousled side braid. Meanwhile, Malice scrapes through his mussed waves. That’s all it takes for them to peter out and trail off into silence.

---