Page 117 of This Vicious Dream

“You haven’t told me.”

I feel my lower lip stick out and valiantly pull it back where it belongs. “Maybe I don’t want to talk about it.” My tone is sullen, but Calysian merely waits me out.

“I thought his power wasdoubt,” I say finally, opening my eyes. “But I’m not sure if that’s exactly what it was. It was like my thoughts weren’t my own any more. All I could think was that I wasn’t good enough, wasn’t lovable. I knew, in my bones that I was a bad person, that I deserved to be alone, and that the world would be better if I was gone.”

My eyes sting, and Calysian pulls me up his body, until his face is inches from mine. “You know that’s not true.”

I shrug. “I’m not sure if he used his power on you. He had that stupid stone, after all, so he probably didn’t need to.”

“I’m sorry. For leaving you.”

I attempt a smile. “You didn’t have a choice. Besides, I can look after myself.”

“You certainly proved that.”

“And then Asinia and Demos and Rythos arrived.”

He gives me a slow nod, but his eyes are cool. I can’t help but reach down and run my nails across his scalp. His hair is so dark it seems to swallow the light. And yet it’s so thick, the texture silky smooth. “What’s wrong?”

Calysian arches his head like a cat, chasing my fingers. “I don’t like how he looks at you.”

I blink at him. “Who?”

His eyes narrow, as if he thinks I’m being intentionally dense. “Rythos.”

“Rythos?” My voice is incredulous, and Calysian scowls.

“You have a history with him.”

“We were briefly imprisoned together. Our history mostly consists of bickering and ignoring each other with the occasional moment of cooperation.”

Calysian’s scowl deepens, and my mouth twitches.

Yes, that sounds not unlikeourrelationship at times. But it’s different. With Calysian, our arguments are heated, often dripping with subtext, and usually leading to fantasies about strangling him even as I press my lips to his.

“Rythos is a friend,” I say carefully, and Calysian sneers at me. His expression is sullen, but his eyes flicker with what looks almost like…bewilderment.

My heart twists. Jealousy is clearly a new emotion for him, and one he’s obviously finding difficult to deal with. Something thrills within me at the knowledge that Calysian has no real experience wrestling with this kind of possessive need. Until now.

“You don’t need to worry about Rythos,” I murmur.

When Calysian continues to scowl, I run my finger across his forehead, attempting to stroke away his dark expression. He catches my hand in his, his eyes harden. “Tell me you don’t want him.”

My heart thuds. “I don’t want him.”

“Tell me you want me.”

“I want you.”

Our mouths meet, and he rolls until I’m on my back, his huge body caging mine as he seems to breathe me in. I’m aware of his strength and the frustration coiled within him at this moment. And yet all I can think about is how good his body feels against mine, and how solid andrealhe feels as I arch my hips, grinding against him.

“The others…” my words are muffled against his lips and he lifts his head with a frown, listening.

“They’re seeing to the horses. Now tell me you want me again.”

This man always wants so much of me. “Do you truly think this will soothe your jealousy?”

He buries his hand in my hair, holding me still for him. “It will help.”

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