Page 129 of This Vicious Dream

Madinia

We spend the next few hours taking narrow trails, staying far from the main roads where Vicana’s regiments are likely patrolling.

One of Calysian’s strong arms encircles my waist, the other holding Fox’s reins. His hard chest is pressed against my back, his warm breath feathering against my neck, his body surrounding mine…

I shift in the saddle, and he tightens his grip.

“Are you in pain?”

“No.” I’m glad I’m facing forward, so he can’t see the heat sweeping across my skin.

He leans even closer, clearly sensing my arousal. “Ah, beautiful woman. Even after your betrayal, I would never deny youthat.” His voice is a low croon, thick with amusement, and I tense. Fox tosses his head warningly, and Calysian chuckles.

My jaw aches, and I force myself to unclench it. “I apologized for what happened with Rythos.”

He leans his chin on my shoulder. “Well, then, all is forgiven.”

Lies. I know him, and I know how much he values vengeance. It’s one of the few things we have in common. And even if hedoesforgive me, he will never forget.

Hissing, I shrug him off. “Tell me you wouldn’t have done the same if you were me.”

Calysian is quiet as he considers my words. “Perhaps I would have,” he concedes. He leans close once more, burying his nose in my hair and inhaling.

“Are you sniffing me?”

“You smell good.”

“I smell like dust.”

“Hmmm. And woman.”

“You know, your moods are beginning to become rather…unstable.”

His teeth sink lightly into my neck and I shiver.

He smiles against my skin. “You have an annoying tendency towards near-death experiences. I find them unsettling.”

Ah. So watching me hurtle towards that chasm had encouraged him to move past my betrayal. I’m not sure if I’m pleased or displeased by this.

“And then there’s the other reason.”

“The other reason?”

“When you’ve lived as long as I have, you notice patterns. You didn’t like it when I forced you to admit you wanted me. When you realized you weremine. So you lashed out. Rythos’s treachery was a convenient tool for you.”

I scowl over my shoulder at him, and he shakes his head with mock disappointment. “So predictable.”

“I will hurt you.”

Calysian laughs. “For telling the truth? Besides,” he continues. “You’re a cold, calculating woman with a deep ruthless streak. I’ve always known that about you. And I like it.”

“Oh, do you?” I grit out.

He ignores my sarcastic tone. “I do. Because despite your frigid exterior and your ice-cold heart, you still melt for me.” He leans close again, nipping at my ear, and heat pools low in my belly.

Impulses war within me. I want to snap at him. I also want to turn my head, bury my hand in his hair, and guide his mouth to mine.

Thankfully, Calysian is already turning Fox off the trail, while Hope plods along behind us. “We’ll camp here tonight.”

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