Page 136 of Severed Heir

Closer. I needed to get closer.

“You’ve been poisoned with nightmare venom, Severyn,” he said, voice low. “You don’t want me. Not really.”

I shuddered. “Please,” I whispered. “I feel horrible about how everything went down.”

He let out a quiet scoff, amusement curling at the edges of his voice. “Careful, Sev. You’ve got fuck-me eyes.”

“No, I don’t,” I said.

He tilted his head. “The eyes never lie.” Then he leaned back, his shirt hanging open just enough to expose his chest. “But you do. You lie all you want, Sev, but I know you. I know your mind better than you do.”

His smile turned smug. “And I won’t tell anyone that you still want me.”

“I don’t.”

He knew exactly how to knock me off balance. I stood abruptly. “It’s late.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I nearly sprinted back to the infirmary. Whatever Damien was hiding, I’d find out. Eventually, but not tonight.

But the second I stepped into the room, I froze.

The cot I’d been sleeping in had three daggers pierced straight through the pillow, driven clean through where my head should’ve been.

Someone had tried to kill me. And deep down, I already knew who it was. Rok.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Archer stormed in at the first crack of dawn, gaze locking onto the blades buried in my pillow. “What happened?” he demanded.

“Someone wants me dead,” I said flatly, motioning to the shredded pillow behind me.

“You should’ve come to my room.”

I rolled my eyes. “And let everyone talk? An heir sleeping in her leader’s room is quite scandalous.”

He exhaled, slow and tight. “It’s easier this way.”

“For who?”

His gaze faltered. “I won’t let my reckless choices become your burden.”

My voice cracked. “Am I just a desire to you?”

The words slipped out too easily, and I hated how much I meant them. Maybe Damien had gotten to me more than I realized.

A knock rattled the door, but Archer slammed his palm against it, barring whoever waited outside. Then he looked down at me.

“Is that what you really think?”

I lifted my chin. “Yes. And I don’t want this.”

His gaze dropped to my lips, then lowered slowly. “I think you like being my desire,” he said.

I stepped closer, rising to meet his stare. “You’re wrong.”

He didn’t blink. “Your cheeks are flushed.” Then slowly, he moved his hand down the bodice of my gown, thumb circling over my nipple. “And I would bet you are soaked from the thoughts of me wanting to take you against this damn door.”

“Wrong again.”

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