Page 119 of The Call of Crimson
His arms wrap around me without hesitation, holding me tightly, tenderly. “Tell me what’s wrong,” he murmurs against my hair.
“The queen…” I choke on the words. “She’s insisting there be a witness for the consummation with Ayden,” I explain, refusing to move from where I’m buried against his chest.
His whole body stiffens, his hold tightening almost painfully around me.
“That’s an outdated tradition,” he says flatly, though fury vibrates under every word.
“It gets worse,” I whisper.
He pulls back just enough to tip my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “How so?”
“She suggested you,” I say softly. “She wants you to be the witness.”
For a heartbeat, there’s only silence. Then a low, lethal growl rips from his throat.
“Like hell,” he snarls. “I would sooner kill the male that tries to fuck you in front of me.”
“You can’t say that, Aurelius,” I whisper urgently. “That’s treason.”
He grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger, the crimson in his irises flaring brightly.
“I don’t give a fuck, Princess,” he says lowly. “I will gladly spill blood for you.”
I try to pull away, desperate for space, but he doesn't let me go. His hands tighten around me like a cage.
“Aurelius,” I say, pleading, “no one can take me from you. I’m not yours anymore.”
I was growing tired of having this conversation with him.
He stares at me, reading the truth I can’t bear to voice. He sees it,feelsit, and the smug grin that curves his lips tells me he’s won something, even if he’s lost everything else.
“Then why,” he breathes, low and dangerous, “is it still my arms you run to, hm?”
Because you’re the only piece of home I have left.
But I don’t dare voice that.
I don’t need to, though. He reads it all over my face, a smug grin curling his lips.
“Oh, there you are, Aurelius,” Charlie’s saccharine voice cuts through the charged silence.
We both jump apart, springing to opposite sides of the hall.
Aurelius recovers first. “Were you looking for me?” he asks coolly.
Charlie steps closer, placing a hand on his chest. “I was, actually.”
He calmly lifts her hand from his body and lets it fall. “What can I do for you?”
“I assume Breyla told you about the consummation?”
I look away, refusing to meet either of their eyes as I bite back my emotions.
“She did,” Aurelius replies dryly.
“Well, the queen would like for you to be comfortable,” Charlie says, grinning wickedly. “She’s arranged for a special chair to be delivered. You’ll have a perfect view, of course.”
She laughs, as if this entire nightmare is some grand joke.
