Page 128 of The Call of Crimson
“Bite your tongue,” she hisses.
I wink. “I’d much rather you bite it for me.”
A low snarl curls her lip as she continues circling me. She’s unarmed and at a disadvantage, but that doesn’t stop her.
I swing my blade in a wide arc, intent on making her yield. I crave her submission in bed as much as I do in battle. But I want to earn it, fight for it.
Breyla doesn’t just dodge my attack; she dances from it, her back arching to avoid the blow. She crouches low, swiping her leg out and catching my own in its path.
I hit the ground, my back taking the brunt of the impact. She straddles me and pulls two daggers from gods know where, crossing them at my throat.
I hiss, realizing these weapons aren’t blunted. The metal bites my skin, tiny droplets of blood pooling beneath the blades.
“It doesn’t look like I’ll be adding to my list of defeats today, darling,” she purrs, smugness filling her tone and eyes.
A slow rolling clap echoes across the grounds.
“Well,” Ayden drawls, approaching. “That was beautiful to witness. Watching her draw blood is quite… arousing.”
A low growl escapes my curled lips and is answered by one from Ayden’s. Our eyes lock over Breyla’s shoulder, neither of us backing down.
Breyla lifts off me, turning toward Ayden. She opens her mouth to speak, but then hesitates.
Eyes sharp, she spins in a tight circle, scanning the courtyard. In one smooth motion, she hurls her dagger toward a tree at the ring’s edge. It thuds into the trunk, just inches from a smiling Ayden.
The illusion in front of me fades as the real Ayden to our side chuckles.
“Your intuition is strengthening,” he muses. “Pity. I was hungering for a good morning kiss.”
“You can try again tomorrow, Prince.” Breyla smirks. “I very much enjoy the look of disappointment when you lose.”
“Hmmm,” Ayden hums, undeterred. “Would you like to earn another pair of your leathers back?”
“Always.” Breyla grins, the excitement flashing across her features too quickly for her to mask.
“I have a bonus offer for you today, love.”
“What is that?” she asks, her curiosity piqued.
“You may make your usual guess,” Ayden says, strolling closer. “But also, we have a council meeting after this for the autumn equinox ball. If you behave at the meeting, play nice with my mother, and truly make it seem you’re smitten with me... I'll return your boots.”
She crosses her arms. “I already have boots.” She raises a foot to show off the brown leather.
“I see that,” he says, unimpressed. “However, Rowina would like them back since they are her only pair. She said, and I quote, ‘Tell your fiancée, if she wants me out of my clothes, she can remove them herself rather than stealing them.’”
So that’s where she got them.I suppress a laugh.
“Fine,” Breyla relents with a heavy sigh. “I’ll play nice. But I want the boots up front.”
“That’s not how this works, sweetheart.”
“It’s that, or I show up to the meeting barefoot,” she threatens sweetly. “Your choice, Prince.”
“Very well.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “Stop by my room before the meeting. What’s your guess today?”
“Was Charlie actually coming onto Aurelius that first night at dinner?” Breyla asks.
“Is that your final answer?” Ayden asks, keeping his tone even.
