Page 140 of The Call of Crimson
“No.” His tone is harsh, but there’s an undercurrent of something else—something desperate. “I can't heal it, but I forced it to clot. You won't bleed all over this gorgeous dress.”
The anger eases just a bit at the reminder that he’s the entire reason I have this dress.
“Thank you for the dress, Aurelius,” I say quietly. “And for the boots.”
He releases my hand at last, but doesn’t step back.
“I hate agreeing with Ayden about anything,” Aurelius says. “Especially about you. But he was right about one thing.”
“And what’s that?” My voice wavers.
He cups my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin. “You look unequivocally devastating in this dress, little demon.”
My heart beats a little faster at his praise, but I’m swiftly reminded of Charlotte’s words at dinner.
“Aurelius and I make a handsome couple, don’t we?”
I pull away, crossing my arms. “You have an equally devastating partner waiting for you.”
Aurelius’ expression shifts, something dangerous flashes behind his eyes.
“So we’re finally going to address your reaction out there?” He steps closer. “Good. Let’s talk about it.”
“There’s nothing to discuss. I was distracted and clenched the glass too tightly.” I divert my gaze from his, knowing the lie is showing on my face.
“Fucking hells, Breyla,” Aurelius gasps. “Just admit it.”
“Admit what?”
“That you don’t hate me!” His voice is desperate, yet determined. “Admit that you feelexactlywhat I feel for you. Seeing Charlotte kiss me made you so irrationally angry that you shattered a goblet.”
“There’s nothing to admit,” I whisper, still refusing to meet his eyes.
He catches my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to meet his gaze.
“Admit it,” he growls. “Admit that you aren’t as unaffected as you’re pretending, that the sight of seeing someone else kiss me knots your stomach. Makes you want to murder them. Because that is exactly what I feel every time I’m forced to watch Ayden kiss you.”
Something breaks inside me, the anger from earlier bubbling to the surface, accompanied by nausea.
“Fine,” I hiss. “Watching that heifer trail her fingers over you fills me with fury. I wanted to shove my shadows down her dainty throat and watch her choke. I’ve never been jealous before, Aurelius. I don’t understand why I want to break every bone in the hand she used to touch you!”
A small smirk plays at the corner of his lips. “I think you do understand, Princess.”
“I assure you, I don’t.”
“Stop lying to me,” he says, his voice low and guttural.
“What do you want me to say?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “I want you to say that you feel even a fraction of the all-consuming love I feel for you!”
His words ring true, and I freeze.
No one had ever said those words to me, not like that.
Desperation floods his crimson-flecked eyes as the silence stretches between us. “Tell me he loves you.”
I can hear the way his voice trembles, the words catching in his throat.
