Page 39 of The Call of Crimson
“I can’t stand green beans,” Ayden starts, lifting a finger for each one. “I once lost a bet to my friend Malcolm, and he made me wear my sister’s corset to a ball. And… I’ve been known to dabble in the occasional threesome.”
“The threesome checks out with your fondness for watching,” I say, my eyes assessing his frame in an attempt to picture him in a corset.
“You wore your sister’s corset to a ball?” Aurelius asks, confirming the green beans was the lie.
“Ugh, yes. And let’s just say I have immense respect for the ladies who wear those cages you call clothing.”
I let out a chuckle, agreeing with him completely. “Why do you think I wear my leathers all the time?”
“I just thought it was because they were practical and made you look intimidating.”
“Iamintimidating,” I say firmly.
Aurelius smirks. “Of course you are, Princess.”
It makes me want to punch him.
“Aurelius, your turn.”
“Fine. I used to give other males erections when they pissed me off as a boy. I find ducks adorable. The quickest I’ve ever brought a female to orgasm was forty-eight seconds.”
I blush thinking about the last one. He had never brought me to orgasm that quickly, preferring to drag out my pleasure as long as possible, but I think about what it would be like for him to try.
“Her blush makes me think the last one is the truth,” Ayden muses, “Although you do look like the type of male who would like cute little ducks.”
“It’s the ducks, right?” I guess, trying to recover.
“Nope.” Aurelius grins. “I find them quite precious. I once tried to keep one as a pet.”
“So, you’re telling me,” Ayden says, eyes lighting up, “that you have the ability to give males spontaneous erections—and you never once used that Gift to torment them?”
“I haven’t. But don’t tempt me. I’m not above that.”
The carriage comes to a halt, and a knock sounds outside the carriage before a gruff voice calls out, “We’re about to enter the city, Prince.”
“Ah, that’s my queue,” Ayden sighs. “I’ll be entering on horseback to greet my people. It is probably best you two remain inside until we reach the castle.” With a sharp tug, he swings open the carriage door and disappears into the outside light.
The carriage lurches forward, my stomach going with it. Apprehension churns inside me, and I wish, for the hundredth time, that I were back in Rimor.
Aurelius shifts beside me, his voice low and teasing. “Your turn, Princess.”
“Why would we continue playing? You’ve already proven it’s impossible to get past your Gift.”
“Because I love the way those pretty lies sound coming from your lips,” he drawls, leaning back with that infuriating smirk. “Humor me.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “I hate you. I’m not wearing any underwear. My favorite dessert is apple pie.”
He chuckles, deep and melodic. “That’s not how the game works, little demon. It’s twotruthsand a lie, not two lies. But it does things to me knowing you’re sitting three feet away, not wearing any underwear.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There were two truths.”
His gaze heats, crimson flecks sparking in his dark irises. “Then come over here and show me how much you hate me,” he taunts. “Make me believe it.”
“I suppose I have nothing better to do.”
I rise slowly, dragging my blade from its sheath as I step between his spread legs. His eyes don’t leave mine as I lift the dagger and press it to the side of his throat.
The crazy bastard grins. “I could do it,” I whisper, the tip biting into the skin just enough of draw a drop of blood. “I could slide this blade straight across your neck and end both our suffering.”
