Page 105 of Veiled Flames
He takes a tentative step forward. “If you recall, I didn’t actuallytellanyone.”
My fury expands. “Youkissedme! You lifted me right off the ground and kissed me. Passionately. In front ofeveryone.”
“Tell me you didn’t enjoy it.” A hopeful smile teases his lips.
“That’s not the point!”
“Then, whatisthe point?” He takes another small step toward me. “Is it not possible I might have kissed a boy so? It was Egon who blurted the truth. And Saxon who revealed your true name.”
I step back, and my legs hit the edge of my bed. “Thepointis, even if you didn’t use words to reveal my secret, you revealed it with actions. You betrayed me, Tynan. And you ruined my chances of becoming a rider.”
Regret flashes in the greens of his eyes. “Forgive me.”
“Why in Othrix’s name would I ever do that?”
In two bounding strides, Tynan reaches me. But instead of grabbing my body or hair like last night, he drops to his knees at my feet with his hands clasped before him.
“Forgive me, Rosomon. Please. I’d do anything to repair the damage I’ve caused you.”
My body freezes in shock. Tynan is begging. Admitting fault. Tynan has revealed a side I most certainly did not expect.
I look into his eyes, half expecting to find them mocking me, but his regret seems sincere, as does his plea for forgiveness. He seems almost desperate.
Tynan’s feelings have changed toward me, just as mine had softened for him before he betrayed me today. I sensed it last night, and I felt it when he kissed me out on the field. And I can see it now in his eyes.
Still kneeling, he wraps his arms tightly around me and presses his head against my belly. “Please, my dearest Rose. Today has been the best day of my life, but it will turn to the worst if you won’t forgive me.”
“Since when am I, ‘Your dearest Rose?’” I mock his words with my tone.
Keeping his arms around me, Tynan leans back and looks up into my eyes. “You became my dearest Rose today.” Blinking, he shakes his head. “That’s not true. You became dear to me the day I first met you.”
My eyes narrow. Iknowthat’s not true.
He continues to shake his head. “I can’t recall the precise moment I first felt sparks ignite between us, but today, while riding Xendus, my deepest desires became clear.”
I suck in a breath, and my chest heaves as if long deprived of air. I may have stopped breathing when Tynan landed on his knees at my feet.
“Rosomon,” he says, “I can’t fully explain all I’m feeling, or why these emotions so quickly arose. I admit I’m confused, but I’m certain of one thing. If you don’t forgive me, my heart will be ripped from my chest, and I’ll live each day forward in the depths of darkness and despair.”
His hyperbole snaps me back to reality. This man makes a sport of mocking others, and he’s well accustomed to getting whateverhe wants. I might not be able to detect the mocking in his expression right now, but he’s also a consummate performer.
“I spoke to the dragon masters,” he tells me. “I don’t believe my words alone should earn your forgiveness, but I do want you to know that I made strong arguments on your behalf. The masters are at leastconsideringletting you stay.”
An ounce of hope enters my heart—hope combined with gratitude. Tynan spoke to the masters on my behalf?
This could be another of his jests. Or a tactic to get what he wants from me. What he wants has become less clear, but as he remains on his knees in front of me, the hard evidence of at least one of his wants becomes obvious, pressing out against his flap like the center pole of a tent.
Desire throbs inside me. My fingers only heightened my arousal. Can I swallow my pride and anger and use Tynan to get what I need? Can my hatred for himfuelmy desires? He did claim that hate could fuel lust.
“I concede that your betrayal may not have beenfullyintentional.”
His hands tighten over my bottom, kneading me like Cook making bread. The motion shifts the trainer and sends another wave of lust racing through me.
Hope rises in Tynan’s eyes. He senses my arousal and thinks that he’s won. He thinks he’s going to get what he wants. Entitled men like Tynan will never learn to accept disappointment. And that fuels my anger.
Tynan’s bragged that all wenches at camp will spread their legs for him—and that they oft timesfightover his cock. I’d like toteach him a lesson. To show him he can’t always take what he wants.
But then I’d be denying myself.
