Page 86 of Veiled Flames
He knows. Tynan knows who I am.
The realization in his eyes, the shift in his expression was clear. Even clearer than my belief that he’s not as cruel as his kin. If he’d wanted to hurt me, truly wanted to, he would have acted, instead of stalling with threats.
And if Tynan were as cruel as his kin, he wouldn’t have so much deep fear mixed in with the lust in his eyes. His false grin and threats didn’t hide either one.
Tynan desires me. Even when he thought I was a boy, he desired me. Tynan wants me in the way that Saxon wants me.
And thrix if I don’t want him too.
Now that I’ve discovered what males have on offer, it seems I can’t get enough. At least from certain men.
Is itnormalto feel such a strong physical need for not one but two men? Especially two men whom I hate?
I liked Saxon, at first—I still like him a lot—but I can’t forgive his insults or what he did to me last night. And while I sympathize with how Tynan was undoubtedly raised—watching, as the women in his household were systematically abused and murdered—I can’t imagine ever trulylikingsuch an arrogant and boastful man. One capable of uttering threats to someone much smaller.
I climb out of my bath and release the plug that Elly showed me how to use. Do other kingdoms, outside of Achotia, have such conveniences? In spite of Elly’s denials, perhaps magic does exist here at camp. Perhaps because it’s so close to the veil.
As I dry my aching, exhausted body, my bed calls out, but the danger of Tynan calls louder. If I do nothing, he’ll reveal my identity. If he hasn’t already.
After Tynan left me, I found Samyull, and my friend found out which room is Tynan’s. Samyull’s eyes filled with alarm when I asked for the information, but then he said he’d do anything to help me, since he owes me his life. Samyull’s exaggerating, but I accepted his favor.
I secure the corset tightly, squashing my bosom, and then dress in a fresh uniform—the one I plan to wear tomorrow. Dressed, I head to the staircase which leads up to the senior candidates’ rooms.
Drunken voices call out, as I reach the top of the stone stairs.
I pause. Peering around the corner, I wait as a group of three candidates joke together, slurring their words and slapping each other on their backs. Finally, they retire to their rooms to sleep off their overconsumption of ale.
The coast clear, I rush down the corridor and stop in front of Tynan’s room. I raise my fist to knock but hear shouting from within. Is he not alone?
Tynan cries out, as if in grave pain, cursing Othrix’s name in a strangled tone. Hand still poised to knock, I wait but hear no further sounds.
Has he been hurt?
Acting on pure instinct, I rap quickly then open the door without awaiting an answer.
The sight of Tynan steals the air from my chest.
Chemise off, he’s leaning against the wall at one side of his bed. Firelight highlights every ridge and hard plane comprising his back, his shoulders, his powerful arms. His hands and forehead rest against the wall, and his back heaves and ripples, like he’s fighting to regain his breath.
“Are you quite well?” I ask him for the second time tonight. My question didn’t land well the first time.
Tynan turns his head to look over his shoulder. His face is flushed. He’s sweating. But then a wide and devilish grin spreads over his face.
“Hello,grandmother.” He turns away from the wall, exposing his rod to me. Although it’s less of a rod at the moment and more of a sausage. Not fully stiffened, his cock dangles, dark red and damp.
Maintaining eye contact, he tucks his long appendage beneath the front flaps of his breeches.
Rod stashed, he strides toward me so quickly that I press my back against the closed door, cursing myself for revealing my fear.
“Did youlikewhat you saw?” He pats his flap. “Alas, it may take a few minutes before my cock is prepared to slice you in two. But I am grateful that you saved me the trouble of going to your room to do it.”
My cheeks heat, and I curse that part of me too. My body keeps betraying me.
“Given the way you insulted my family.” Tynan glares. “I should drive a sword through your belly this instant.” His eyes narrow, turning darker. “But I think I’ll drive something else hard and long into you first.”
He cups his hand over his flap and squeezes. “My rod is very long, it will soon be rock hard, and it can mete out brutal punishments when I demand it.” He licks his lips. “I cannotwaitto hear you screaming for mercy.”
My insides throb. How can I hate a man so strongly and still want him to drill me? Even if he drills me hard and roughly like Saxon did. The idea of something similar with Tynan excites me, almost as much as his threats terrify me. I’m just as afraid of what he might say to expose me, as what he might do to my body.
