Page 77 of A Song of Air
“You don’t get to decide who deserves me. You have no fucking idea what I deserve or not.”
His eyes flashed and his smile kicked up. There was no offense in his gaze, but he looked at her like he relished in the challenge she presented. Like she was a delicate morsel that he wanted to swallow whole.
“You deserve someone who will fuck you until you cannot remember your own name. Not someone who will barely scratch your itch.”
Bryson’s eyes rolled. “Is that all you have to offer? Sex? I can get that anywhere. I don’t need you.”
Weylyn stepped forward then, so close that their chests brushed, and she could feel the steady beat of his infuriating heart. His braid swayed as he leaned down, slipping over her shoulder. “I could offer you the entire world, little mate. If only you’d let me.”
And she believed him, too.
There was something in his eyes, a gleam, a promise of violence that let Bryson know he spoke the truth. He would cleave the world in two for her, if only she asked it of him. He would set it to flame, kill and murder and maim anybody who got in his way.
The idea thrilled as much as it frightened her.
She took a step out of his presence, trying to shake his scent from her nostrils and clear her head.
“Leave me alone,” she said firmly. “I don’t want the world, and I certainly don’t want you.”
“Little mate—”
“I saidno!” Her magic lashed out, a vicious, choking force that swirled around him in a violent torrent. It choked around his neck like invisible ropes. And when he staggered, Bryson lifted her hand and pulled the breath from his lungs.
Weylyn clawed at his neck, choking and gasping for breath that wouldn’t come. Bryson’s rage fueled her magic, controlling the very air around them, preventing him from drawing a single breath. His face began to redden, and she let it, lifting him with the wind until his feet dangled beneath him.
And then she let him fall.
Weylyn dropped to the ground. He didn’t cry out, but she could hear the soft gasps as he drew in breath after breath.
“Now you know what I’m capable of,” she hissed, letting her magic swirl around his body. “Mate or not, I will kill you next time you cross my boundaries. I swear it on Mana.”
Weylyn looked up then, his golden eyes flashing, his lips pressed into a thin line right before they curled into an unnatural smile.
“You think I fear you?” he whispered. “No, little mate. Your violence and willingness to murder me only makes me want you that much more.”
Bryson fought back the urge to groan. He was crazy. There was no other explanation for it. He was absolutely insane.
Weylyn pushed himself to his feet, dusting his pants off with his palms. “I will respect your wishes, little mate.”
The words rocked Bryson back on her heels, and she narrowed her gaze on him, the action making his form clearer. It felt like a trap, like a lie. She loathed to trust it.
“We have dallied long enough.” He started forward. “Basil needs us. Lead the way, Bryson Varik. We have much ground to cover.”
