Page 77 of Wicked Chains
"You flatter yourself." I turn away, heading back toward the academy. "I'm going back now."
"Stay." It's not quite a command, but it's close enough to make the mark on my arm heat up.
I keep walking. "No thanks."
"Rose." His voice is sharper now. "You're not to run away from me."
I stop, bristling at his tone. "I'm not running. I'm walking. And I'll do whatever the hell I want."
"Will you?" He's closer now, though I didn't hear him move. "We both know that's not entirely true."
I turn to face him, anger rising. "What are you going to do? Force me to my knees again? Real classy move, by the way."
A look crosses his face, one I’d almost take for regret, but Ash doesn't do regret.
"That was, perhaps, a misstep," he says.
"A misstep?" I laugh, the sound bitter even to my own ears. "You humiliated me in front of the entire school because your ego couldn't handle being told no."
"You needed to be reminded of your place. And of mine."
"My place?" I take a step toward him. "And where exactly is that? Under your boot? On my knees?” Anger makes me reckless. “In your bed?"
His eyes flash dangerously. "Careful, Rose."
"Or what?" I challenge, moving closer still. "What are you going to do to me that you haven't already done? You've taken control of my magic, my freedom. What's left?"
We're standing so close now that I can see the flecks of gold in his forest green eyes.
"Trust me, Rose. There's so much more I could take."
His tone sends chills down my back, but there’s something that's not entirely threatening. The way his eyes linger on my lips, the slight tilt of his head. It clicks suddenly. The possessiveness, the jealousy, the way he's always watching me.
"Oh my God," I say, a startled laugh escaping me. "Youlike me,like me."
He stiffens. "Don't be ridiculous."
"You do," I press, suddenly seeing everything more clearly. "That's what this is about. Not just the contract or the power. You're actually into me."
"You're my property," he says coldly. "Nothing more."
"Bullshit." I'm on dangerous ground, but the revelation gives me a strange kind of power. "You hate that I'm with Lucien and Soren and Drake. It drives you crazy."
His expression darkens. "I don't care who you fuck."
"Now who’s the liar?" I throw his own word back at him. "I can feel it too, you know. Through the mark. Your anger when I'm with them. Your jealousy."
"You mistake possession for affection," he says, but there's a slight tremor in his voice that tells me I've hit a nerve.
"Do I?" I take a deliberate step back, watching his eyes track the movement. "Then it shouldn't bother you if I walk away right now."
"I told you, you're not to run from me." There's an edge of desperation in his voice now, barely perceptible but definitely there.
I smirk, feeling a surge of reckless courage. For once, I have the upper hand with Ash, and it's a trip. "And what are you going to do about it if I do?"
His eyes narrow, and for a moment I think I've pushed too far. Then his mouth curves into a smile that makes me feel something that's not entirely fear.
"Do you want to find out?" he asks, his voice deadly.
