Page 35 of Clash of Storms
He could practically feel the irritation rolling off her.
Turning back to the spit, he titled his head to her, one adversary to another. "I shall take that as a no. Here." He moved toward the goose, drawing his knife. "How hungry are you?"
She was so small he doubted she'd need more than a mouthful, butdrekifemales burned through food faster than humans. And Malin was halfway between both.
"Starving," she admitted, as he began to carve thick steaming slices of meat from the breast, where it would be the most tender.
Malin accepted the plate he gave her, and they ate in companionable silence, the fire crackling. Snowflakes shivered down out of the sky still, but he couldn't sense an incoming storm.
Just the one looming between them.
"It seems my luck with my poor lonely bed is going to change," he said, as he packed away their plates and kicked his bedroll out.
Instantly, her eyes narrowed. "In what way?"
"You're going to be the first woman beneath my furs in years. Tonight we are sharing a bed, sweet Malin, so you'd best grow used to the idea."
The color drained from her cheeks. "Like hell we are."
"I have one cloak. One bedroll. The alternative is to freeze."
"If you were a gentleman—"
"But I'm not, am I?" he broke in nastily. "I'm the Blackfrost. Scourge of the court. Vile thug and murderous prince. Take your chances with the chill, or prepare to put up with my presence for the night."
"If you touch me—"
"What makes you think I would wish to? As you said: My bed's been empty for years."
Technically, not a lie. Merely questions. It was so easy to warp truth.
Malin fell ominously silent.
Sirius arched a brow. "And I do not touch women who do not wish me to touch them. Your virtue is safe, unless you care to extend an invitation...?"
"It's never going to happen."
"Never say never. We spoke of fantasies once. What was it that caught your interest toward the end? Me? Begging you? On my knees?"
"I wouldn't hold your breath," she snapped.
He glanced down at the bed. "I never do."
After all, he'd always known what she thought of him.
Why would he expect otherwise?
But he needed her to begin trusting him, for both of them needed to sleep.
Sirius gave her a slow, wolfish shrug. "You're beautiful, Malin, but why would I deign to end my self-imposed chastity for you? I prefer a little more welcome in my women. I'd rather not freeze my cock off. So relax. I will not touch you unless you will it. I promise."
Anddrekicould not lie.
* * *
"You're beautiful, Malin...."
Such a throwaway line, and one that threatened to condemn her to a sleepless night. Several drekling men had told her she was beautiful, but after Ivan had tried to use her to court the princess's attention, she'd grown prickly about trusting men's intentions.
