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“I see that you’ve found the hidden passageway system,” I ventured, and I watched the lump in her throat bob up and down as she swallowed.
“I did,” she answered, her voice defiant and bold as ever.
I loved it. It was a long time since someone had stood up against me, and it was refreshing. The centuries had been beginning to grow stale and she was making things exciting again.
“Now that you’ve found them, it would be useless for me to keep the door locked, so you are free to wander the castle. Do not dare to go beyond the castle gates though. It is not safe,” I warned her, and I could see something unidentifiable pass over her face before it disappeared.
Was she planning an escape? Did she really think I was that stupid?
I stood and crossed the room, my footsteps silent against the plush carpet. I loomed over her, my presence casting a shadow across her features.
“Heed my warning, little thief. If you run, I will catch you and you won’t like what happens when I do,” I continued, and she turned her head, looking away.
“Why are you here?” she said stiffly. She raised her chin, her bravery sending a surge of warmth through me. My cock hardened and I pressed myself even closer to her, pinning her against the wall.
I didn’t give her an answer; instead, my lips curled into a grin, and I brushed a loose tendril of hair behind her ear, savoring the shiver of fear that raced down her spine.
She tried to mask her terror, but I could sense it, smell it even. There was something else there, too.
Her arousal.
Interesting.
I leaned forward, my lips grazing her ear.
“Because you’re mine, Aria,” I growled.
“Am I?” she whispered, and I heard her heartbeat increase, the scent of her growing sweeter.
Oh, this was even more delicious than I could have ever imagined.
“To answer your question, I came to fetch you. You missed breakfast, so you’ll be dining with me,” I said, my tone light, but I could still sense the tension in her body.
“I’m not hungry,” she retorted.
“Nonsense,” I replied. “You’ll be dining with me either way. And after dinner, I’m going to show you more of Helheim. I want you to see more of your new home,” I grinned.
“This is not my home,” she scoffed.
“It is now, little thief.”
She glared at me, but I could see the curiosity in her eyes. I took a step back. She moved away, crossing the room to put some distance between us.
My gaze flicked to the door when a group of servants knocked. With a nod, I greeted them. Among them was a young woman carrying a magnificent gown I’d had commissioned for Aria especially. The gown was rich and opulent, the deep purple fabric shimmering in the candlelight. It made what she was wearing look like a servant’s garb.
“I have a gift for you,” I offered, gesturing toward the dress.
“I will put it on later,” she said simply, looking between me and the dress, and I shook my head.
“You will put it on for me now,” I demanded, but my voice was gentle. She stood still, her gaze flickering between them and me, a mix of defiance and uncertainty in her eyes.
“You will leave the room,” she replied in kind, and I shook my head.
“I will not,” I countered. The tension between us was truly delectable, and I kept pushing her to see how far she would go.
She glared at me, her eyes narrowing as the servants moved around her. One of them started to unlace her dress and she held her hands in close to her chest, trying to keep it in place, butbefore long, a young woman with chestnut hair placed a hand on her shoulder.
“My lady,” she said softly. “Please let us do our work.”
