Page 45 of How Does It Feel?

The oversized kitten shared a look with the human before stepping in front of the girl and bowing down. “I will not kill her, Mendax. She has my protection in my presence,” the royal assassin murmured.

Anger boiled under my skin. How dare he disobey me. His protection?

My smoke strained against me, eager to throttle both of them and be done with this.

“So you are a traitor then, Alistair? I offer you safety, even friendship, and you turn your back on me to help the humans? Have you been behind this all along? Perhaps it was you who alerted the humans of our attack. Mind your words, cat. My temper, as you are aware, is flaring,” I said calmly, even though I knew he could tell how much rage burned inside me by the speed of my heart. He also knew what would happen if I unleashed it.

“Mendax, I am no traitor. I have served this court tirelessly. I cannot explain my draw to the girl other than to tell you there is something enchanting about her, but I can’t place it.” He looked down, embarrassed. “I will not harm her and will not let harm come to her in my presence,” Alistair murmured.

I could see the struggle in his vicious eyes. He was at war with his decision. He was a killing machine, never hesitating. Why would he disobey me and spare her? This stupid, weak, full-lipped human?

“Then your presence has no more duty in this kingdom. Leave now before I forget what mercy feels like,” I growled at my friend.

We both knew I wouldn’t kill him. In truth, he was a good friend. Which made it that much more interesting that he refused to kill her. I knew he wasn’t a traitor. He looked forward to killing the humans as much as the rest of us.

The back wall panel opened, cueing the cat’s exit. He exchanged a last look with the human, as if he debated attempting to stay and protect her. I pulsed a warning at his mind, reminding him that he couldn’t truly protect her from me even if he stayed.

Nine tails flicked lazily behind him as he left us with a parting look.

The room stilled. It was just her and me now.

I could taste her fear. It grew the longer she watched me.

“Intriguing. That’s now two times you have escaped a death I’ve dealt to you.” I spoke so she had to strain to listen.

I wanted her to pay attention but didn’t want to get any closer to her.

“Let me go. Please.” She droned on.

The doe eyes had returned. Such a shame because there was something intriguing about that fire she hid.

“Now, why would I do that? We haven’t had a human in the Unseelie court for ages, let alone one that won’t die. Seems like quite the good time I could spread around. It is quite unnatural for a mortal to stay alive so long here. Especially one as sweet and innocent looking as you.”

There it was.

A tiny spark of fire in her eyes at the mention of looking sweet and innocent. Did that anger her? Good. I stared her down until the fire left and fear took its place again.

“Please.” She rushed closer to me and fell on the ground, her dirty knees brushing against my leather training boots. “Please let me go. I’m no good to you. I’m just a girl that was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” she begged.

Tears flooded her eyes and began to drip down her filthy face. Even I could see the fear rattling her as she clasped her shaking hands together in front of me.

A thrum of excitement at the tiny human crying at my feet sent a jolt straight to my cock. My wings, constrained too long, shot out in a clap that shadowed my frame at least seven feet on each side.

Huh, odd.

At this angle, I had a clear view of her full cleavage.

Maybe the humans weren’t as stupid as I’d thought.

“What do they call you, human?”

Why did I even care? She’d be dead as soon as I sent her back to her cell. The forest bog had raised hell at not having had a go at her, and I was starting to understand why.

Maybe she would make a fun pet.

She hesitated at my question a moment. She was a human, so she had no knowledge as to the reason not to share her name.

Her eyes held a singular moment of madness in them.