Page 63 of Autumn Queens & Shadows

“I don’t bite, Malik.”

“Have no idea why you think I’d be opposed to that.”

My smile was sardonic. “I’d rather die.”

He threw me a wink as he marched closer. “Whatever you’re into, sweetheart.”

Kneeling before me, he took my hand and wrapped a torn piece of his shirt over it. He didn’t ask why or how, even though he wanted to. I knew he wanted to because he kept looking at the puddle of blood behind. At the dagger. At my only wound.

He cupped a hand around my jaw and forced me to look up at him, the cold metal of his ring pressed against my cheek. “What’s with the disappearing act?”

“I didn’t disappear.”

“I know when Thora Krigborn graces me with her precious attention and when not.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Did you hear what I said before?”

“Nothing important if I didn’t catch it. Can you take your hands off my face?”

“What pretty little manners,” he mocked, pulling my face closer to him. “You want something? Order me. You want me to do something? Command me. You want me to kill someone for you, hurt them for you? Just order me. Enough with this polite shit. You’re a queen now, not some twirly little princess.”

“I never asked for it.”

“Isn’t that tough.”

I glared at him and he dared to laugh.

“Really scary, aren’t you, wife?”

“Pretend wife.”

“Kinky. I like that, too.”

“You really think this is a game, don’t you?”

“It is. And you’ve forced me to play it. What if you lose, huh? What then?”

“Then I lose.”

His grip on me tightened. “You never lose, Thora. You can never lose.”

“What happens after this?”

“Put me on a leash and show me off to the world.”

“Are you my dog now?” Quickly, I put a hand over his mouth. “Bark and so help me heavens.”

Instead of making another animal sound, he bit my hand. Bit is perhaps too strong of a word, but he did have his teeth on my skin. “I’ve rounded up your guard on the training grounds outside the castle. I’m going to have a nice word with them all. Then I'll come here, to you. So wait me up for dinner. I want to have a nice word with you as well.”

“I’m out of nice words for today.”

“I’m good with bad words, too.” He stood, dusting his clothes straight as he backed towards the exit still facing me. “You looked beautiful today, little bird.”

“It’s only my second wedding. I’m sure I will do better next time.”

His response before fading away was throwing his head back and laughing.