Series: Charmaine Pauls
Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
I’m raw inside, but I’m not going to tell him that.
“I thought the water had healing powers,” I say with a snideness designed to hide my hurt and humiliation.
“It does,” he replies patiently. “But seeing that you were a virgin and that I didn’t prepare you, you may feel some discomfort for a day or two.”
“What do you care?”
“Your wellbeing concerns me. It’s my duty to take care of you.”
And there it is, the confirmation that he’s only doing his damn duty.
My already-volatile anger explodes. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”
The line of his jaw hardens. “I know my responsibilities, and I’ve never shied away from them.”
I bat my eyelashes and give him a sugary smile. “I wouldn’t want to put you out.”
“It’s no trouble.” Sparks dance in his silver eyes, but he does a good job of keeping his anger in check. “I’ll have something sent over.”
Then again, maybe he doesn’t have to force calmness. Maybe he’s simply uninterested.
He stands, drops of water rolling off his powerful torso and flat stomach. His cock hangs heavy and thick below the dark nest of curls between his thighs. Despite the delectable portrait he makes, I want to slap him. I am hurting, but the physical pain is nothing compared to the ache in my heart. His rejection is humiliating. I’ve never regretted anything more than I’m regretting having sex with him.
His tone is icy. “You could at least try not to show your regret so openly.”
I bite my tongue to prevent myself from saying something truly insulting.
He gets out of the water like the Adonis he is and takes a sheet from the bench that he uses to dry himself with.
“I’m going to talk to my mother,” he says, not looking at me. “I’ll put a female servant at your disposal. If you need anything, she’ll get it for you.”
With that, he walks out in all his naked glory.
I shrink into myself, making myself small in the water, wishing I could curl up into a ball and hide somewhere… anywhere… as long as it’s far away from here.
At the first opportunity I get, I’m out of here. I’ll figure out a way of getting off this planet. After what has happened, there’s not a chance I’m staying. I’m not going to sit here and wait for Aruan to give me the cold shoulder. And I sure as hell won’t hang around to have more sex that’s clearly unsatisfying and to be humiliated again just because the way we’re wired makes it impossible to resist.
No way. Not me.
Goodbye, Aruan.
A tear runs down my cheek even as I mentally punch the asshole in the gut.
Have a nice fucking life.
I get out of the water, dry myself, and walk to the bedroom.
It’s empty.
He left.
Ignoring the coldness that settles in my stomach, I quickly dress in another pair of Aruan’s pants and a shirt that smells too much like him for my liking. My actions are mechanical, yet the power inside me pulses stronger still, an undeniable force that won’t be ignored.
In a distant corner of that awareness, I become conscious of Betty. She’s out there, closer now, her presence a balm on my trampled emotions.
I’m not cognizant of opening the window and stepping onto the balcony. It’s automatic. Instinctive. I reach for her, searching for comfort, and she doesn’t disappoint. She answers the call, her gigantic wings turning visible in the distant sky.
I watch her grow bigger as she comes nearer. How beautiful and majestic she is. I already know she’s going to land on the balcony before her claws hit the rail because that’s what I want. That’s what I will her to do.
The balcony shakes under the onslaught of her weight as she hops to the floor. I grab a pillar for purchase.
Aruan’s voice comes from somewhere far-off. “Elsie!”
Betty locks her wings at her sides and tilts her head to study me with her beady eyes.
“Betty,” I whisper, stroking her soft, rubbery neck. “You came.”
“Elsie!”
Aruan’s voice cuts me like shards of glass, but if I stay here, it will only get worse. Wiping at the wetness on my cheeks, I ignore the sharp pain that tears into my chest as I carefully climb onto the rail, holding on to the pillar with both hands. The abyss gapes beneath me, but I’m not scared, not with Betty there to catch me.
And then white-hot fear flares in my chest as Aruan’s intention manifests in my mind.
He’s going to vaporize Betty.
Already, his presence grows stronger as he prepares to portal himself here.
To stop me.
I act fast, leaping from the rail onto Betty’s back. Aruan won’t kill her if my safety is at stake. He’s not going to risk my life. That’s one thing he’s made clear.
“Go,” I urge, wrapping my arms around her neck and holding on for dear life.