Oh, she knew he liked the sight of her. But no ordinary attraction explained such an extraordinary exception. Not that he’d made another play for her.
The only time he truly interacted with her? When he unhooked her from the bed, and they shared a meal at the desk. They had exchanged no more questions, but they hadn’t traded other insults, either. It was just...he was so different than she’d imagined. Rough around the edges, yet also smooth. Withdrawn, but open. Cunning, but courteous.
Did she catch herself enjoying his companionship? Occasionally. But oh, how she abhorred those moments. They marked a true betrayal to the life she’d once shared with Laban.
Had Isla begun to heal at least, or did she worsen now that she was without a mother? Had anyone guessed Blythe’s whereabouts and told the little girl? Did the darling cry herself to sleep?
Tears stung Blythe’s eyes. Tears. Big, fat drops of sadness and regret.
What are you doing? Focus!She’d come to Ation for a reason. Not just for herself, but for Isla, too. A new morning was dawning, sunlight streaming through the bedroom windows. The sixth day since Roux’s arrival.
As usual, the Astra sat in his chair, sharpening a blade and staring at her again. The sadness evaporated. Heart thumping, she looked away fast. She shouldn’t like being the object of his unwavering concentration. No, she should not.
In a bid to distract herself, she dropped her gaze to the weapons scattered around his feet. She would run scenarios in her mind, figure out all the ways she could maim him with each, and...oh, wow. A beam of light spotlighted the crystal crown.Stunning.
Foolish Roux. How could he leave such a magnificent piece lying on the floor? Anyone could come in at any time and steal it.
How dare they! Mine!Well, not hers. Not yet. Blythe should at least try it on. What would it hurt? Guaranteed the crystals made her superiority pop.
She eased upright, her chains rattling. The familiar clink snapped her back to reality. Ugh. What had she been thinking? If she crowned herself, she would become queen of Ation. Would she then need to fight the winner of the tournament while wearing the ruby?
Not a bad plan, as long as she retrieved the firstone dagger and kept her hatred under wraps. As queen, she would force the final battle between her and Roux. A confrontation Taliyah couldn’t halt. There’d be no allowing the Astra to win his task before Blythe killed him either, as she’d previously considered. Their course would be set.
On the other hand, if she waited until after the task, she could launch a sneak attack at the perfect time. But again, she must retrieve the firstone dagger. Which she could do with a simple bargain.
The wraith desired a hundred “meals.” No big thing. Send the women of this realm to certain death? No problem. Go without Blythe’s loyalty, go without her mercy.
For the return of the dagger, she would happily provide Miss Murder with the hundred—plus interest. That dagger was more than a murder weapon. With it, she had a workaround for the ruby. She wouldn’t need to be strong to defeat Roux, only sly.
So her stomach churned at the thought of attacking him from the shadows? So what? The best way to achieve a goal? One step at a time. This plan got her from A to Z in only three moves. Meals, crown, Roux.
“I know that look.” His harsh tone filled the room. Sharpening, sharpening. “Do not cause me trouble today, harpy.”
Oh, he thought he knew her, did he? He probably expected her to fire back with a venomous barb. She returned her gaze to his and smiled sweetly instead, cooing, “But what if I really, really want to cause you trouble today, Astra?” She put the queen and dagger ideas on a mental shelf for further thought later. Four full days remained until the tournament’s start. She had time to weigh the pros and cons for such a permanent decision.
Roux dropped his chin but not his gaze, one hundred percent pure alpha male. “Proceed at your own risk.”
Warm shivers danced over her skin. Dang him! He’d upped his sexy.
Looking away had worked the first time, so she did it again. Only, her focus locked on the pulse thumping at the base of his throat. A pang of hunger cut through her.
Hunger. For the Astra. For his blood. His soul.
His powerful body.
Her heart raced. The chains. The chains must be weakening her defenses.Get the metal off, whatever the cost, now, now, now!
“Take me to the Oath Stone,” she beseeched, dangling her bare feet off the edge of the bed. Having refused to don the flimsy excuse for a nightgown he’d offered her last night, she wore a leather vest and pleated skirt. Wartime attire, exactly what she needed right now. “I’ll vow not to kill you and not to run until the start of the tournament. I’ll stick to palace grounds. I’ll even agree to attend the first day of the tournament with you, so that you’ll have ample opportunity to recapture and rechain me.”
He ceased sharpening the blade. The muscles in his shoulders tensed. “If I leave you chained, you won’t attempt to kill me or run, either. With Penelope determined to mete punishment for my refusal, I prefer to keep you dependent on me.”
At least he didn’t lie about it. “Aw, is the Astra afraid of the wicked wraith?”
Pursing his lips, he shook his head. A single jerk of negation. “You cannot manipulate me into doing as you wish.”
Oh, really? “Please, Rue,” she pouted, batting her lashes at him.
Minutes passed in silence, the air between them thickening—Roux stood, a slow unfolding, and prowled closer, bringing the scent of cedarwood and spiced oranges with him.