“What him?” She scoffs. “I don’t like being tricked.”
“Neither do I,” I quip.
Verity is so obstinate. Even in the face of her own actions, she insists on painting me as the villain. It’s almost charming. Her blue eyes glimmer in the candlelight as she studies me with interest. She’s never looked at me this long before. Usually, she looks away, insisting on ignoring me. Her tongue wets her lips as her eyes fall upon my face and I feel a surge of desire flood through me.
“Thank you,” she says softly.
I lean closer to her, ignoring the pain that shoots through me. I grin slyly. “What was that?”
She rolls her eyes, but I see a smile teasing her lips. “Thank you,” she says louder.
“You’re welcome,” I say, dipping my chin to her.
“So, what’s going on with these mysterious Bloodbane witches?” She asks, propping her chin in her free hand. “Are they Fae?”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Do they look like Fae?”
“Don’t be so sensitive,” she says, but I see amusement in her eyes.
“Now who thinks they’re clever?” I ask, cocking a brow at her.
“It’s my revenge,” she says. “These witches… why do they hate the Fae?”
“Besides the obvious fact that we’re much better looking, I can’t say,” I muse.
Verity rolls her eyes. “I had no idea you were so vain.”
“I’ve been waiting to surprise you, to show you that there are some downfalls to my charming personality,” I say.
“So charming,” she agrees, squeezing my hand a little tighter. “Navi told me you would recover quickly.”
I nod. “The Fae heal quickly, much faster than mortals. In two days, I won’t even have a scar.”
“That’s unbelievable,” she murmurs. “What else makes the Fae different?”
“Longevity, some magic, speed, strength,” I say blandly.
“Jealous,” she sighs. “My father almost died you know. And the process they used to cure him almost killed him as well.”
My lips part in surprise at her words. Verity and I haven’t spoken of anything personal, not even when she confided in Acubens. My heart falls at her words. Mortals are so fragile. “I’m sorry,” I say softly.
She shrugs her shoulders, but I can see the sorrow in her eyes. “He’s alright now.”
“What sort of man is he, your father?” I ask. I don’t want her to leave just yet. I want her to stay and tell me everything about her. She’s been on my mind since I brought her to my castle. And while she infuriates me to some degree, I feel an undeniable pull towards her.
“He’s smart and kind. But he’s goofy. When I was a girl, he used to pretend to find a coin behind my ear, and then he would give it to me so I could buy ice cream from the ice cream truck.” She smiles, reminiscing.
“He sounds like a great man,” I say. “I would love to meet him one day.”
Verity laughs, like a bell chiming. “You wouldn’t. He would try to tug your ears off.”
I grimace. Fae ears are extremely sensitive. “That wouldn’t be pleasant.”
She grins and reaches up towards my ears. I snatch her wrist when she’s inches from the tip of my ear. She gasps in surprise and her cheeks color. I release her, dropping my gaze. “I’m sorry. Fae don’t like having our ears touched except under certain circumstances,” I explain. “I hope I didn’t hurt your wrist.”
Verity’s hair bounces softly around her shoulders as she shakes her head. I realize that she’s wearing the same gown she wore the night she was kidnapped. Happiness and satisfaction blooms in my chest as I realize that she came directly to my room after we returned.
“You just surprised me,” she says, curious eyes flitting to my ears again.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize again.
She smiles mischievously. “You know that’s the second time you’ve apologized to me. I’m starting to think your coldness is a facade.”
I paste a look of disinterest on my face. “A momentary lapse.”
“I should go now, let you get your rest,” Verity chuckles.
My face falls as she releases her grip on my hand and stands. Her dress is covered in dust and the fine silk is torn in several places. She gives me a hesitant smile, as if she isn’t sure what to do. We’ve never spoken this long before. And we’ve certainly never spoken this long without arguing. It’s been unexpectedly pleasant, and I’m sorry to see her go. I want her to stay and show me all the different sides of her. I want her to stay and tell me about her family. And I want her to stay and hold me.
My hand snakes towards her and I grab hold of her wrist again. Her eyes dart towards my face in confusion. I tug her towards me, she loses her balance and falls onto my chest. I ignore the pain from the sudden pressure and wrap my arms around her. My lips find hers as my eyes slipped closed.
I kiss her deeply, my lips moving against hers. Desire and passion course through me as she kisses me back. I nip at her bottom lip, my teeth grazing the sensitive flesh there and I feel her body tremble. She moans softly, and the sound sets my blood racing.
I was frightened when I realized she had been taken. Not only because without her, I don’t stand a chance of breaking this curse, but because I worried for her wellbeing. Bloodbane witches can be finnicky and impulsive. They were as likely to treat her well as they were to torture her.
She relaxes against me, letting my tongue slip into her mouth teasingly. She groans again, and I can feel the stiffness of her nipples through the thin silk of her gown. My hands rove over her back as I hold her.
Suddenly, she pulls away, her eyes wide with shock. She straightens and slaps a hand over her swollen lips, staring at me. “Verity,” I say, reaching for her again.
She blinks at the sound of her name and then drops her
