He curls a hand to study his fingernails. “And why bother when I have a perfectly good virgin right here? Who so happens to owe me a favor or two or four, actually.”
“It’s hardly my fault you’re so poorly prepared.”
“Pet, just give me your finger? Please?”
I blow out a breath, shoulders sagging as I drop from the bed. Blood rushes up to my face at the damage it’s causing to my pride. He grabs my hand with more gentleness than I expect, his calloused palms grazing each side. I crinkle my nose as the smell of burnt skin invades my nostrils. “You stink.”
“You mentioned that.” He steadies my finger between his index finger and thumb, holding the knife above it with his other hand. I turn away, waiting for the pierce of pain. Several seconds pass, and I shift my attention back to him.
“Youarea virgin, right?” My glare thickens. “Look, I truly do not care, but if you’re not, this potion isn’t going to work correctly, and then I’m going to have to do this all over again, andthat’sgoing to kind of piss me off. So, if you’re not, I’d much rather you tell me now than find out later because I’m going to find out either way.”
“I was Shrouded.”
His brows inch up. “Right, but now you have me questioning because you said you don’t share the beliefs you were held to. And just so you know…sex does not require the use of your…face.”
My eyes roll to the back of my head. “I’m aware.”
“And, sometimes, these things happen against our will,” he says, voice softening.
My chest puffs with a breath. “Aren’t you on a time limit here?”
“Yes.”
He appraises me expectantly, and I tip my head to the floor. “I’m a virgin,” I bite out, face flaming mercilessly, and he flashes a pleased grin.
“I figured. I just really wanted to hear you say it.” I twitch as the tip of the blade penetrates the skin, but he keeps my finger still in his grasp. “Did that hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” he murmurs. My mouth pops open in stunned silence, and his curls in delighted amusement. “So did the pillow.” He turns my finger inward and drains several drops into the glass vial.
“That’s more than a couple of drops.”
“Never know when I may need it again.”
“Like I won’t be here,” I snort.
“Yes, but—“ He corks the vial and peers down at me from under thick lashes, dark hair falling across his forehead. Handsome even in his soot-streaked state. “Will you always be a virgin?” He pulls my finger up and closes his lips around the tip, tongue flicking out to trace the pad. A fire ignites in my blood, my toes curl, and my lips fall open with a quiet gasp. Completely dumbstruck, several seconds pass before I obtain the wherewithal to yank my hand back.
He leans in and yanks on the towel at the back of my head, tipping my chin up to face him. “Despite whatever you may have heard,princess,I don’tneed potions.”
The towel breaks loose with a tug and drops to the floor with a thump. Wet strands fall around my face. He forms a quick symbol, and somehow, even the way he shapes his hand is arrogant. “Just so we’re clear. Thanks, pet.” He flashes me a devilish grin before whisking out of the room.
What. Is. Happening. To Me?
I’m still standing there long after he disappears beyond the door frame, a single finger held out in front of me. I touch a hand to my forehead, fingertips brushing my hair. I pull a strand out to discover it completely dry. He dried my hair. I didn’t even notice. It all happened so fast.
I don’t feel like myself. There’s an energy slushing through my blood. But it's not just embarrassment. It's a different sensation that makes me feel hot, heavy, and befuddled. Like a physical entity has taken station over my body. I feel overly aware of my skin.
I’m attracted to him.
I take a few steps away from the door frame…Attraction. The whole concept has always been a bit foreign to me. The other Shrouded and my handmaidens loved to point out the guards they found handsome. And, of course, I could tell when a guard was handsome however no one ever really stood out to me before. I never reallyfeltanything for them.
I always knew my path was to either remain Shrouded for life or be given to a man many times my senior. It’s not like I didn’t bring myself to pleasure at night, but sex always felt like a duty, a torture I’d be forced to endure. I never thought I’d desire thatwithsomeone. And definitely not with awitch.
Granted, I haven’t spent any time around men. Is this small amount of time I’ve spent in his company enough to reduce me down to my base animal instincts?
No better than an animal?
