Page 22 of Rapunzel Unchained
“Fucking leeches, always looking for some new gossip,” Rebecca spat, turning from the television toward me.
My hand wrapped around her throat and shoved her against the wall.
“My queen,” Rebecca gasped out, her eyes widening. “Please.”
“You touch what is mine?” I snarled, my hand tightening around her throat with strength I didn’t know I had. “You put your lips on him? You say you want the mages to pay, but what you really want is to be the pretty little arm candy to the new Arch Mage. Admit it.”
I slammed her up against the wall once then twice when she did not answer immediately.
She grabbed at my hands but didn’t use her magic against me, like she should have. Why? I hadn’t trusted her from the moment I saw her, and now she pawed Adam like he was nothing more than something she can fuck, like she has claim to him.
“I’m sorry, my queen. It’s–” She gasped and struggled to get her words out. “It’s all a trick. I promise you. An agreement. Adam knows. I have no interest in him at all. He’s yours.”
“Break it off,” I growled, leaning in close to her face. “Now.”
“I can’t.” Rebecca made a strangled sound as my hand tightened on her throat. “Please, my queen.”
I drew in a breath and my rage, releasing her abruptly. “Speak carefully. I cannot promise what will happen if you don’t.”
Rebecca sagged against the wall, rubbing her throat. “I didn't mean to offend you, my queen. The plan was already in place before I knew of your...” I glared at her. “Affection for Adam. I can’t end it without discussing it with Adam.”
“Fine,” I snapped, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides. “If you cannot end it, then I will.” Later, I would ponder on how I could do it but, at that moment, without barely an inkling of a thought, my magic wrapped around me and pulled me from Rebecca’s home.
I reappeared in Adam’s empty study.
Our rage still bubbled beneath the surface. I swallowed it down, knowing that if I saw Adam with it so close to bursting forth, I couldn’t be sure that the queen wouldn’t kill him.
With more calm than I knew I had, I stepped around his desk and went behind his desk, sinking into his chair. Papers and books were spread out around the surface, one of those screens the size of a book sat to one side.
I ignored the screen and flipped through one of the books.
Reports of all the humans and their masters in the city. Even longer reports of those humans who had been abused by their masters. Those that had reported the abuse, in any case.
It did seem like he was doing something that was good, at least.
The door to the study twisted open. I threw my feet up onto the edge of his desk and leaned back in his seat waiting for him.
Adam appeared, his face haggard. He shut the door behind him and leaned against it, his eyes closed as he sighed.
I didn’t wait for him to find me this time. This wasn’t a friendly meeting. There was no Zane sleeping to keep me quiet.The rage inside of me rolled with the need to cause destruction. I flexed my fingers and breathed out, jerking his gaze to me.
My lips curled up at his wary expression. “Hello, Adam.”
Chapter 12
Once Adam clipped his mouth shut with a snap, he cleared his throat and straightened, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants. “Eva, what an unexpected surprise. You could have used the front door.”
My smile sharpened. “And give you the chance to arrest me? Now, why would I do that?”
“I wouldn’t dream of having you arrested, Eva.” Adam strolled from the door to the front of his desk, the hitch of his shoulders the only sign that he was bothered by my presence. That would change soon. “You’re part of this family. We just want to help you.”
“Family.” My nose scrunched up into a snarl. “Is that what we are, Adam? Or do I call you Arch Mage now?” I swiped my skirt to the side, so the split of my dress split open.
Adam’s eyes immediately went to my exposed thighs. He licked his lips and lifted his gaze back to mine. He leaned his hip against the side of his desk, and that little book he was always reading popped out of nowhere.
I realized then that it was his shield. He used the book to keep people at a distance or to end a conversation he didn’t want to participate in.
I hated it.
