“You don’t want this.”
“How do you know that?”
“Lookat me!”
Even without a mirror, Natalya knew she looked wretched. Her skin more gray than golden, her hair thin and dull. She was a husk meant to be an idol, and her being would fry the minds of mortals to return to its intended state. And Evie was stillfuckingstanding there. Looking concerned and angry rather than frightened or appalled, like she should be.
“Iamlooking at you,” Evie said. “I’ve been looking at you for days. Who do you think changed your bandages?”
So ithadbeen her. Natalya’s nails dug into the table.
“Did anyone else see me?”
Evie shook her head. “Aleksander wanted to, but I stopped him.”
Natalya laughed. Quietly at first, and then it turned mad with pain. “Really?”
“Drago helped. A little.” Evie shifted her weight back and forth. “They came by the first night, but they haven’t been back since. No one’s been here other than me. I assumed you didn’t want anyone to see you.”
“You assumed right.”
The pain was getting worse. It was getting harder to stay standing. Natalya leaned her full weight against the table, nearly collapsing.
“What do you need, Natalya?” Evie was by her side. Not touching her, but she was so close Natalya could feel her body heat. “Tell me, and I’ll do it.”
“I can’t ask that of you.”
“You can.” Evie touched her Chain pendant. “This means you can. It means I want you to.”
She was too insistent. Too genuine. Natalya believed her. That was the most stunning thing of all. The most frightening.
Though she knew Evie didn’t like when she did it, Natalya focused enough that she could feel what Evie did. Sense her emotions. She noticed worry. Relief. Some annoyance and a little fear.
No trepidation. No doubt.
This wasn’t wise. It was dangerous. They shouldn’t. But Natalya had no energy to deny Evie’s willing offer of herself. All she could do was try to make her step away on her own.
“It won’t be like the other times.” Natalya’s voice was strained from the effort of keeping herself in control. “I can’t be gentle with you.”
Evie swallowed, and Natalya sensed a smoldering desire grow in her. It was faint. A drop of water to her dehydration.
“I can handle it,” Evie said.
“I’ll tear your clothes to pieces. I’ll leave bruises. It’ll be painful. And I won’t be able to stop until I’m satiated. It’s not safe.”
Evie drew in a tight breath, and Natalya sighed in relief. The words would dissuade her. She’d back off. She’d realize Natalya wasn’t what she wanted or needed.
But then Evie moved closer.
“I trust you.” Her desire grew, alluring and inviting. Impossible to ignore.
She leaned in so close Natalya could feel her breath on her skin. Light and nervous. Wanting. Her proximity was rapidly disintegrating Natalya’s last remaining willpower.
Then Evie brushed her fingers through Natalya’s hair.
“Take me, Mistress.”
Chapter 32
