“I’m preparing you for it,” he said, catching my fist again with ease and shoving me backward.
I charged him with a growl and almost clocked his face, only to find myself pinned yet again by his arms. Dropping low, I went for his knees and grunted as my back hit the ground. Cyrus landed on top of me with ease, his hands catching my wrists above my head.
My chest heaved beneath him, exerted from the impromptu battle. Yet he wasn’t even sweating. The damn fae barely seemed fazed at all!
“I fucking hate you,” I told him, squirming in earnest and not moving his body a fucking inch. Gah! “I wish they’d taken you instead of Exos!”
“Me, too,” he admitted softly. “I wish it every day, but it’s a waste of time and energy. What we need to do is find him.”
“Then find him,” I snapped. “Stop wasting my time with all this bullshit and look for him.”
“I’m not wasting your time, Claire.”
“Like hell you’re not,” I seethed, writhing beneath him to drive the point home. “Calling me a whore, telling me I’m not worthy, and criticizing—”
His mouth sealed over mine, silencing me.
I was so shocked at first that I didn’t react, my brain frying beneath the onslaught of power in that single brush of his lips.
What…?
No.
I bit him. Hard. Irate that he thought to take such a liberty with me.
He hissed, his grip tightening on my wrists.
“Fuck you,” I snarled. “If this is your way of proving I’m a whore, then seriously, fuck you.”
He had the good grace to look chagrined, but only for a second. And the asshole still didn’t move. “I followed Mortus last night into the death fields. I think that’s where he’s keeping my brother. But what you need to understand is those grounds harbor tortured souls who play on fears and are notoriously degrading. They thrive on making a fae feel so small that he wishes for death. All the tormenting thoughts you’ve had about yourself will come to life out there. Consider my words an introduction to the experience.”
He finally released me, popping to his feet before I could try to hit him again.
“I don’t think you’re a whore, little queen. But I know all about the social standards on Earth and how they’ve programmed your mind. Don’t let the death fields use those thoughts against you, or you may never recover.” He straightened his jacket, his stance stiff. “We leave in an hour.”
I gaped after him, deflated.
That had all been a test? No, a preparation of sorts. Including the kiss?
What the hell?
I shook my head, dazed.
Why does your brother have to be such a fucking dick? I asked Exos. I mean, for fuck’s sake!
Of course, he didn’t reply.
I ran my hand over my face. Only then did I feel it—the stirring of another bond. A seduction of sorts, my element reacting to a potential match. The liquid sensation settled over me, followed by a bolt of horror as I realized what had just occurred.
That hadn’t been any ordinary kiss.
No.
Cyrus had just tied me to him under stage one of the courtship.
Fuck!
Cyrus