Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
The door slowly opened.
A face peeked from behind, one with swollen eyes. His heart clenched at the sight of it, and it clenched even more when Calys’ voice was hoarse when she said, “It’s very late.”
His teeth gnashed. Goddammit, Calys. Weren’t you the one who told me that warriors didn’t cry? So why was she looking like that? He knew he was being unfair and unreasonable in his anger, but he didn’t give a damn. What he did give a damn about was figuring out a way to stop her tears.
“Didn’t I tell you I don’t want to see you again?”
He breathed hard at those words. It was her second time to tell him that, but it still made his chest constrict, the words choking the life out of him. “You did tell me that.” Green eyes clashed with blue. “But I’m choosing not to listen. Are you going to let me in or not?”
“Whatever you have to say—-”
He snarled, “Is it true then?” His hand slammed against the wall, making her flinch as the cement cracked under his skin. “Are you looking for another fiancé?”
She paled. “Where did you hear that?”
“Answer the question,” he roared.
She cried out, “Yes!”
“Why the fuck would you do that?” he shouted back. “You already have me—-”
“No, I don’t. You’re no longer my Cavaliere—-”
“I am and I will be your damn Cavaliere for as long as I choose to—-”
“I don’t need you anymore, okay?” Her voice broke, but this time he didn’t feel pity. All he could feel was jealousy, rage, and desperation, and all three emotions had one objective: to make her realize that what she was saying wasn’t true. She needed him. She goddamn needed him as much as he had just realized he needed her.
And it should be enough.
Need should be enough.
Calys was shaking her head. “I don’t want to talk to you anymore—-”
When she tried to close the door – that was it.
Alejandro’s control snapped.
He snaked one hand in, firmly but gently pushing her to the wall as he kicked the door open. She let out a gasp, her shocked gaze flying to her guards. “Aren’t you going to do something?” she demanded shrilly.
“We have been told by the Prince not to interfere in your personal affairs, Your Highness,” one of the guards replied flatly.
The words had Alejandro laughing, but it was a humorless sound and it didn’t stop him from picking up a thrashing Calys in his arms. Kicking the door shut, Alejandro carried his struggling hellcat into the room.
He threw her to the bed and followed her right after, not giving her a single second to escape. His body crashed down on hers, and he felt Calys freeze under him when his bulging erection throbbed directly against her wet heat.
Her face was red with ill-concealed desire, her eyes hazy, and her voice weak as she said, “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
Looking down at her, he said in a hard voice, “I can’t believe you thought you could get rid of me that easily.” Alejandro expected her to protest, but instead Calys looked stricken.
She whispered, “Of course I can.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, looking like she had a hard time speaking. “You taught me that when you did the same to me.”
Alejandro whitened. “I never wanted to get rid of you, Princess.” His voice was rough with regret. “I just wanted you to see that what we have is more than what most people could ever dream of having in a goddamn lifetime. They could be reborn again and again, but not everyone can have what we have.”
His hand shook as his knuckles brushed against her soft, tear-stained cheek. “What we have is a rational need for each other, an understanding that’s not blinded by logic—-”
Calys let out a teary laugh. “Do you hear what you’re saying? Do you really hear what you’re saying, Alejandro? That’s love. That’s love, but without the L-word.”
He said unflinchingly, “You can think what you want to think about it, but just know I will never give you the words, not in public, not in private, not ever.”
Calys didn’t answer right away.
And just when he thought she wouldn’t ever answer, she said in a pained whisper, “Do you know how much you make me want to say yes? I was raised to value myself, but you make me want to be good with second best.” She choked on the last words, and her lips started to tremble. “But I don’t want to. I can’t. I owe myself more than that, and that’s why I’m better off marrying someone else, someone who’s at least willing to try—-”
Alejandro’s vision went black as the full import of her words sank in. The image of Calys marrying another man, of another man claiming her body, ravaged his brain, and his entire body shook in wrath. His fingers curled around her hair, tightening in a symbol of possession as he growled down at her, “Never.”