Page 17

This man, after this long, still evoked such a reaction from me. And his supermodel ex-girlfriend, with her confidence and poise, had a way of making sure I felt like a little girl playing dress up.

Many people took my small size to mean they could dominate me, only to find out they were sorely mistaken. Yet I couldn’t stop feeling insignificant around her. Like she could wrap him around her finger again with a snap. The thought had my nails growing into my palms, my canine teeth digging into my lip. I was out of control, and that pissed me off. Made me annoyed at her, at myself, and most definitely at Croygen. I didn’t even want to look at him. Though I sensed him behind me, sensed him everywhere. Buzzing at my brain, my skin… my soul.

I did everything to shut it out, to ignore what had to be only in my head, needing to rein myself back in. Take back control. Go back to hating my enemy. The man who killed my father.

“I am all-powerful Sprite-Monkey God!” Sprig snapped my attention back to him. “Who can strike fear into all who came before me.”

Cooper wrenched his shoulder, tossing Sprig off.

“Ahhh!” The monkey fell to the ground, the underwear cape flapping after him as he hit the stone. “How dare you insult your Monkey King like that? You will be cursed!”

“Someone put him on mute before I use the rodent’s tail as a noose,” Croygen stated.

Annabeth scooped him up, opening a granola bar.

“Oh, honeyhoneyhoneyhoney!” He grappled for the treat. “Givemegivemegiveme!” Shoving a huge chunk in his mouth, he pointed at us. “I woll wurse you wall… waiter,” Sprig garbled through his food, shoving in more until he looked like a chipmunk.

“Think it’s time for the King’s nappy-poo,” Croygen grumbled, his deep voice making me tense up every time he spoke, as if he continued to break through the walls I was placing between us. I forbade myself to think of the other night, pretending it didn’t happen. Nor would I even entertain all the strange moments since. I didn’t know what was happening to me, and I wanted it all to go away.

Go back to before he fucked me over a saddle.

“Want my cock in your pussy, kitten?”

His heat instantly doused me in flames, my mind eager to revisit those memories, my body even more willing for a repeat. The way he felt driving deeper in me, how frenzied I felt, how out of control.

“I need to fuck you deeper. To feel my cock inside you for decades to come. To know it’s mine.”

My thighs clenched and my core pulsed, disgust roiling through my head. Images of my father bombarded me with shame. Through the years, his face had become hazy and distant. It scared me that one day I might forget completely, unable to recall his laugh or voice. As if pardoning Croygen would make him disappear, like he wasn’t important enough to fight for.

A strangled cry yanked me from my thoughts, and I saw Annabeth stumble, watching her feet tangle under her as she tumbled to the ground.

“Anna!” Croygen and Cooper both went for her, her mate getting to her first.

“Babe.” His hands and eyes went over her, searching for any more injuries. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.” She flinched as she sat up. Her shoulder had hit the hardest, her body twisting, ensuring she kept Sprig safe. The monkey was fast asleep in her hands. “I just tripped over a rock.”

She lied. We all knew it. She was getting weaker, but her stubborn side wanted to keep up with us. To not slow us down, though all it did was diminish her energy.

Squatting next to her, Croygen tried to hide his anguish, his grief, but I swear I felt it, thick and heavy in the air.

“Let’s camp here.” Croygen rubbed her back with one hand, using his flashlight to examine the area. “Get something to eat and rest before starting out again.”

“I’m fine. We can keep going.” Annabeth pulled from their grips, her brows furrowed, trying to get up.

“I’m not,” Croygen huffed. “My ass is tired. Remember, I’m ancient.” I knew what he was doing. We all did, including AB, but we pretended we didn’t.

“Plus, I’m starving,” Cooper added.

“You’re always hungry.” AB laughed.

“Yes, I am.” Cooper’s eyes heated, glowing a reddish color, his tongue sliding over his bottom lip as he stared at her meaningfully. The sexual chemistry and connection between them had me turning away, wanting some space from all of them—especially Croygen.

More embarrassment slipped over my cheeks now that I was aware Amara had been there when we were under the cot and knew what was happening between us. Though she probably assumed he was getting off to thoughts of her, using me only because I was there. And maybe he was. Somewhere in his reptilian brain did he know it was her too and was actually thinking of her?

Was he still in love with her?

You don’t care, Kat. Once you get the nectar to Batara, get your crew and ship back, you get as far away from the Silver Tongue Devil as you can.