Page 58 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

“Don’t be so biased.”

“I never am.”

Mikhail’s eyes gleamed. “Don’t be biased towards me.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

He traced her face with his gaze, and her stomach fluttered. “Since you’ve returned to the Hospital, I’ve sensed something different in you.”

Different?Like her discontent at having struck a deal with a nymph, which she wasn’t exactly eager to fulfil? No, Mikhail couldn’t know. If he had figured it out, he would have locked her in a dungeon by now.

“You don’t believe I can be your friend,” he said.

She was relieved he hadn’t discovered her intentions, but she immediately bristled at his words. He claimed he could be herfriend?

A friend who wanted to control her?

A friend who refused to share anything about himself but demanded she tell him everything?

“You don’t believe thatIbelieve in you. You think I do everything because you’re the Oracle, but I believe inyou. In Amelia,” he said.

She pressed her lips together. No, she really didn’t believe him.

“I included you in the Council because I genuinely think you belong there.”

Amelia waved dismissively. “Thanks.”

A shadow passed over his face. “But I was also angry, because I knew that once you joined the Council, I’d have to give you up.”

Amelia’s brows knitted together. “Give me up?”

“I’m not sure I could handle all the attention you’ll get as the Oracle. I could become too jealous, too dominant…” He trailed off, his jaw tightening. “So I decided it would be better if there was nothing more between us than friendship.”

Amelia knew there could be nothing between them, but his words heated her cheeks. It wasn’t enough he had humiliated her in the meeting room. It seemed he felt it necessary to also clarify that he didn’t want her.

She quickly shook off the thought and squared her shoulders. “Fine, Mikhail. I don’t—”

“But then I changed my mind. I realised I can’t stand being so close to you and not allow myself to touch you.”

Before she could fully process his words, his hands were already on her hips, the warmth of his touch sending a jolt through her. Her eyes widened in surprise. That day in the meeting room, he had both excited and chilled her to the bone, and now he wanted to pick up where they had left off, as if nothing had happened?

Her eyebrows shot up in defiance. “And why would you think I’m okay with you touching me?”

Mikhail’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Because I recognise the reactions of your body. I know what you want.”

Amelia’s jaw clenched, and she placed her hands on his, gripping them tightly before pushing them away. “You’re wrong.”

“The problem is, I don’t believe that.” Mikhail smirked, his confidence unshaken. “You’ve just become immortal. The first hundred years are like a second adolescence – unstable, full of discoveries, and desires awakening for the first time. Soon, you’ll start feeling those needs, and when you do, I’ll be the one who can satisfy them.”

His audacity made her lift her chin. Did he really think he could decide for her? Including who would satisfy her so-called “needs”?

Fine. He may have had centuries of experience, but Amelia had been through hell these past three years and had no intention of bowing to a manticore, no matter how undeniably attractive he was.

“And here I was beginning to think I’d die of tediousness talking about the wind in the forest…” Amelia glanced nonchalantly at her hands as if this entire conversation bored her.

When she snuck a peek at him, Mikhail’s eyes gleamed withamusement. “I’m glad to see your sense of humour is still intact. I was starting to worry you had buried it somewhere deep beneath the concrete façade you’ve built since becoming the Oracle. And I’m also glad you’re enjoying the change in topic because we have a lot more to discuss.”

Amelia tilted her head. “Oh? Like what?”