Page 65 of Bound By the Duke

But it was too late.

When he took a step forward, his pull was undeniable. But she swallowed hard, refusing to be intimidated. She had not been pleased with the way he had scolded her parents. They were nobles as well. He could have at least shown them more respect.

“If you believe I act out of vanity,” he murmured, “then you understand nothing about me.”

Aurelia faltered at those words. Her anger faded. Not because of what he had said, but the way he had said it. As though something had wounded him deeply.

She wanted to keep arguing. She wanted to keep pushing back, to let him know that she didn’t need him to stand over her like a shield, that she wasn’t weak. Yet, she feared that if he came closer, her heart would betray her.

“Don’t twist this. Don’t act like a victim.” She cleared her throat, masking the tremor in her voice.

She tried her best to remain fierce, to remind herself that this was Percival. The man who wanted to run away from her. He had been ignoring her for the past few days, but didn’t hesitate to act like the perfect husband in public.

“What a show off,” she muttered, her thoughts slipping through. “You only do it because I am your wife. Because you would not stand the shame if I faltered.”

He said nothing. His eyes only darkened, the storm gathering in their blue depths evident.

That look alone made her heart race. She was caught between being furious and unsettled. She wanted him to snap back. She wanted him to lose his damned control.

“Why won’t you say something?” she pressed, her voice thick with emotion. “Why don’t you claim you are not some furiousgod trying to fight my battles after treating me like a forgotten prisoner?!” Her voice rose now, sharp as a knife.

But underneath it all, her heart whispered a certain truth she didn’t dare voice. She wanted him to be proud of her, to see her strength and still want her, still stand beside her.

And yet he said nothing.

Her frustration grew. His silence was worse than any insult.

“What now? Afraid to talk? Why are you looking at me like that?” she demanded, her voice shaking slightly.

“Because,” he murmured, stepping closer. “I am—” His eyes slowly fell on her lips, “deciding if I should argue with your stubborn mouth… or silence it.”

A breathless gasp escaped her lips. His words made her stomach flip violently, and a thrill rushed through her veins.

She lifted her chin to glare at him, but he moved forward with deliberate slowness, like a predator cornering its prey.

Something about his proximity made her want to lose control.

“You…” she trailed off, now that he was standing so close.

She took a step back, and he followed, dangerous and unrelenting. Eventually, her back met the wooden door, trapping her successfully before his brooding figure.

“Go on,” he coaxed, standing like violet-drenched steel before her. “Shout at me again.” He leaned to brace his arm beside her head. “Tell me how I wound your ego. Tell me that I do not believe in you. Say it, Aurelia.”

Her throat tightened. His nearness was unbearable. His breath fanned her face, the heat of him seeping through her gown. Every nerve in her body was tingling.

“You cannot,” he whispered, his mouth so close that she felt his breath brush her cheek. “You cannot, because you know your words are false. You know what I am.”

“I know,” she whispered back, “that you do not trust me. That I… That I can never be enough. That I can never be like her. Like the late?—”

But she didn’t finish. She couldn’t. His eyes flashed with an emotion that left her trembling. She knew the meaning of that raw fury.

“You think I compare you?” he growled. “To someone else?”

Her lips parted in shock, scrambling for an answer. But before she could utter a word, his hands wrapped firmly around the delicate column of her throat. Not enough to hurt, but enough tostake a claim. To remind her of the power he held over her, the powershelet him have.

Aurelia gasped softly, her pulse fluttering against his palm. She pressed her thighs together and looked up at him helplessly.

“Listen to me.” Percival’s voice was dark. “You are my Duchess.Mine. And if you dare think otherwise, if you dare believe you are anything less, I will make you forget such thoughts.”