Page 119 of Fall of Ruin and Wrath

“But I was not born,” he interrupted, brows furrowed.

“That shouldn’t mean . . .” I trailed off, staring at him. My lips parted as what he’d said earlier that day in my chambers struck me— the lack of humanity. A lot of things fell under that, going beyond just caring for another. Being understanding did. Thoughtful. Considerate. Without humanity, there was just . . . “Logic.”

“Logic?” he repeated.

I shook my head. “Deminyens operate on logic and not emotion?”

He seemed to think that over. “That would be somewhat accurate.”

But logic was cold, and he wasn’t that. “Last night you asked me to join you in the tub. You didn’t just assume that is what I wanted.”

“I knew that was what you wanted,” he said, and my eyes narrowed. “But I sensed your nervousness— the skip in your breath was part uncertainty and part arousal.”

“Can we just stop saying ‘arousal’ for the rest of our lives?”

“Why?” The blue of his eyes lightened. “Because the truth of how you feel around me bothers you?”

“Maybe— oh, I don’t know— I don’t need you pointing it out every five seconds?”

His chin dipped. “So you do acknowledge that you are aroused by me.”

I opened my mouth.

“I have this distinct feeling you’re going to lie,” he said, a hint of smile playing across his lips. “And claim that you will not enjoy your time with me.”

“Whether or not I will doesn’t matter. You shouldalwaysask.”

“Why?”

“Whywhat?”

“Why when we both already know what is wanted?”

Blowing out an aggravated breath, I desperately clung to my waning patience. “Because you shouldn’t assume that will never change. It can. It can change at any second for various reasons.”

“Hmm.” The sound hummed from him as his gaze flicked over me. “I suppose then I must endeavor to ensure that doesn’t change.”

My lips pursed. “That wasn’t the point I was getting at.”

“It’s not?”

I sighed, twisting the laces on the gown. “I feel like we’re speaking two different languages.”

That half grin appeared as he finished off his wine. “So,na’laa,would you like to join me this evening and upon my return?”

I glared at him.

“What?” Somehow he was closer, less than a foot from me. “I’m doing as you requested. I’m asking.”

“And why are you asking now?”

“Because it is important to you that I do so.”

Surprised, I felt my eyes widen slightly. “Yeah, well, it’s a little too late for that since you’ve kidnapped me.”

Prince Thorne chuckled. “You are not kidnapped nor captive. If you wish to leave . . .” he said, lifting a hand. His fingers closed over mine. I looked down, momentarily consumed by the fact that our hands were touching, and I felt . . . I heard and felt nothing that wasn’t my own. He stilled my fingers, drawing my gaze back to his. “I will not stop you, Calista. I am not . . .” A slight frown appeared.

“You’re not what? Like other Hyhborn?”