Page 10 of First Offense

There you are, I thought, picking up on the subtle hint of cherry blossoms.Mmm, it seems Zian was right. You managed to convince Auric to let you out for some fresh air. Well, welcome to the yard, little blossom.

I didn’t look at her, not right away. Instead, I allowed my senses to roam over every alluring inch of her body, my mind functioning as my hands.

I’d caught her scent the moment she’d stepped into the hallway last week.Ideal matepractically wafted off her in waves. That she stood beside Auric only added to her allure.

Because I sure as fuck wanted a piece of him. Preferably a bloody one, or ten, that I could feast upon while his soul slowly withered away to nothing.

I’d wait until he made the first move.

Then I’d show him what a century of prison life had taught me. Because unlike the Nora Warriors, Noir fought dirty. There was no sense of duty or honor here. Just death and survival of the fittest.

“You finally came out to play, Princess,” a voice cooed from across the yard.

I peeked at the imbecile, curious to see which Noir had the balls to try to approach the royal. The hairs along the princess’s arms danced, her mouth curling down into a frightened frown that seemed to heighten her scent.

Both my eyes opened, my own lips curling down to match hers.

Auric appeared unfazed, his expression one of astute boredom.Oh, come on, now. You won’t really let that dick touch her, will you?I wondered at him, fully aware that he couldn’t actually hear me.

Then I caught the subtle tick in his jaw, and my frown dissolved into a smirk.

That’s what I thought.

“Just watch,” Raven said, interrupting my concentration. I nearly told her to shut it, but she wasn’t done. “You’ll see. She’s going to show her true colors.”

More like Auric is about to show his, I murmured back, but not with my voice. It wasn’t my fault she couldn’t read my mind.

“Why don’t you ditch the shiny toy and get yourself some real protectors? I could show you—” The idiot reached for her, thereby igniting the show.

Auric’s blade whistled through the air with an accuracy I begrudgingly admired, slicing the Noir’s hand clean from his wrist.

I see you’ve stayed on your game,I mused.Nice form.

“Anyone else want to lose a hand, or worse?” Auric called to the crowd, his blue eyes flashing with aggression.

The female beside him paled, the contrast startling against her gorgeous wings. I almost wanted to take Auric up on the offer, if only to be the one to help massage those frown lines from the beauty’s forehead.

I didn’t care what she’d done to earn her black plumes. Her scent around my cock was all I needed. And maybe her plump lips.

“Yeah, I see what you mean,” my cousin drawled. “The princess is absolutely terrifying.”

I ignored him in favor of watching the female wrap her arms around her middle, her shiver visible even from here. Auric sheathed his dagger, then walked up to her side.

“I don’t belong here,” the female whispered, her scent coming to me on a stiff breeze.

I rubbed at my nose, then narrowed my gaze. The stench of royalty surrounded her, that pungent jasmine and rose enough to make me sneeze. I much preferred the cherry blossoms beneath, which fortunately came next.

Zian bumped my shoulder. I glared at him.What?

He studied me.

I studied him.

Then I went back to watching the female. Her eyes caught mine as if she could feel the intensity of my gaze on her.

I didn’t move or react, not wanting to frighten her more. But I caught the subtle flare of interest in her pupils.

Then Auric interrupted the moment by placing his hand low on her back.