Page 28 of First Offense

A bathroom was situated in the opposite corner, the shower and toilet open, causing me to glance knowingly at Layla.

Which earned me a growl from Auric. “Stop. Looking.”

I finally met his seething blue eyes and arched a brow.And just what are you going to do about it?I asked him without speaking.

His knuckles popped as he fisted his hands at his sides.

Sayir didn’t put me in here to play nice. All those words about guarding the princess were utter bullshit. He had something maniacal up his sleeve, and the darling princess was the key.

That was what he’d called her to Raven, anyway. It’d initially been my cause of intrigue. Although, now, my interest had grown to a whole new level.

Compatible mate.

I’d never desired a mate for myself, but this one certainly held a viable appeal. Maybe I’d claim her. Maybe I wouldn’t. But I would absolutely fuck her. And not just because I wanted her, but because it would piss off Auric.

Double win.

I supposed I could inform Auric of what I knew. That would be the gentlemanly thing to do. The loyal warrior way. Except that part of me had died a long time ago. Right along with his chivalry, apparently.

“You used to obey me once,” Auric said. “You will again.”

I grunted.Not going to fucking happen, I told him with a look.

“Auric,” Layla said, her tone gentle and reassuring and completely at odds with the tension in the room. “It’s done. There’s nothing we can do about it now.”

“Don’tAuricme,” he growled, glancing at me.

Too late,I told him with my gaze.I’m fully aware of your mutual attraction.

He wasn’t telling me to back off her for protective reasons so much as possessive need. He wanted her. Which was precisely why I would take her from him.

Ah, sweet, sweet revenge. I couldn’t fucking wait.

I winked at her, then grinned as she curled her arms around her deliciously bare midriff. Hiding wouldn’t disguise her scent, and we both knew she was interested.

Not just in me, though. But in Auric, too.

Poor girl was trapped in a cell with two compatible mates. The same thing had happened to Raven. Sorin and Zian hadn’t waited more than a few weeks to claim her.

Auric might just have the strength to avoid the pull.

And while I might as well, that didn’t mean I would.

Why resist the sweet cherry in the corner? She might even be a virgin, and how delicious would that feel around my cock?

I deserved a treat.

I’d put up with this asinine political shit for over a century, done everything I could to earn back my white wings while living in perpetual purgatory.

So yeah. If there was no way up, then I might as well keep Falling. And wouldn’t it be so much more fun with that stunning female by my side?

I drew in a long, deep breath, enjoying her musk of cherry blossoms and allowing her to see the interest in my gaze.

Which thoroughly pissed off Auric. He pulled out his blade and had it to my throat a second later, his hard body up against mine as he pinned me to the post of one of the bunks.

I smiled at him. “Just like old times,” I said, my voice soft with memory.

“Fuck you.”