Page 50 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

She snorts, rolling her eyes. “Your arrogance is astounding, brother. You really think your cock is that impressive?”

“Such language for a lady.” She flips me off as I laugh, eyes darting back to the lonely tent. “And it won’t be just my cock to convince her. I’ll make her fall in love with me.”

It should be easy enough. She’s uncomfortable with attention, not used to being desired. I’ve seen it in our interactions.

Given her blood magic, it would make sense. Simple men would be terrified for her and that could play into my game. A few kind words, passionate touches and the sheltered woman would fall into my hands, all too eager to leave with me.

Has any man seen that delectable body under her heavy cloaks and sharp tongue? My beast rises in my mind, roaring along with my sudden lust. A possessiveness consumes me, only tempered with the realization I’ll be tricking her into loving a monster.

Swallowing the wine, I try to erase the bitterness on my tongue.

There are always casualties in war.

Reid mumbles something under his breath, but I ignore it. Mybrother is too sensitive for this world, seeing the good in everything, always being hopeful.

He’s never been on the receiving end of our father’s temper. He doesn’t know the risk we face in not procuring this for him.

Placing a hand on Fee’s jumping knee, I shake her slightly. “I’ll be fine, Fee,” I assure her. “We’ll all be.”

Because that’s what her irritation boils down to— her worry over our safety and the precarious control I have over the curse that weights down my soul.

“You can’t make that promise,” she mutters, biting her bottom lip.

“I can and I do.”

Glancing once more to the advisor’s tent, I solidify my resolve.

Max will fall in love with me. Even if I have to force her.

Chapter 18

Max

Ripping covers from my body, I sit up with a shriek, cold air chilling my bones. Taylay stands there, smiling, my rough sewn blanket in one hand, my daggers and belt in the other.

He tosses them on to my lap, the weight knocking the breath from my lungs.

“Good. You’re awake.”

“Are you fucking serious?” I ask, tossing the belt to the side as I roll over. Forget the blanket, I’ll deal without it. “It’s still dark out.”

Tsking, Tay steps close, tugging the hay stuffed pillow from under my head as I growl.

Glancing up, he has the decency to smirk.

Smirk.

“Taylay,” I say quietly, throat dry, scar aggravating my neck.

“Yes?”

“Are you trying to end up dead before your bonding?” One eye twitches. “I really don’t want to hurt Cully by killing his true love, but I swear to whatever God is listening, you’re pushing it. Give me back my blanket and pillow and walk away.Slowly.”

“You know,” he begins, dropping my daggers back into my lap. “It’s well past dawn. This close to the forest, the daylight doesn’t shine on us.”

“Then how do you know?”

He taps his mind. “Blackwoods Coven Witches rise with the dawn. Now,” he taps my nose and I swat at him, annoyed. “We’ve slacked on your training. I figured with all the travel, being around all these people with no reprieve, you might need some exertion to help the control.”