From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Elara

I wake up startled, with the sensation of damp fingers

When I look, I realize I’m gripping something tightly in my hands. I lift them to eye level and see the letter opener, stained with blood. My breath escapes in short bursts. I did it. I stabbed him–and I enjoyed it I liked hearing him hiss in pain, liked having power.

But if that was real, then everything else was too I don’t know why I feel the need to confirm it, but I lower my gaze to my unfastened pants, and a slight movement confirms there’s moisture between my thighs. I blush, remembering what happened. My body doesn’t seem able to resist his Touch, the way he makes me feel

I slide my legs out of bed and take a few minutes to calm down, splash my face with fresh water, and wash my hands, where the blood’s stickiness still clings stubbornly. I scrub, trying to get what’s left from under my nails, and when I’m satisfied, I dry my hands on the fabric of my pants. I sigh and step outside. Daylight still lingers, promising at least a little time free from the Diluted–and most of all, from Eleazar.

I stare at the surface of the water, trying to sort my thoughts and emotions. The physical attraction Cassian exerts over me is undeniable, however. that doesn’t have to mean anything else. My heart is safe, isn’t it? It has to be. I can’t give it to someone like him. He’ll crush it in his hands, twist it, fill it with perversion, and when he decides to return it, it’ll be something deformed, monstrous, broken. If he even has the decency to give it back when he’s done playing.

If I know all of this, why does my head tell me his words are sincere?

“You’re

the only one I’d let break it.

“Come back to me.

Elara.

“What I said wasn’t true–1 want you close

The organ in my chest stirs foolishly at the memory. My eyes well up, and I dig my nails into my palms to hold back the tsunami of emotions. I don’t want to think about how painful his absence is, or the absolute betrayal I felt when I saw him with another, or the ecstasy I felt when I kissed him again. No. I don’t want to, because if I keep thinking. I’ll reach conclusions I’m not ready to face.

“You woke up early”

y mouth dry

at Eleazar’s voice, I see that the sky has darkened. I must’ve been lost in thought longer than I realized I clear my throat, my

1 flinch at

“Elm

I feel his body move closer to mine, and that’s when I finally look him in the eye. He looks regretful, and from the way he shifts his hands with nothing to do with them, he seems nervous too. He scratches the back of his neck and twists his lips before speaking.

“I think I went too far earlier,” he admits. “I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

My fingers grip the wood of the ship. I want to say so many things, but I also don’t want my face to give away more than it should. My dreams- those where I meet Cassian and we touch skin to skin–are mine. Something I don’t want to share with anyone.

“You were right,” I say. “Casian affects me more than I want to admit.”

“No, you don’t need to explain anything.” Eleazar tries to interrupt.

I’m not explaining it to you. I think I’m trying to explain it to myself.” I turn my attention back to the sea. “For as long as I can remember, I was determined to end iny life before the day came when I would belong to a vampire. I was set on it–until Lwasn’t Because of my brothers, I couldn’t condemn them to my fate, so I had no choice but to face it. When Cassian bought me, I was told I’d die quickly, and I was almost grateful for that, Then he began turning our encounters into little games of push and pull, made me burn with rage–made me feel something that wasn’t fear. I guess I became addicted to it, just like I did to those fleeting moments of freedom. It’s pathetic, I know–to grow attached to your captor just because he lets you out of your cage once in a while.

“You’d be surprised how often that happens.”

“I suppose wisn’t love, but it was close enough–for me, at least.”

He steps closer, and his touch on my cheek catches me off guard. He lifts my chin so I don’t avoid his gaze.

“And him? Was it the same for him?”

“How could I possibly know!”

“By the look in his eyes”

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12:25 PM c d

Chapter 106

His eyes are level with mine, molten gold threatening to burn through the gray of mine. We’re so close his scent tickles my nose. His hand slides to the side of my neck and keeps me anchored in his gaze while his thumb softly strokes my cheek.

“Sometimes our lips aren’t able to say the right words–because even we don’t know what we’re feeling” he says, stepping even closer. “But what the mind can’t understand, the heart can. And there’s no door more direct to it than the eyes, Elara

His words throw my heart into a war within my chest–they raise the flag the blue–eyed vampire lifted without permission.

“Are you talking about Cassian, or about yourself?” I ask, my voice trembling.

I know he’s attracted to me. But my mind is consumed entirely by someone else—someone who’s sunk his fangs into my thoughts and won’t let me forget he exius

“Have you thought of me that way!” he replies

“Do you think I’ve had time to? I lean my body against the railing, as if I’m too tired to stay upright on my own. Tm exhausted–physically and mentally. Not a second of my life goes by that he doesn’t dominate it in one way or another. No, I haven’t had time to think of anything else, Eleazar.

it’s one of his gifts.”

“Does he enter your mind? I know it

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