From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Once again, my attempts to throw him out are frustrated by his strength.

“How rude.” His amused tone makes my blood boil. “You didn’t even invite me in to talk.”

“Ladies don’t invite men to their chambers.”

I lift my chin as he seems to ponder my words.

You’re no lady.” He steps back. “Anyway, I’m not interested in seeing your room.”

“Didn’t look that way a moment ago,” I say with mockery, crossing my arms under my chest. “In fact, I hear.

His brow furrows in a scowl.

“Me? Entering ladies‘ rooms? I’m offended.”

The way he says it makes me question whether he’s joking or genuinely insulted.

“Yes, more specifically, Mavka’s chambers.”

you

C

entering ladies!

rooms.”

Now his face twists into an expression of utter disgust. His lips curl back, revealing his fangs, and his eyes flash gleam I’ve seen more times than I’d like.

with that

disturbing,

”

almost sadistic

Involuntarily, I take a step back, and he uses the opportunity to step forward, making me feel cornered.

“I would never go to her chambers, much less lie with her,” he spits. “I would never sleep with a human.”

“Forgive me if I doubt that.” I don’t know where this boldness is coming from. “I’m sure you love doing just that–lying with them and using all of us like whores.”

your feeders, defiling

“Is that what you think I do?” His hand moves to my throat, catching me there and caressing the base where my racing pulse throbs. “If that’s what you think, then tomorrow I’ll show you how I use you.”

“What?”

My voice comes out nearly strangled.

“Tomorrow night you’ll come with me outside the castle.” He pulls away as quickly as he came close. His eyes flick down to the dress. “Wear something more daring. Don’t forget, after all, you are my whore.”

He leaves without giving me a chance to reply, slamming the door so hard the sound echoes in my bones. I almost see dust fall from the doorframe.

All the comfort I got from the bell not ringing goes entirely to waste. Now I’m more sure than ever that Cassian will feed on me tomorrow night- possibly drain me dry. Dry enough to kill me.

All night long, I had been begging the sun not to rise, for this night to be eternal and not give way to the following day. It was in vain, because like every day, the first rays of the sun broke through, prompting the castle staff to begin their duties. The Diluted, as always, are in charge of the guards. All of this stili feels strange to me, and I can’t grasp many things, no matter how many books I read. Sometimes I wonder how I could have been so blind, so unwilling to see what surrounded me, so resigned to my fate that I never longed to learn more about this world we’ve been dragged into. I simply existed, and when I was old enough to understand things, I accepted them and waited for my end.

Suspended in a sort of limbo, I watch the flame of the candle resting on the solid wooden desk near the balcony. I suspect Clarissa and Naida open it when I’m not around, in order to air out the room, but then close it again out of fear that I might do something reckless.

“You seem a little lost.”

I jump in my seat, bringing my hands to my chest as if that could ease the scare. Ank appears flickering among the flames of the candle, walking on tiptoe with her tiny feet and her hair floating in every direction.

“What are you doing here?” I approach her. I thought you lived in the library.”

A high–pitched giggle escapes her.

“I live in the flames,” she sings as she dances around the candle. “I go where there is fire, though it’s true I prefer the library. And what about you? What are you doing here? You’ve spent more than a week going down there–it felt strange not seeing you.”

I’d rather not leave my room today.”

“I could have sworn you weren’t afraid of him.”

1/2

12:19 PM

Chapter 23

Confused, I furrow my brows and purse my lips. I shake my head from side to side.

“He terrifies me,” I confess with resignation. “From the very beginning. He’s evil, cruel, a narcissist and a depraved man.”

“I must admit he is all of that.”

“Not to mention his reputation,” I continue. “No feeder survives long with him.”

She sits on the edge of the candle, her legs dangling over the side, swinging back and forth. She’s those enormous fiery eyes. It’s fascinating to see how the flames live within them.

very endearing to look at, with her tiny figure and

W

“It’s not that I want to defend him,” she says timidly, “but I must say that they don’t exactly try hard to survive either. Cassian provides comforts to all–you just need a bit of survival instinct.”

“What does that mean?”

“If you know an animal is dangerous, don’t provoke it, because it’ll most likely bite or attack you. If you know Cassian is an irascible man, don’t awaken his anger. And if you make sure to stay healthy, nothing should go wrong. What happens is that most of the young girls behave stupidly, fall for him, and try everything to gain his affection, not knowing that he truly feels disgusted by the human race. Really, if it weren’t for necessity, he wouldn’t be near a human being.”

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