conquest. You do not belong to me like the spoils of a campaign. I am an ancient and fearsome tyrant. I know the difference.” He tilted her head up to look at him, and she tried to avoid meeting his gaze. “Look at me.”
She finally gave in. “You have said frequently that I am yours. What is that, if not the battle cry of the invading force?”
He smirked as she used his own words against him. “You are mine, Maxine. Make no mistake. But you asked me once what I would give you in return for all that I demand of you. I gave you my heart, and you have given me yours. You gave me your body last night, and I gave you mine in return. Did I not repay you adequately? If not, I am happy to make amends.” He purred as he lowered his lips to her ear, nipping at the lobe.
She slapped at his chest and took a step away. “Terrible.”
He laughed and bowed. “Hello. I am pleased to meet you.”
She shook her head and turned away, mostly to hide her smile. “Tell me, if I were to refuse you—what would you do?”
Hands settled on her shoulders. “I would not force you, if that is your concern.”
“Would you kill me? If I wanted to lie with another instead—”
He growled. One arm banded around her, yanking her against his chest. The other hand slipped between the folds of the silk robe to press against her bare lower back, his fingers splayed wide. “I would demand to know what they could give you that I cannot.”
She gasped but found herself slinging an arm behind his neck as he caressed her, his hand wandering over her body. “What if I—”
“No. None shall have you but me. None shall taste you but my lips or the grave. I am a jealous and covetous thing, my darling Maxine. Do not tempt my wrath. Are you curious for another?”
“I am testing the edges of the chains you have me wear.”
“You wear no chains. Yet.” He growled into her shoulder, pulling the robe away to kiss her there. “Someday, you will. And you will beg me for more.”
She shuddered and shut her eyes. He was all-consuming, and she hungered for it. If he would have her now, she would happily agree.
But he sighed heavily and released her, stepping away. “We do not have time for this, I fear. I have much to do. Come, I have brought you here to bathe.”
She blinked at his sudden absence, disappointed. She looked to him, and he was walking to a large metal tub that looked as though it had been recently installed. There was no need for such things in a public library, after all.
Copper tubes ran up from the floor to spigots that poured over the edge. Following him, she reached out to touch the pipes. He gently nudged her hand away. “One of them is quite hot. Do not scald yourself.” He turned the valves, and she watched as water poured into the tub. Placing her hand under it, she discovered he was right—hot running water.
“How?”
“I have had such marvels in my possession for a long time. What I do is not magic, Miss Parker. It is science not yet understood by the modern mortal. Although I believe this particular amenity is starting to enter usage.”
She sat on the edge of the tub and swirled her hand in the water. She had not enjoyed a hot bath in a long time. She was eager for it. When the level was high enough, he turned off the spigots and walked to the door. “There is clothing on the table for you here. I will be outside. Breakfast will be ready soon.”
She was mildly surprised—and a little disappointed—that he did not stay.
He grinned wickedly. “It would defeat the purpose of your bath if I did.” He left the room then, shutting the door behind him.
Terrible.
“I know.” He called from the other side. “You needn’t continue to remind me.”
She laughed.
The bath and the food had been wonderful. She felt more put together than she had since the whole ordeal began. The clothing he had given her was lovely. He had even provided her more comfortable shoes and a proper coat.
He was oddly thoughtful.
Now they stood on a balcony overlooking the city. It had not existed before, but neither did most of the building she had walked through to arrive here. It was twisting together with a memory