garden that hadn't been there moments before. I stared around me warily as the scenery continued to change. In the center of a grassy lawn, an expanse of green stone surfaced, and trees drew back from it to cluster around the edges of the courtyard, growing tall enough to block out the sight of the rest of Vaelestra.
Vaelestra, RS huffed. It sounds like a pill for erectile dysfunction.
I bit back my laughter, then breathed in deeply. The strong, salty breeze had been replaced by a soft whisper of air, scented with honeysuckle and jasmine. The tree canopy hung over the courtyard, painting patterns with sunlight, and exotic flowers grew at the base of the trunks, some as tall as I was. Hummingbirds flew in and out of the fluted blossoms, adding movement to the landscape.
In the center of the courtyard, a grand table appeared with only two chairs at one end. A crystal statue of birds served as a centerpiece, and exquisite pieces of china lay before the seats. Lucien held out a chair for me. I sat down, watching him the whole time, and once I was settled, he took the seat to my left—the head of the table.
“I'm not going to bite,” Lucien teased me and snapped his fingers.
Food appeared on our plates—steak oozing blood, grilled asparagus, and fried potatoes. My stomach grumbled despite the rareness of the meat.
Lucien smiled. “Enjoy your lunch.”
What is this fucker up to now? RS hissed. We just came from a Satanic ritual that your lovers interrupted and now he wants to eat lunch like Rhett fucking Butler?
I took a bite, chewed, and swallowed before I repeated her question, “What are you up to?”
“Worried that I might try to manipulate you?” He lifted a brow at me.
“No. I'm worried that this might be poisoned.”
“Would it kill you if it was?” he countered.
“Probably not,” I admitted. “But I still don't want to be poisoned.” I softened my voice to add, “Or drugged.”
“Yes, I saw those memories in Lucifer's head.” His eyes went hot with desire. “You are quite the little hellcat in bed. And on the floor and against the wall.”
I clenched my teeth and looked away.
“I'm sorry,” he actually sounded contrite. “That wasn't... I shouldn't have said that.”
I looked up at him in surprise... and even more suspicion.
“You do know that Lucifer was as hurt as you were by that, don't you?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “I know he felt guilty.”
“Guilty?” Lucien cocked his head at me. “He didn't feel guilty for what someone else forced him to do. He felt pain for hurting you. He felt regret and shame.” He grimaced. “The fucking pussy.”
“And then you say that,” I muttered.
“Lucifer is weak,” Lucien growled as he leaned a forearm on the table. “If I had been there, I would have taken what was done to us and owned it. I would have reveled in the chance to fuck you savagely. And when we were freed, I would have held you until you understood that what we'd done was real, and now that I'd had you, I was never letting go again. That you couldn't take it back or turn it into something disgusting because of a drug.”
“It was the drug that made us behave like that!” I snapped.
“Was it?” He purred as he leaned closer. “Maybe on some level it was, but there was a point where other men tried to rape you and what did Lucifer do?”
I blinked. “He...”
“He killed them,” Lucien said as if it were the only thing Lucifer had done that he approved of. “Even under the influence of that drug, he knew who you were and what you meant to him. And if he knew that, Elaria, you knew it as well.”
I blanched.
Don't let him get into your head! RS shouted. He's fucking with you again.
You're right. I straightened my shoulders. This is just another form of torture. This is the punishment he spoke of.
But what happened to his vow that he doesn't care about your heart? Kyanite mused. If he didn't care, why would he want to hold you and make you understand that what happened was real?
I couldn't form a response because Lucien started speaking again.
“You weren't upset because the drug made you fuck him,” he whispered, drawing even closer, close enough to kiss. “You were upset because you liked it. Because you dream of it still. Because you can't stop craving the feel of his body pounding into yours. The way his hands ran over your