He didn’t release my face.
Instead, he rubbed his wide chest against my back and purred, “Seriously, who am I killing?”
I leaned back against him and swayed.
“No one.” I sighed. “I slapped myself because I was trying to feel something. Sadly, it didn’t work. I’ll make sure to use a shovel next time.”
Warm breath fanned against the side of my face, and for a long moment, we swayed to the music in a toxic imitation of dancing.
One began where the other ended.
“You’re a shit liar, Arabella,” he said harshly in my ear.
I slammed my elbow back into his sternum. “My name is not Arabella. It’s Aran.”
Instead of letting me go like I’d planned, Scorpius moaned and jerked his hips against my ass.
Hardness pressed against me.
He curled his one hand around my face so his fingernails pressed against my skin in five pinpricks of pain. He palmed my core with his other hand.
Fire exploded down my spine.
I whimpered.
“If you wanted it rough, you just had to ask.” His hips swayed against me faster, in time with the music. He clutched my pussy through my sweatpants like it belonged to him.
Arousal pooled inside my stomach.
Male and female students shot me dirty glares, and it took me a second to remember that everyone at the academy had Stockholm syndrome over the kings.
They were all deranged.
Not me.
Nope, I had my head screwed on straight and a crystal-clear understanding that the three of them were psychopaths.
In fact, I was so intelligent that I was letting one of them publicly fondle me. Slay （in the sexual sense）。
I sucked on my remaining three pipes.
Desire flamed hotter.
“The problem is,” I whispered as I melted back against Scorpius, “I fucking hate you.”
His grip on my core tightened. Fingers massaging.
I shuddered.
My hips jerked against his hold.
Scorpius nuzzled the side of my face and breathed harshly into my ear. Goose bumps exploded across my skin, and I shivered violently.
“Don’t worry, Arabella, I forgive you for your cruel words.” He tightened his hands and a spasm fluttered through me.
I pressed my thighs together and said weakly, “Release me.”
“But you don’t want me to.” He laughed, and the sound was filthy.
My voice dripped with frost. “But I’m telling you to, and you’re not listening. Some Protector you are.”
He released me like I’d burned him. He stepped away, and his expression was dark. “I’ll always protect you. Don’t you dare question that.”
I scoffed.
Ignored the wetness between my legs.
“You tortured me when I was a man and when I was a woman. Turns out you’re an equal opportunist piece of shit. How progressive.” I clapped mockingly, and manic chuckles burst from my throat. “Also, you are literally the opposite of a Protector. You’re a cruel, insecure bully.”
It was just so funny.
I sucked harder on my pipes, and everything became a little hazy.
Scorpius remained in harsh focus.
Shadows filled hollow cheeks, cheekbones glinted razor-sharp, unseeing, milky white eyes narrowed, and full lips curled back.
Something new flashed across his features, and his mask cracked. “What do you need from me?” His teeth clicked as he gnashed them. “How do I fix how terrible we’ve been? I understand now how horrible the things are that you’ve gone through.” He choked on the last word like he couldn’t say anything more.
What did he mean?
Why does he now understand?
“You can’t,” I whispered with confusion. “It’s too far gone.”
He flexed his hands.
Tilted his head to the side and slowly fell to his knees.
“What are you doing?” I gaped down at him. “Stand up.” I pulled at his wide shoulders.
“No, Arabella.” Scorpius’s voice was harsh, and he remained kneeling in the crowd of bodies.
Students and soldiers stopped dancing to stare.
Why was a king on his knees?
Confusion was written on all our faces as the sadomasochist bowed his head submissively. The posture was wrong on him. Foreign.
“Please forgive me, Arabella Alis Egan,” he spoke loudly so everyone could hear.
The weight of everyone’s attention was smothering.
I gritted my teeth. “Get up.” I tugged at his shoulders desperately.
“No.”
“I’m not joking, Scorpius. Stop this at once.”