the windows l

ering fire. She hadn't spoken much since their conversation in the study. Her body moved like muscle m

you to buy

ne all day, but when he entered the room, soaked from the storm, his eyes flicked to her immediately. He froze th

er voice, soft but ste

nt to

ok up. "That sou

afraid

should

r. "Why? Because

k, unreadable. "Because I

egree in temperature

t belongs to me." Her lips parted, but he wasn't finished. "You live in my house. You eat my food. You wear the clothes I had brought f

umiliated her. But instead, they spa

to be here," s

ke a shadow made flesh. "But now that you

bold. "I'm not a thing. I'm not p

e her head. Not touching her, but close

tens. I am not the man who will be changed by a girl's tears. I am a greater monster than

You think because I let you read in my garden or gave you soft

allowed h

hatever warmth you think you saw in me, ki

mething deeper. A dangerous flicker of want. Not for the monste

d, but her hand lifted, gently

fro

voice cracking. He jerked

on'

ything stupid," she said,

again, colder than ever.

m n

?" His laugh was bitter. "I could've had you a hundred different ways

flin

his fantasy you're building

decanter. His hands were shaking sli

retched be

voice was barely a whisper. "Wh

ight away. When he did

want to break what

eath c

around slowly. His face was unr

to

not t

dn't

ot your

oice like steel. "You

oint. Not when he wrapped himself b

rd the door, she glanc

he said. "But monsters don't protect

didn't

't m

ire like he wanted to

ered to the empty room, "Yo

be he wa

most wasn't the monster

ilia looked at hi

made him want to

less than

reak him far worse than