Page 21 of Darkly Yours

“Arkana, how is the weather down there?” Bell snickers as he peers down the ten-foot dining table at me.

“It’s lovely. Quite fresh.” I can’t help but giggle, though I try to mask it. I don’t need it going to his head that I actually find his jokes amusing. He is right as well, which I also do not want him to know. While sitting on opposite sides of this monstrosity of a table, we look rather ridiculous.

It never seemed to stand out to me back at Graves Estate. With my father on one end, my mother at the other, and Silas, Finn, and I in between, it was just how we took our dinner every night.

But in this stark contrast, with the absence of children, and the last shred of sunlight clinging to the stained glass before handing off its duties to the moon, it feels cold and empty and preposterous.

Bell stands, picks up his plate and cup, and stalks down to my end. A servant practically leaps out of his skin to pull out the chair for him. “Forgive me, my lord. I didn’t know you were to move. I will do better next time.”

“Relax. It was a split-second decision. At ease, Percy.” Bell chuckles as he settles into the chair to my right.

“You know his name.” It is not common for noblemen to pay attention to these things.

He leans back in his chair, a sloppy grin on his face. “Of course, I do. I pay attention to everything, Arkana. I know the name of every single person who resides under this roof.”

“Even the servants?” This man sparks my curiosity more by the minute.

“Especially the servants. They hold more power than you think, beloved. You’d be wise to remember that.” He fills my goblet full of wine first, then does his own.

In a black velvet coat and white ruffled shirt, he looks like the very epitome of elegance and riches. But there’s a hint of something so carnal in his demeanor. It’s rough and wild, his expression always searching for adventure. It is unusual and not like any other nobleman I have ever met in the whole of my privileged life.

“You are most unusual,” I murmur.

His hand lingers near; our fingers close. His knuckles twitch as if he fights the urge to touch me. “No more so than a woman who enjoys hanging from open windows.”

Another butler enters with our food. He serves us each a plate of red meat and whipped potatoes. I reach around my plate for my cutlery only to come up empty-handed. “Where is my knife and fork?”

Neither butler utters a word, but instead they bow their heads to the ground.

“Oh, I had yours removed.” Bell flashes a smug smile as he picks up his own steak knife and cuts a piece of meat off.

“Very funny. You’ve made your point. Now, give me my silver back so I may eat my dinner like a lady.” I feel my cheeks heating as I watch him chew and swallow a juicy morsel.

“I’d be happy to cut your steak and feed it to you, beloved. If you wish. But you will not be getting your own cutlery until I can trust you.” He winks and takes another bite, moaning as he rolls his eyes back in the most dramatic display of gluttony.

If this man thinks I’m going to allow him to humiliate me any further, he’s in for a very rude awakening. I unclench my jaw and flash him a wicked smile. “No need. I’ll do it myself.” I reach under the table and lift up a fold in my skirt. I chuckle as I feel the cool metal hilt of my blade.

I bring it up to the table and use it to slice my entire steak into one-inch slivers faster than he can finish chewing one piece of his. I stab one of the slivers and bite it right off the knife. Without pausing, I scoop up some of the potatoes with the tip of the blade and shovel that into my mouth as well. “Mmm. Delicious,” I mumble as I chew.

He leans back and sips his wine as he watches me. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever met who brings her own knives to a dinner table. It’s adorable.”

My cheeks heat. I stab another piece of meat with too much force and crack the plate. “I doubt you’ll find it adorable when they are protruding from your belly.”

He reaches over, and I flinch. “Easy… Your knives are sharper than mine.”

I let out a breath and wash my last bite down with a big gulp of red wine. “Where is your hand headed, Lord Erebus?”

Without warning, he yanks my chair forward, pulling it to him. His eyes darken as he wraps a hand around my throat. “Right here.” He applies light pressure, but it’s enough to make my vein throb. The ache between my thighs is unrivaled by any longing I’ve ever had before. Without reason or rationale, I crave him.

And he knows it.

BELL

I should’ve killed her before her scent slipped into my bones. Before her murderous blue eyes burned into the backs of my eyelids. Because even when I sleep, I still see her face. I am breaking every fucking rule I have ever made. But the thrill of being stabbed by this creature is worth a thousand deaths. And what kind of hypocrite would I be to sit here and fault her for any deception when I have lied to her about my entire existence?

“If you want to slice into me again, I won’t stop you. But I require a sacrifice in return.” I finger the edge of her collarbone, relishing in her soft, delicate skin. Its fragrant scent like a poisonous bud in full bloom. Whether we like it or not, we are slowly tethering to each other.

Her chest heaves in response. “What is your price, Lord Erebus?”