Never Yours ✔️

Ch. 40

 Serden returned after the sun had set with a plate of food and a cup of water. He set it down in front of her and shed his cloak, hanging it up on the hook by his wardrobe. Arysa reluctantly picked up the food and took a bite, watching Serden as he slipped off his shoes and his vest until he was only in a soft tunic and pants.

He looked so young like that, so human, and Arysa remembered that he was only a few years older than her. She wondered, for a brief moment, what had happened to him to bring him to this point. How did he get tangled up with the enemy? How did he come to possess such power? She wondered if he'd ever tell her.

He came towards her and sat down across from her. His eyes were soft.

"I'm doing this for your own good." He murmured. "I'm just trying to protect you."

She didn't look at him.

"Arysa," He breathed.

She finished her meal and set the plate aside, taking a final sip of the water.

"Look at me." He pressed.

When she refused, he reached out and cupped her chin, tightening his grip when she tried to pull away. He forced her face upwards and her angry eyes snapped to his. He sighed.

"When this is all over, you'll understand."

She scoffed.

His thumb caressed her cheek. "I do love you."

Her eyes got caught up in his, thick with emotion and pleading with her to see it. She dropped her gaze to the floor.

"I believe that you believe that."

He dropped his hand and got to his feet.

"Come get in bed." He murmured. "You need to sleep."

She crossed her arms and stared at the floor.

"Arysa," He sighed, "don't be stubborn."

"I'm not sleeping in your bed." She snapped.

"I'm not going to let you sleep on the floor." He came towards her and she jumped to her feet, but the wall was at her back and she couldn't move away before he got close, so close she could feel the heat of his body.

"Easy solution." She shot back. "I won't sleep. I can't with you so close anyway."

"You need rest." He pressed. "It's been a long day."

"Then let me go back to my own room." She shoved at his chest but he barely moved.

"I have to keep an eye on you." He retorted. "You're like a child that can't be trusted not to get into trouble on her own."

She pushed him again and his fingers wrapped around her wrists, keeping her hands pressed tight against his chest.

"I am not a child!" She snapped. "Let me go."

She could feel his chest rising and falling under her palms, and the thud of his heartbeat echoed through her hand.

He stepped closer until he was pressed against her, with her elbows bent awkwardly at her sides.

"You will sleep. Either you do so willingly, or I make you. Your choice."

Arysa tried to pull her wrists out of his grip, but his fingers tightened, his nails digging into her skin.

"What's it going to be, Arysa?" He taunted. "You're running out of time."

She turned her head away from him. She couldn't let him force her into unconsciousness. She couldn't let herself be that vulnerable, not here, not with him.