Chapter 31: Chapter 31: RULE OF SEDUCTION

VALORIA WILDEROSE

“You make it so hard to lose interest in you.”

I open my lips to speak but he grabs hold of me, pulling me closer again with one hand, back into the position I was in before I moved.

“Don’t move.” He orders, taking another soaked cotton and holding my feet in place this time.

He dabs on it again, ignoring my flinching as he cleans it up with expertise in silence.

I’m forced to remain still and watch him tend to my wounds until he’s wrapped them in gauze neatly and tucked the box away.

“W-Why d-did you save me, w-why are you doing this?” I find my voice again, watching him with interest I find hard to resist.

He’s a beautiful enigma and also deadly—even now every fiber of my being fears him.

“You want to seduce me, don’t you?” He looks back at me with mischief again, with a light smile, before sitting on the bed beside me—close enough to grab a lock of hair off my shoulders playfully. “It’s part of your mission from Selene. I know the basic details—information, finding a weakness, blah blah…”

“S-so?”

“So I want to make things more interesting—for the both of us. I’m offering you a chance to get what you want.”

“W-Why? Be-because y-you’re bo-red?”

“Yes, of course.” He agrees without an ounce of shame, shrugging. “For the first time in so long, something interesting knocks on my door, offering itself on a platter of gold. You don’t think I’d let it die before I’ve had my fun with it? That, and the fact that I know you won’t succeed.” His smile turns dubious and wicked.

He leans even closer, startling me in the process—invading my private space like the fiend he is—until our faces are the smallest inch apart and I feel his hot breath tease my cheeks.

“You won’t find what you’re looking for, I assure you.” It’s not a threat—he means it. His eyes tell me.

The confidence in them shakes my resolve and fills me with doubt.

I gulp, feeling sweat slide down my back, terrified to even breathe while holding his sharp gaze meant to intimidate me.

I want to run away and hide, but I’m tempted by his offer, like the first ray of hope glaring at me since my rebirth.

“W-what if I-I-I do?” The words leave my lips before I can stop myself.

The lights in his eyes flicker, like dead bulbs flickering to life, with interest smeared all over his face.

“You are truly interesting, my mouse.”

He pulls away finally, musing to himself with a new, bright, and brilliant smile.

“Fine. Let’s imagine if you somehow manage to last long enough and achieve the impossible feat of bending me to your will—you will get to live. But if you’re unable to… if your fragile mind shatters before you can, I will kill you.”

I frown, knowing this new game sits entirely in his favor. He calls it a chance, yet we both know seducing him might be impossible—making me a sitting duck.

He notices my frown, pinching my cheeks painfully.

“C’mon, don’t look so blue. Who knows, you might just stand a chance. You should have faith in yourself so the game lasts longer,” he mocks me.

“Yes, yo-your m-majes-sty.”

“Tsk, tsk, Valoria.”

I flinch at the sound of my name leaving his lips for the first time. I had no idea he knew it.

“The first rule to seducing a man is saying his name. Must I teach you everything? Go on, say it.”

“Y-Yes, A-Azrael.”

“No.” He stops me, shaking his head with dissatisfaction. “You’re breaking the words with your stutter again. Say it slower. When you speak, think the words in your head first, then say them without rush.”

His advice is sudden.

I follow his instructions without protest, doubting it would change anything. I imagine the words put together, then I take a deep breath.

“Yes, Azrael.”

The word slides out whole, taking me off guard.

“Good.” He smiles, pleased with himself.

While I, on the other hand, can’t help the resentment bubbling in my chest, daring to comment on a struggle I’ve had all my life—like he understands it more than I do, like he can fix me.

“I d-don’t ne-need your adv-vice,” I snap uncontrollably.

“Again.”

He’s unfazed by my anger. His gaze commands me to try again without fumbling.

I swallow.

“I. Don’t. Need. Your. Advice.”

“Perfect. You’re a fast learner.”

He smiles, patting my head and turning away—ending the conversation and everything else I want to say.

I stare at him, dumbfounded, annoyed, and fed up with all of this. The longer I spend with him, the quicker I’ll lose my mind without a chance to get ahead.

With that in mind, I slide toward the other end of the bed and swing my sore feet onto the floor.

They sting, but I’m willing to endure the pain long enough until I can get back to my space and be as far away from him as possible.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he stops me near midway to the door, asking without even looking at me.

“T-To—”

I pause, catching myself about to stutter again, picturing the sentence in my mind first.

“To. My. Room.”

He meets my eyes finally, blank and void of emotions.

“You’re not going anywhere, Valoria. Not tonight. Your punishment for not attending the vetting ceremony is that you must sleep here… with me.”

He announces this before quietly sliding underneath the sheets, completely bare except for his shorts.

Waiting for me.

My lips hang wide open in disbelief, hesitant and even doubtful, but he repeats himself.

“Get in. Now.”

He commands.

I flinch, scurrying back in—only this time I stay on the farthest end from him.

He doesn’t mind it, ignoring me altogether, becoming completely silent on his end without making a single move.

Our conversation ends just like that, leaving an endless silence for the rest of the night that seems louder than my thoughts.

I doubt that I will fall asleep tonight. It will be impossible with him just a foot away.

And yet, as minutes go by, I feel my upper lids begin to grow heavy.

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