Xerxes' jaw tightens at her words, his eyes flashing with something that looks almost like hurt. "You think I don't know that?" he says quietly. "And what about you? You think I don't see the way everyone looks at you - like you're this perfect, untouchable princess who doesn't need anyone."
He steps closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "But we both know that's not true, don't we? You need me just as much as I need you."
The space between them is charged with tension, their bodies mere inches apart. Xerxes reaches out slowly, his fingers brushing against the curve of her waist where the fabric of her dress has slipped down slightly.
"You're right," he murmurs against her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "I'm complicated. Hard to deal with. And you're the only one who's ever managed to handle me."
His hand slides up her back slowly, deliberately, until his fingers tangle in the hair at the nape of her neck. He pulls her closer until their bodies are flush against each other.
"I saw you today," he says quietly, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin below her ear. "Fighting like a warrior queen. Beautiful and terrifying all at once."
Esmeray's breath hitches as she feels his other hand press against the small of her back, holding her firmly in place.
"All you see is a title in front of me. You don't see me as a woman, you don't see me as a worthy oponente. In the field I am sure I can take you down, what I can't take down from you is your ego."
"You know little of my family, yet I know alot about yours. I know the throne hasn't had concubines for a while, therefore taking Isabella as one would be..well it would be seen as treason. Tell me is that the reason why you sneak around? Does the thrill of the unknown turn you on. Is playing with her so fun for you"
Xerxes' expression darkens at her accusations, his grip on her tightening possessively. "You think I'm playing games?" he growls, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think I'm some thrill-seeker who gets off on danger?"
His free hand moves to her jaw, tilting her face up to meet his intense gaze. "I'm protecting you from scandal, from whispers that could destroy your reputation and ours."
He leans in closer, their lips nearly touching as he speaks. "And you're right - I don't see you as just some title. I see the warrior who could kill me in a duel but chooses to fight for me instead." His thumb traces the curve of her lower lip.
"Oh cut the crap Xerxes " she pulls away from him walking to the other side of the room "You dont care about me, about my reputation. You care for..in all honesty I don't know what you care for. " she swings her arms in annoyance.
"If you really cared for my reputation then you wouldn't be doing this. You wouldn't be sneaking around. It's because of You that my name is on everyone's mouth. And it's up to me to clean your mess" she confronts.
"Your reputation? Is that all you care for?" He questions walking to her "Is your name all you care for? What we had meant nothing to you?"
Esmeray's eyes flash with a mix of pain and fury as she turns back to face him, her chest heaving with emotion. "What we had?" she repeats bitterly. "You mean the nights you spent with her while I was alone in this room? The mornings I woke up to find you gone? What we had is a small moment due to our duties. "
She steps closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You want to know what I care about? I care about the promises we made, the vows we took in front of gods and kingdoms."
Her hand slams against his chest hard enough to make him stagger back slightly. "I care about the man who stood beside me at the altar and swore to love and protect me - not just my title." Her words and tone seem genuine.
"Hahaha" she arubts in a loud laugh
"Is that what you want to hear? Xerxes this is nothing but a contract. The only thing I care is my reputation..the only man I love and crave is the commander. Please, you think you're the only one good at playing games? I am an Ironholder, I am will known to play mischievous games. "
For a minute he had believed her, is this what she felt when he called out Isabella while fucking her? Is this payment for his sins?
The words hit Xerxes like a blow, his face paling as the realization sinks in. He had hurt her so deeply that she now uses his own weapons against him.
"You think this is a game?" he says quietly, his voice raw with something that sounds almost like regret. "You think I don't know what it feels like to be on the losing side?"
He steps closer again, slowly this time, as if approaching a wounded animal. "I know you love him. Zaiden. I've seen the way you look at him when you think no one is watching."
His hand reaches out hesitantly toward her face but stops short of touching her. "But tell me something - when he kisses you behind closed doors does he make you forget about me?"