(A MOMENT EARLIER)
Alice came slithering in like a snake, her see-through silk robe untied, demanding my focus right in the middle of a meeting with Eros.
Her excuse was wanting my attention, but I could easily see through her ruse; I am not the only one who enjoys games in this castle. It was all a show—her way of asserting dominance over her newest rival.
Everyone had seen the kiss. The supposed favor bestowed upon the king's favorite, Valoria Wilderose.
So, of course, Alice came wanting a piece—to prove to herself and everyone else that she is just as special, if not more.
Ordinarily, I would not have given in to her. I despise being a pawn in someone else's game.
But tonight, something inside me burned hotter—annoyance, anger, and beneath it all, a deep, insatiable hunger I could no longer ignore.
I told myself I wanted to torment Selene's agent — to crush Valoria's spirit, to strip her of every ounce of grace her precious goddess had gifted her.
