Chapter 11
548words
Night falls. The city lights begin to glitter.
We leave that world of violence and possession behind.
I watch in the rearview mirror as Damien's figure gets smaller and smaller, until it disappears into the darkness.
I let out a long breath. I feel lighter than I have in years.
"How do you feel?" Julian asks, his eyes on the road.
"Free," I answer. "For the first time, truly free."
A small smile plays on his lips. Even in the dim light of the car, I can see the tenderness in his eyes.
"You were brave back there," he says.
"I just told the truth."
"Not everyone has the courage to do that." Julian glances at me. "That wasn't an ending back there, Isabella," he says, his voice low. "That was a declaration of war. And you just handed me the sword."
We stop at a red light. Julian turns to me. His eyes hold a new depth.
"Isabella."
"Hmm?"
"You said you loved me."
My heart starts to pound. "I did."
"Did you say it to hurt him, or…"
"Or what?"
"Or did you mean it?"
The light turns green, but Julian doesn't move.
The air in the car suddenly feels thick. Hot.
"What do you think?" I ask back.
"I hope you meant it," he says, his voice low. "Because I've wanted you since the moment I first laid eyes on you."
A car behind us honks.
Julian starts driving, but his hand reaches over and takes mine.
"Now you've learned to use your power."
Our fingers intertwine.
His hand is warm. Steady. It makes me feel safe.
He pulls up in front of my apartment building. But neither of us moves.
"So," Julian glances at me, a playful smile on his lips. "My weapon. What should I call you?"
I turn to face him. The moonlight catches his face. He looks like a prince.
But the heat in his eyes tells me he's far more dangerous.
"What title did you have in mind?" I ask, my voice huskier than I expected.
"Girlfriend is too tame," he murmurs, his thumb tracing lazy circles on my skin. "And lover sounds… disposable."
"Then what do you want to call me?"
"Accomplice?" he suggests. "Partners in crime. Together, we'll destroy his kingdom."
My heart nearly stops.
I lean closer, until our noses are almost touching. "I like the sound of that."
"So, my accomplice," his voice turns rough, "what's our first crime?"
"That depends on your imagination."
His hand moves to my face. His thumb brushes against my lower lip. "My imagination is very vivid."
"Show me."
He leans in. His lips are hot against mine.
It's not a tentative kiss.
It's a claiming, and a conquest.
When we break apart, we're both breathless.
"As for the title of 'Queen'," I say, licking my lips, a sly glint in my eyes, "that depends on your performance, Mr. Thorne."
Julian freezes for a second, then he laughs.
"Is that a challenge?"
"Are you scared?"
"On the contrary." A dangerous fire lights in his eyes. "I never back down from a challenge. Especially from a beautiful woman."
He leans in, his whisper a hot promise against my ear.
"Then prepare to be crowned, my queen."
