His focus paused on my footwear. I’d had the shoes specially designed for this dress and was fairly confident the demon prince liked them almost as much as I did.
They were heeled shoes that had a glittering black snake that wound from my ankle to my thigh. The serpent’s tongue flicked out but was semi-covered by my dress.
If Wrath wanted a full visual, he would need to push my skirts out of the way. The shoes were inspired in part by the statue in the gardens.
“Tonight we’ll—”
“—we’ll work on pride.” I smiled, noting that my deep berry lip stain captured his attention. I slowly spun in place. “I had this designed for our lesson and I’m quite happy with the results. It’s the first time I’ve created something entirely from my imagination.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“I know.” I winked and Wrath actually chuckled. “It’s perfection.”
“I see your pride is already primed and ready for the lesson.” His eyes flashed with something dark and dangerous. “So let’s begin.”
“Do your worst, your highness. I’m ready.”
This time the magic was like a tiny bead rolling between my shoulders, slipping down my spine, pleasant and enticing. I almost arched into it, remembering at the last moment to shove it away, to focus on creating a barrier between the demonic influence and me.
I inhaled deeply, my chest swelling with elation. I was resisting Wrath’s influence, and I was hardly breaking a sweat. Battling away pride was by far the easiest thing I’d done yet.
I gave him a cocky grin from where he stood half in the shadows. He hadn’t taken another step into the room; he remained by the door, looking ready to bolt. It was about time he felt unsteady. Whenever he was near lately I felt as if my world had tilted wildly off its axis.
“You’ll have to try harder. I’ve gotten quite good at resisting you.”
“Have you?” Amusement glinted in his eyes. “Sounds as if you’re a little prideful.”
I lifted a shoulder and dropped it casually. “Not prideful. Only honest. You’ve been a decent enough teacher, but this student has surpassed the lessons. I accept my desires. I welcome any challenge. I have little fear of losing. I think your brothers ought to be worried.”
“Oh?”
“Of course. There is nothing more dangerous than a woman who owns who she is and apologizes to no one.” I gave him a slow once-over. “I believe I am powerful, therefore I am. Isn’t that the principle you live by? Well, I know I’m powerful. I know power comes from many sources and I now have many weapons in my arsenal, your highness. In fact, I can own you right now if I chose to. And you would be powerless for a change.”
“Cocksure. Boastful. An inflated sense of self-image.” Wrath checked each one off on his fingers. “You’re right. It doesn’t sound as if you’re under any prideful influence at all.”
“You know what else I believe? I believe you’d secretly like me to own you. At least in certain… areas.”
I moved with deliberate, even strides across the room, allowing my hips to sway. My skirt fluttered to the sides, showing off the snake winding up my leg.
If Wrath wanted a lesson, I’d give him one he’d not soon forget.
I backed him against the wall, my lips curving upward as I dragged a finger across his chest, then followed the line of buttons down to his trousers. Twisted demon. He was already aroused. I flicked my gaze up to his, watching intently as I slid my palm over the bulge. Air hissed through his teeth. I followed the hard outline over his pants and his breathing quickened.
The demonic magic he’d been wielding snapped and fell away. Just as I suspected it would. Wrath’s personal set of morals had revealed themselves during each of our lessons, and I’d been watching carefully, learning anything I could even when I’d been unable to block his influence. He never used magic when things turned romantic.
“Emilia.”
It was more plea than warning. Now that his influence was gone, our lesson was only just beginning. I leaned into him, pressing my chest against his, enjoying the way his focus shifted to my décolletage. I knew precisely how tight my corset was and how our new position showed off my assets best from his vantage point. He seemed torn between looking his fill and maintaining gentlemanly manners. Which wouldn’t do. I wanted him completely undone.
Suddenly, an image so vivid and real slipped into my senses, confusing reality with illusion. For a startling moment, I was in two places at once.
There was a low hum of music filtering in, strings and pianos, the sound dulled and haunting through the walls. We’d snuck off together, far from the boisterous sounds of a party taking place down the corridor. Shadows hid him from view, but he found me quickly enough. His hand cupped my breast over my bodice, his kisses plundering and possessive. My passion burned as intensely as his. I nipped at his lip, daring him to do the same. He did one better. He tugged the top of my gown down, replacing his daring hand with his mouth.
I slipped inside his trousers, finding him hard and wanting, then smiled as he cursed at the first stroke I made. I brought my mouth to his ear. “Shhh. They’ll hear us.”
I took him in hand as if it had been something I’d done hundreds of times. I knew exactly what he liked and how to elicit the most pleasure. His body, his heart; I knew them as well as my own. I used that knowledge to my advantage now.
He did not seem to mind.
Several moments later, he shuddered against me, his breathing ragged and hard. Once his trembling ceased, I rolled up onto my toes and kissed him, long and deep. “Meet me in the garden at the witching hour tonight. You know where.”
He’d barely managed to refasten his trousers when I ran off, glancing over my shoulder one last time before I slipped from the darkened room.
Wrath called my name, drawing me back into the present. I’d never had a vision like that and had no idea what to make of it. Something about it didn’t feel like the realm’s magic.
It felt like a memory.
Wrath traced the curve of my cheek, his voice quiet. “Emilia—”