Aria's POV
He growled my name like a claim.
"You are mine now" he said, his voice a low, hot thing that slid along my skin. I nodded once, small and careful. He closed the distance and kissed me long and hard until the world narrowed to breath and heat. When he pulled away he rubbed his thumb along his lip and exhaled sharply.
"And I want you on my bed" he said.
I frowned. Did he truly think this was about desire? Did he think I had returned for comfort or for the hollow warmth of another man? I had not come back for that. I had come for retribution. His fingers tightened at my waist and hauled me in closer.
"I only want you" he insisted.
I held my ground. "I cannot, Kael" I said steadily.
For a beat he looked stunned, as if those words hurt him deeper than a
