"Cassian, get away from me."
I tried to push him off, in vain. His chest was solid and unmoving, like a boulder. I felt the hardness of his muscle beneath his thin shirt. In contrast, he pressed himself tighter against me, touching me in so many places that my blood boiled and rushed to my cheeks.
"Just a sip, Elara. I’m thirsty."
"Not my problem." Again I tried to push him away. "You’re the one who refused to feed like Antony did. Don’t expect to use me now—not in the state you’re in."
"And how am I?" he whispered into my ear.
"Famished. You’re acting like an animal," I said, trying to sound as calm as possible.
Something hard pressed against my belly. Cassian’s hand stayed firm on my wrists as he buried the other in my hair and pulled just enough to make me look at him.
"My reputa
