A Love From A Different World

Chapter 34

Aelin didn't like the look of the man. There was something unmistakable cruel in his face- if his cold gaze was anything to go by. Nonetheless, her own facial expression remained unchanged. She tried continuing on their little act, but the male's undeniable presence made that difficult.

Rhysand, on the other hand, seemed to have no issues of his own. He continued grazing her skin tenderly, brushing his lips against her hot body- he was doing just fine. And apparently ignoring the male he had summoned.

Finally, Rhysand asked him for a report of the city. The High Lord was evidently paying little attention to Keir, who Aelin learned was the Steward in Rhysand's city. This in turn, seemed to infuriate Keir, as he drilled uselessly on the ongoings of Hewn City. His stare was burning holes into her. The assassin tried distracting herself by observing the party to no avail. The princess locked eyes with him and immediately felt disgusted.

"No one for me to punish?"

"Unless you'd like for me to select someone here, no, milord."

"Pity," Rhysand replied, almost bored as he continued with his caresses.

"I had heard the rumors, and I didn't quite believe them," Keir said. "But it seems true: you have leashed a human pet."

Aelin's body tensed at the sentence. Every word that exited that vile man's mouth made her want to slit his throat.

Relax your body. Don't let him have an effect on you.

Aelin did not answer mentally but did loosen her body, letting it lean on Rhysand's granite-like one behind her.

"You should see how I make her beg," Rhysand said, running his nose along her neck. It might have been her imagination, but Aelin felt as if Rhsand was apologizing with every touch.

"I assume you brought her to make a statement."

"You know everything I do is a statement."

"Of course. This one, it seems, you enjoy putting in cobwebs and crowns." The sheer disgust in the Steward's voice told Aelin enough about what he thought of her. Which meant that their act was working.

And so because she was, after all, simply playing an act, Aelin raised her chin and said;

"Perhaps I'll put a leash on you,"

"She does enjoy playing," The male behind her answered. "Get her some wine."

Though Rhysand continued playing with Aelin, she couldn't help shaking the feeling that he was not alright.

What's wrong?

The mental communication seemed to take Rhysand by surprise. True, Aelin had not been pleased to learn that Rhysand had access to her mind, but it did seem to come in handy at certain times.

Nothing. Why do you ask?

Because every time you touch me, it feels sorrowful.

Aelin turned her head and locked eyes with Rhysand. Its violet eyes looked at her intensely as he answered.

I'm sorrowful for making you play the whore.

Just like you had to do?

This time, it was the High Lord's body that tensed up. Aelin came closer to him, brushing her lips over his jaw.

I do not blame you. We do what we need to do to survive.

How can you say that? You...you don't know what happened. What I did-

I do not know the full story, just bits, and pieces I've heard. About you, about Amarantha. And I do not blame you.

Rhysand slightly trembled as he took her cheek into his hand. Sitting on his lap, Aelin did not break eye contact with him. Her hand on his chest doodling softly, hoping to calm him. From what she gathered, Rhysand was the most powerful and infamous High Lord in Prythian. He had been hated before the courts and had been enslaved to Amarathan. He had been- and still was fiercely hated because he had sided with Amaranthata and protected himself by being her lover. But Aelin did not blame him. Even if he had done so out of selfishness, she understood him. She would have done the same- hell, self-preservation was her middle name. But she did not believe that he was cruel and evil. Not to mention that every time someone made a comment directly or indirectly about Amaranthat, Aelin saw him clench his fists.

You are not supposed to be on my side- I am the villain, I am-

To shut him up, Aelin tilted her head up and kissed him. Her plump lips meet his. The kiss was urgent and passionate. His soft lips responded to her immediately and Aelin felt her body burn with each brush. When she broke their kiss for air, she felt a slight tingling pass her body.

You are not the bad guy, Rhys. You are good, I see goodness in you.

He did not respond, apparently speechless. What she said had been true. There was something she saw in him that made her certain he was good. That and the fear and pain she could see in his eyes. The very same fear and pain only one survivor could recognize in another.

Calming down from their passionate exchange, Aelin once again felt someone leering at her. When she turned her head away from Rhysand she spotted Keir, a chalice in hand. His facial expression told her everything he thought of what she assumed, he just witnessed.

Trying to lighten the mood, Aelin said;

I think he's so disgusted that he might have given you the orb just to get out of here.

When Aelin turned back to look at the male, he did not look amused.