Little Saint Bride [Death and the Maiden, #1]

Chapter Thirty Three: The Masked Pirate Grim Reaper

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'My wonderful wife,' the darker Hadrian croons, 'Surely you aren't going somewhere else? Hadrian really wants to know all about that declaration you made earlier.'

I chuckle. My husband approaches me with a sultry smile, and I love how his eyes are lit with an ethereal blue. 

'That guy is  usually reliable, but when it comes to this kind of thing, he's extremely shy. He won't ask, but he wants to.'He cocks his head, knowing how he tortures me as he slowly strips off his wet shirt.

'Does he?' I say softly. My own clothes are wet, but I ignore them. 'I will have to explain later when he returns. For now, I have an errand to do.'

Topless Hadrian looks at me.

I look at him. Well, I look at his abs, and that V-shaped line where his flat stomach meets his hips, and I continue lazily until I reach his face. And then I smile. 'See you later.'

Faster than my eyes can see, Hadrian moves behind me, grabbing my wrists. I feel him pressed against me, his hips pressing against my butt, and an immeasurable heat building between us.

'I don't think so,' he says, and then turns to Mercer, still winded on the floor.

'Can a husband and wife get some privacy, please? You are still on loan from Chronus, by the way. That's why you aren't gaining any power. So, go do something. She'll only need a few minutes.'

I hear a disgruntled squeak. 'Nerissa...? Do you want me to leave you with him...?'

'Yeah, I don't want any witnesses to his murder,' I say. 'He's an arrogant bastard. How about you go and change out of those ghastly white virginal clothes? You're reminding me of my awful wedding. I'll come find you once I've gotten rid of this idiot.'

The door slams, marking Mercer's exit, in reply.

The air shimmers with Hadrian's dark glee as his hold around me tightens. 'I told you that you shouldn't leave yet for a reason, my sweet wife.'

With reflexes faster than a hummingbird's wings, I whip my wrists against Hadrian's hold, whirling to face him. Glaring, I hiss, 'I do not need your permission, dear husband!'

Smirking, Hadrian steps closer, until we're inches apart. 'But you're like me now. It's exciting. There's so many things we can do together.'

If I wasn't feeling badass right now, I would have flushed scarlet. Luckily, I have the audacity to smirk right back. 'We could...if I had any time for you. But now I'm like you, I don't need you. Comprende? Good.'

I sidestep him, but he follows, a hand sweeping my jaw to face him. Side to side, but still faces close together, he murmurs, 'With my instruction, you can save your brother faster. Without me, you make take years to master your new power.'

Anger and pride rush through me, and I push him away. To my horror, he's thrown backwards, but he manages to roll softly onto the bed. I'm scared he's really hurt until I hear him laugh.

'Well, if you want my instruction on that, too, I can teach you what you'll never forget.'

I'm in front of him before he can get up; he's still kneeling as I glare down at him. 'Cocky little bastard,' I snap, 'As if it will be you teaching me!'