Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty Thren

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty Three

I awoke in bed, wrapped in a blanket-but beneath it, I was completely naked. Daemon lay beside me.

"I'm sorry." He said, "I lost control."

I recalled passing out and couldn't help but feel embarrassed. "That wasn't on you. It was my fault."

"Not really. You passed out from blood loss. I should have fed before, but I had never tasted any blood as sweet as yours," he said.

"That feels and sounds like a compliment."

A small smile played on his lips. "Now, everything else tastes like dirt."noveldrama

"You're always welcome to drink from me.

"No. I'm not putting you through that."

I reached for my neck, and the bruise from his fangs was almost completely gone. "How...?"

"You don't have to worry about that," he said.

I nodded, rising from the bed.

"You shouldn't..."

I didn't listen. The moment my feet touched the floor, my legs gave out. He caught me instantly and placed me back on the bed.

"You are severely sore." He said, and I could almost see the guilt in his eyes. Not many things made him feel guilty.

"After last night, you've earned all the points that there are to earn.

He chuckled at that. "That almost feels too easy."

"Believe me when I say, you deserve them all, mystery guy

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Another laugh from him; I could listen to that sound for years and never get tired.

"I am not very mysterious. The only mysterious one in the room is you."

He must be joking, because that wasn't true. I am very far away from being 'mysterious,' but he-he was like a mystery box, full of surprises.

"I don't believe you."

"I might know about your position as the 'Blessed' and all, but I have no idea about your past. Did you spend all your life in the castle?"

I was about to say yes, because it felt like it, but the truth was that I didn't.

"For most of my life, I lived in the castle. But I still faintly remember a time before that. I was young-a child. An orphan. I think there was someone I had been close to back then, but I can't remember. All I know is that the Empress took me away from that miserable life, only to subject me to another equally miserable life."

"It might have been years ago, but the thought of you ever suffering..." He closed his eyes, as if trying to push the

memory away.

I recalled his words from weeks ago. I had ignored them then, but now, thinking about them left me wondering.

11

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty Three

All it took was a woman to throw me off course. History repeats itself." What did

he mean? Had he loved someone

before?

The thought alone filled me up with jealousy.

"Have you ever been in love before?" I asked.

He clearly hadn't expected the question. The smile on his lips faded, and I watched as he slowly retreated into his cold demeanor.

"Yes."

His answer affected me more than I thought it ever could. I should let this go; it

was clear he didn't want to talk about it, but I couldn't; I had to ask.

"Where is she now?"

"Dead. Gone."

He rose from the bed, done with answering the questions. I'll go get you something to eat. Don't go anywhere."

It's not like I could, even if I wanted to. Then, the mist wrapped around him, and

he was gone-leaving me alone with my thoughts.