From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143

“Good thing I’m good at sneaking into places.

He winks.

“I’m sure you are. At least now I won’t have to be near you.”

“Act tough all you want.”

There’s a wicked smile on his mouth as we look at each other with a mixture of amusement and challenge.

“Don’t let him find out, Elara. We’ll find a way to get you back to the castle where you belong.”

“I don’t belong to you.”

“No, but I know you’d rather be there than here.”

His nose brushes mine.

Besides, maybe I’m the one who belongs to you.”

“What does that mean?”

“That you

drive me insane, Elara. I hate you for it but not more than I desire you.”

He brushes his lips against mine before stepping back.

“If you have nothing else to say, I’ll leave you here to fulfill your duties with your new master”

I hold my breath as I watch him walk away from me. He gives me one last look, and the ghost of a smile appears and disappears from his face in milliseconds. The blue of his eyes is so intense that it’s hard to hold myself together. My hands itch with the impulse to run to him, grab his suit, and slam his body against mine. I don’t do it. I just watch him open the door and slip out.

I’ll come back for you. I always will.”

Those last words twist my stomach in a way I can’t quite understand. Ciro reappears, adjusting his vest, and gives me a once–over. I’m sure he’s searching for something. This was just one of the many tests I’ll have to pass to earn his trust,

“If it’s alright with you, I think it’s best I escort you to your quarters so you can rest. The night has been long, and I’d like to introduce you to your new handmaids tomorrow.”

“My new handmaids?”

“Clarissa and Naida belong to Cassian. I must assign you new ones

“No, please.”

Unconsciously, I grab his clothing.

“I don’t want to be without them.”

“Elara, they

work for Cassian. I can’t have them under my service.”

“Haven’t I gone through enough changes already? I want familiar faces around me.“.

I see all the proteus piling up in his mouth. He opens it, then closes it again–but finally nods and covers my hands, still gripping his clothes, with his own.

“I see what I can do.”

His thumbs gently stroke my hands.

“It won’t be easy to negotiate that with him. I doubt he’ll be very compliant considering he feels I stole you from his hands.”

“Didn’t you!”

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4:23 PM

Chapter 143

“No. I followed the law. That’s not stealing.”

His eyes glint with mischief, and that’s the moment I realize how close we are. I take a step back.

“Come, I’ll escort you to your chambers.”

I let him pull me along and lead me through his home, which I have to pretend is mine as well. At least for a month. I know he hopes my feelings will blossom, but I don’t know if that will be possible while I’m still fighting others that have grown without permission.

We stop in front of the doors to my chambers..

“I’ll come get you tomorrow. 111 see if I can bring you good news.”

He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles.

“Get some rest. The night has been far too exciting.”

I’m about to ask him if I could visit Walter, but I think I’ve asked for enough tonight. Tomorrow, when the sun rises, it will be a new day. and I’ll try to gain a bit more ground. I smile and murmur a soft “good night before locking myself in my room.

I run to the mirror–I need to look at my reflection and check if I look as different as I feel. I seem like the same Elara as always, except for those two gray strands in my hair that everyone must think are the result of psychological trauma. I think of Cassian, of all his words, of what we did, and my heart races to the point of pain. I press my palm over the pounding and, looking into my own eyes, I promise myself to understand who I am, to master my nature, and to get out of here.

I will take control of my life and be only myself. Not a feeder, not the key to saving a race—just me.

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