Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

Magnus's POV

I had thought Zara had leaned into the kiss. But I had been mistaken.

Suddenly, she shoved against my chest. It was hesistant at first, my lips refusing to part from hers but then she bit down—hard—on my lower lip, her teeth sinking in just enough to draw blood.

Fuck!

I jerked back, my fingers brushing against the sting, feeling the warmth of blood smear against my skin. Before I could react, her hand lashed out, a sharp crack echoing through the room as her palm connected with my face. My head snapped to the side from the force of it.

Anger coursed through me, but when I turned to look at her, her eyes gleamed with defiance still, her chest rising and falling with anger.

"I told you never to kiss me," she spat, her voice was sharp, cold and unwavering.

"Zara—" I started, my patience wearing thin.

"Don't," she cut me off, her tone filled with venom. "You want to treat me like a prisoner? Then do it. But don't fool yourself into thinking we're something because of the bond. We are not lovers."

She shoved past me, her shoulder colliding with mine as she stormed to the door. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open and disappeared down the hall leaving me standing there—stunned, furious, and with the taste of blood still on my tongue.

What the hell just happened?

She had slapped me. Rejected me. And then had the audacity to demand that I treat her like a prisoner?

She wanted me to treat her like a prisoner? Fine. But she had no idea what that truly meant. No more games. No more softness. She would learn—one way or another—that I was not a man to defy.

I let out a sharp exhale, forging my rage into something darker—something more dangerous. No more leniency. No more pretending. She was leverage, nothing more. I would treat her as such.

The door creaked open, and Viktor walked in. He barely made it two steps before halting, his eyes fell over me—naked, blood still fresh on my lips. He shifted uncomfortably, crossing his arms. "Uh.... should I come back later?

I ignored the awkwardness in his gaze and reached for my robe, pulling it on. "What is it?"

"I just saw Zara storm out of here," he said, watching me closely. Then his voice turned a little hard. "What the hell just happened?"

"Nothing," I replied in a clipped tone as I fastened my robe, my movements stiff and precise.

Viktor scoffed. "Yeah? Because it sure looked like something."

I leveled him with a glare, but he didn't back down.

"The men are talking, Magnus. They think you're going soft. Zara is your mate and you're treating her more like a guest than a hostage. If you keep this up, they are going to start doubting the mission."

I exhaled though my nose, balling my fists at my side. "Not anymore."

Viktor arched a brow. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." My voice was cold. "From this moment on, she gets the exact treatment she deserves. No more kindness. No more patience."

Relief flickered across Viktor's face, as he schooled my features before nodding. "Good. We need to stay focused and not jinx everything we've worked too hard for. The throne won't seize itself and Ashen would never stop chasing after us."

"By tomorrow, we will send another message to Ashen and get this done with."

"Yes, my prince," he replied, but I shot him a glare. He knows how much I hated to be called that but he never stopped. Then he continued. "I will pass a message across to our spy. We need to know what Ashen had been up to. I bet he feels miserable without his bride."

"Do that," I replied dryly, the weight of Zara's words still pressing down on me.

I walked past him, snatching my phone from the table. With quick, deliberate movements, I sent another message to Nerissa. This time, her response was swift.

I'm coming.

Thank moon goddess.

A few minutes later, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," I called.

The door swung open, and Nerissa stepped inside, her dark eyes scanning me with an intensity that sent a ripple of something unreadable through my chest. Viktor taking the cue, bowed his head and walked out, leaving us alone.

Nerissa's lips curled slightly. "You look pissed."

"Because I am." My voice was rougher than I intended.

She stepped closer, reaching out to touch my jaw, her fingers brushing against the bruises Zara had left. "She did this?"

I didn't answer.

Nerissa let out a bitter laugh. "I really can't believe you, Magnus. You wanted to sleep with her?" Her voice were as hard as steel. Did you really think any woman besides me would want you? You’re just a rogue, Magnus. You should be grateful.”

"I won't—"

"Enough, Nerissa," I cut her off, my anger spilling over. "Don't you ever talk to me in such a rash manner ever again," I warned. If there was something that annoyed me more than Zara's defiance was the fact that Nerissa would act like she was doing me a huge favour by being with me.

She sighed, crossing her arms, her chest rising and falling with anger.

The silence in the room was almost deafening as I turned away from her and sat on the couch.

Then she stepped closer, her lips quirking up as she leaned in. "Let me break her," she whispered, her lips brushing against my ear. "You can't bring yourself to do that, can you?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples to tame my anger and focus on the task at hand. "Do whatever you want with her."

Nerissa's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "Now that's the Magnus I know." She pressed a kiss to my lips, one I didn't bother to return. When she pulled away, she said, "Let's get back to work. I can't wait to become Luna already. Let's get back out throne."

I forced a smile and nodded.

Moments later, with guards flanking us, we burst into Zara's room.

She shrieked, scrambling back against the wall as the door slammed open. Her wide eyes darted between me and Nerissa, fear flickering across her delicate features.

She wanted to see me as a monster? Fine. Let’s see how long her defiance lasts.

I let the silence stretch, let the weight of my presence sink in before I spoke, my voice cold and merciless. "Seize her."