Chapter 187 Knife play.

Chapter 187 Knife play.
Adriana
I jerked my knives out from their sashes and held them forward by reflex. My face was still covered, largely because I loved the fact that Jared had put the mask on me.
The intruder held up two books as weapons, using them to shield his face, but I knew that stance anywhere. “Cody?”
“Adriana!”
Cody dropped the books in shock, his eyes sweeping over me from head to toe, taking in my attire.
I realized I was showing a lot of flesh. I pulled myself together, stood up straight, and cleared my throat. “What are you doing here at this time of night?” I asked smoothly, as if he hadn’t just caught me sneaking into my room dressed like a slut.
Cody just gaped at me, unable to form words.
I stalked to my dresser and pulled my robe on to cover myself. “Cody.” I snapped him out of it. “I asked what you’re doing here.”
Cody shook his head as if he were trying to clear it, but it was anger, not confusion, that laced his voice when he spoke. “No. NO. NO!” He came toward me angrily. “You are not going to pretend I didn’t see you jump into this room like an assassin, dressed like a sl—”
I gave him a look that made him swallow the word.
“Where have you been dressed like that, Adriana?” The anger was still there, but now it was mixed with a bit of worry and fear.
I sighed. “I… I…” I had no excuses. Lying wasn’t really my thing. Besides, I was the queen. “I can’t tell you.”
“Wait. Are you bleeding?”
I followed his eyes to see a small bruise on my thigh. It wasn’t even a cut; it was a mere bruise.
I wiggled my thigh before wrapping the robe to cover my front. “It’s nothing,” I brushed it off. “It’ll heal before the end of the week.”
“No!” Cody was having none of it. He pulled open the last drawer of my dressing table and pulled out my little first-aid kit. It was surprising that he knew exactly where to check.
“You’re not going to put that on me.” I nodded to the rubbing alcohol and cotton wool.
Cody raised a brow in challenge. “It’s either me or the royal physician. Which means more people will know that you’ve been out of your room tonight, and then more people will see you wearing… that. Take your pick.”
He looked like he wouldn’t budge. Although I knew he was never going to bring more people into this, I let him have his way.
I didn’t take off the robe completely, just let it fall enough to give him access to my thigh.
“I’m guessing this isn’t the first time you’re sneaking out,” Cody murmured, his face close to my thigh, his breath warm on my skin.
It was hard not to recall the bone-shattering orgasm I had experienced earlier today. My thoughts were straying; my skin was tingling. But I couldn’t decipher if the feeling was just from memory or if it had anything to do with the man in front of me.
“Adriana…” Cody rumbled.
I found myself jerking back to the present and reality.
Cody had cleaned the wound and applied a healing balm, and now he was looking at me with desire in his eyes. I knew my own eyes held a certain reflection of that desire. I was giving him the wrong signals.
I pulled my robe up and tried to move away. “Thank you.”
Cody grabbed my wrist. “At least tell me where you’ve been.”
“Just the city. I realized I do not know much about the kingdom I rule. I wanted to know the place as a person, not just as a queen.” It was the most honest response I could give him.
Cody’s grip moved up to my shoulders. “I don’t fault your intentions, Dria, but your methods are questionable. You were without protection.”
I lifted my knives to challenge his last sentence. “You should know, I put up a good fight.”
“The streets are not safe,” he countered.
I angled my head. “How do you know that?”
Cody sighed.
“You. You are one of the reasons I have to do this. I have to step out there and figure things out myself. You all hide things from me. You’ve made me a stranger in the city I rule,” I said harshly.
“We’re doing what’s best for you. We need you safe,” he argued.
“Why?” It was bait. Hard, fast, and enticing bait.
“Because you’re a woman.”
No sooner had the words left his lips than my knife settled against his neck, slightly tearing the skin but not drawing blood. “The next time you say that word, or even imply it… I assure you, it will be your last.”
Cody met my eyes, his glance glittering with no evidence of fear. “It would be a wonderful way to die. By your hands.”
Something had to be wrong with me—this could not be me, something must have come over me—because in the next second, my lips were against Cody’s, and I was kissing him.