Chapter 39 · You Really Do Enjoy Making This Difficult

"You really do enjoy making this difficult."

Lucan's arm locked around Nora's waist before she could reach the crack in the floor. His chest pressed against her back, his breath hot against her neck.

She drove her elbow into his ribs.

He grunted but held on. "You could've warned me."

"You could've stopped grabbing me."

"You would've walked straight into a royal death mark."

"Then stop me without treating me like property."

"I own nothing in this room."

"That's the first honest thing you've said tonight."

The mark beneath Nora's ribs flared.

Heat tore up her side. Red lines spread beneath her skin, climbing toward her collarbone. At the center, a crown split down the middle burned into view.

Lucan's grip loosened.

"Nora."

"Don't."

"That's a royal death mark."

"I know what it is."

"It means the order has chosen you."

"No. It means someone wants the order to choose me."

She shoved out of his hold. The warmth of him vanished, leaving her skin cold and furious.

Lucan reached for her wrist.

Nora slapped his hand away. "Touch me without asking again and I'll break your fingers."

"You won't get the chance if that mark reaches your throat.