Chapter 12: The Taste of Poison
Bryant didn't speak to her for two days.
Not a word.
Not a glance.
The silence was louder than anything he could've said.
Evelyn didn't mind.
At least, that's what she told herself.
She ate alone. Walked alone. Read by the windows until night swallowed the sky.
But still—she felt him watching.
Every time she passed a hall.
Every time she leaned too close to a guard's blade for comfort.
His silence was made of eyes.
And need.
And denial so thick it bled through stone.
—
The letter arrived that evening.
Black envelope. Red wax. A single rose emblem pressed into the seal.
Damon.
She opened it.
> I have a gift for you.
One you won't find in chains or collars.
Come to my estate tomorrow night.
Come alone.
She didn't react.
Just tucked it into the folds of her cloak and walked downstairs.
Bryant was in the training courtyard.
Shirtless. Sword in hand. Body gleaming with sweat and fury.
She didn't announce herself.
He saw her anyway.
Their eyes locked.
"You're avoiding me," she said flatly.
"You're dangerous."
"To you?"
"To everything."
She stepped into the ring.
Barefoot.
No fear.
"Then fight me."
He stared.
"You'll lose."
"Then make me bleed."
She lunged.
Quick.
Unexpected.
Her palm cracked across his jaw—hard enough to sting, not enough to damage.
Bryant froze.
Then dropped the sword.
His hands were on her in a second.
Not around her throat this time.
Around her waist.
He pinned her against the wall—again—but this time there was no fury.
Just breathing.
Just heat.
"You really want to break me, don't you?" he whispered.
"No," she said, "I want you to admit you're already breaking."
His hands slid lower. Fingers digging into her hips, like he didn't trust himself to let go.
And for a second—
Just one—
She thought he might kiss her.
But instead—
His lips brushed her neck.
Just above the collar.
A whisper of skin. A silent promise.
Then he stepped back.
Cold again.
But his voice trembled.
"I saw Damon's letter."
Her heart skipped.
"And?"
"If you go," Bryant said quietly, "I will burn his entire estate to the ground."
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[End of Chapter 12]