Violet had closed her eyes for several minutes, but even though Asher didn't hurt her, the tension in the room had become unbearable.
Her senses were on edge, her awareness of his every movement amplified by her inability to see. The air felt electric, charged with the weight of his presence.
"You don't have to do this, Violet," Asher murmured, his hands finding her hair once again, tenderly massaging her scalp. The gods knew it felt so good, a deliberate move to disarm her.
She almost fell for it.
"I would never harm you," he whispered, his arm slipping around her waist and pulling her against the warmth of his body.
"Really?" Violet retorted coldly. "You would never harm me? You mean the same way you let me get bullied earlier today?" Her voice dripped with venom as she referred to the humiliating scenting ceremony.
She would never forget that incident. Not in the nearest future.
