Chapter 41

I covet you,” he said baldly.

She laughed at him. “You want my powers. Nothing more. I’m just another instrument of the king of the Wastes.”

“Is that so bad?” he asked, closing the distance once more. His hand came up under her chin and tilted her head up to look at him. “Is it so bad to be wanted? For your powers, for exactly who you are, Maya? I don’t want you to be anything else. You don’t have to change for me. You can be as brilliant as you are, right here, with me.”

His lips dipped down toward hers, but she wrenched back before he could finish. She was not going to fall helplessly into Dozan Rook’s arms. She didn’t want to play that

She slapped him across the face—hard. “Don’t you dare presume to kiss me.”

He grinned like a Cheshire cat. “I do love your fight.”

“You lied to me. You want to use me. You’re a scoundrel and an asshole.”

“I am what I am, Maya,” he whispered her name like a prayer, holding his hands out in front of him.

“I’m done,” she spat at him. “I’m just done. The