A DANGEROUS AGREEMENT VALERIA My brain finally connected with reality , and it told me I was lying on my side on a bed .


    Not chained .


    Not imprisoned .


    Not bound .


    And definitely very much alive .


    I felt an incredible vitality surging inside me , healing , repairing my wounds .


    Confused , I opened my eyes halfway , staring at an old wooden wall I know this wallpaper its from the inn where we were staying , in that … pack where I was kidnapped and taken to those vampires who sold me as a ve , and then … then the Lycan King rescued me ! Up to that point , everything had been terrifying , but manageable .


    However , the memories of all the sexual things I did with King Aldric afterward … were impossible to bear ! Phrases like … I need you to touch me more , Aldric … and … I want to taste you like you did with mine … short- circuited my mind .


    Uuuuhhhh ! I grabbed the pillow and screamed into it , burying my face full of shame .


    Did the King leave me here at the inn ? Most likely .


    And honestly , for the best because I dont think I could ever face him again after what I did .


    Are you done suffocating yourself with the pillow ? His deep voice echoed behind me , and I froze .


    This mans habit of silently lurking is going to give me a heart attack one day .


    Valeria , turn around and face me , he ordered .


    I considered ying dead .


    Dead from being a shameless slut .


    What a fitting end for my disaster of a life .


    In the end , I had to turn slowly , keeping my gaze down , cheeks burning there was no way to pretend I didnt .


    remember .


    Especially when my eyesnded directly on his crotch .


    He was sitting in a chair beside the bed , legs spread , wearing dark trousers .


    By the Goddess , I clearly remembered how that monstrous thing pulsed in my mouth , how hot and delicious it was Dont do that , Valeria .


    Your scent is too tempting … He leaned forward , and I lifted my eyes only to find his narrowed gray ones just inches from my face .


    That masculine , sexy face so perfect had been buried between my legs , giving me pleasure Id only dreamed of in the past Dorian had never loved me that passionately .


    I swallowed hard and jerked back , pressing myself against the wall , clutching the pillow protectively .


    A DANGEROUS AGREEMENT As if I wasnt the one who had practically molested the King Hes the one who needs protection from me .


    Thank you , Your Majesty , for searching for me and rescuing me , I said , forcing my thoughts into order , speaking as steadily as I could .


    I … I apologize .


    Im deeply ashamed .


    I understand if you wish for me to leave the castle and never return NO .


    His voice was sharp , cutting Look at me , Valeria .


    Look at me .


    Dont make me repeat myself .


    Hismand made me meet his gaze , gripping the pillow tighter in my fists .


    Youre not going anywhere .


    You belong right here , with me .


    What happened … it wasnt your fault .


    It was a forbidden sexual spell , used on ves to keep them aroused for their masters .


    His words shocked me .


    That woman … Adeles sister … She put something inside me a weird ck creature , I remembered , shivering That wretched woman had done something cruel to me .


    Shes dead now .


    But she left a bewitched Aurum butterfly inside your body .


    A female one .


    Its still there .


    Still ? But ….


    in the forest… after what we did … didnt it cure me ? I feel fine now , I whispered , panicked .


    It didnt cure you , Valeria .


    It was only satisfied for now .


    Until we find the male counterpart , it wont leave your body .


    Aldric exined it so calmly , sitting there with his powerful arms crossed over his chest , while I … I was on the verge of hyperventting .


    This meant I was cursed to turn into a desperate , needy woman every time that damned whore butterfly craved sex Valeria , calm down .


    Breathe .


    Youre sweating .


    Slow down Come on , slower … He moved onto the bed , the wood creaking under his weight as he patted my back gently .


    S Sir … Where can I find the cure ? I … I cant live like this forever ! What do I do when I have another … crisis ? Ive already sent a spy into the underworld to find the sorcerer holding the male counterpart , he replied .


    And as for dealing with the next crisis … His voice dropped lower , turning husky.


    I think we both know how we can handle that .


    His tone was suggestive .


    We were too close .


    Sitting together on the narrow bed , my back pressed against the wall , his broad frame trapping me in .


    His hand slid to my bent legs , tracing slow ,zy circles along my skin .


    He didnt say anything else just waited for me .


    I finally lifted my gaze , examining his steel sharp eyes , searching for deception .


    20  A DANGEROUS AGREEMENT But there was none .


    Only raw , unmasked desire burning there .


    Everything I experiencedst night reyed in my mind the way my body had truly felt alive , desired , wanted .


    Never , not once , had this man looked at my scars with disgust .


    Why was it that when I was beautiful , the wolf I gave everything to had rejected me for another woman , but now , when I was broken and scarred … someone could actually want me ? I dont like sharing a bed with other women , I blurted out bluntly .


    My mind was spinning .


    I wont , he answered without hesitation .


    While this agreementsts , I wont touch other women .


    And neither will you touch other men .


    Why was he doing this for a broken , ugly maid ? This time , I didnt avoid his gaze .


    I searched for a trap , a lie .


    But there was nothing .


    He held my stare , raw , unguarded showing me exactly what he wanted .


    What did I have to lose by trying ? To finally feel what it was like to be wanted to have a passionate man im my body , make me feel desired .


    Would people think I was just another one of King Aldrics temporary toys ? I didnt care anymore .


    When I had lived my life pretending to be perfect , it had brought me nothing but pain .


    It would be just for a while .


    Then we would go back to normal two adults , temporary lovers … No consequences .


    Nothing to lose .


    Fine .


    I ept your terms , Your Majesty .


    Ill … bother you whenever I … need your help .


    You can bother me as often as you want .


    Anytime .


    Anywhere .


    Ill never say no , he replied in that husky , dangerous whisper , his eyes trailing toward my lips .


    A wild flutter spread through my chest , my belly tightening with heat .


    It had to be the spells fault .


    I thought I was just gambling on a few moments of reckless passion .


    But what I had truly wagered … was my heart .