I just needed to make sure everyone else in Silvano Region understood that.
Damien nodded. “I’ll let you know which territory I desire, but I’ll focus first on your list of contenders. It’s going to be long.”
“I know.” My kind adored hierarchy and respected age. All they required was a stern reminder of why they should bow to me. I’d use Damien’s list as a starting point, publicly put those opposing me in their place, and go from there. “Are you done with your sandwich, pet?”
I ran my thumb up and down Willow’s spine once more and listened as her pulse sped up.
“Yes, My Prince,” she said, addressing me formally.
I glanced at Damien. “Is that a thing I should get used to?”
“Yes, My Prince,” he repeated, his lips hiking upward in a taunting grin. “You’re a royal now.”
“Indeed, I am,” I replied. “In a society I don’t fully comprehend.” I’d witnessed enough to grasp the ins and outs, but I wasn’t as well versed in the human norms and rules.
Which actually gave me an idea.
I grabbed Willow’s hip and spun her on the stool, forcing her to face me and give Damien her back. “I now have a use for you.”
She didn’t meet my gaze, her submission resolute.
It irritated the shit out of me.
“Look at me when I talk to you, Willow,” I demanded.
“She’s trained not to,” Damien put in.
I muttered a curse. “When in private or around just me and Damien, I want you always to look at us. Fuck the rules.” I caught her chin between my thumb and forefinger to draw her gaze upward in demonstration. “All right?”
“Yes, My Prince.”
“Yeah, cut that shit out, too. Call me Ryder.”
“Another thing she’s taught not to call you,” Damien unhelpfully informed me. Well, technically, it was helpful. I just didn’t care for the inane edict.
“You can go now, Damien,” I told him.
He lifted a shoulder. “I have work to do anyway.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I’ll see myself out, then.” He flashed me a shit-eating grin before leaving. I waited until I heard the alarm engage again—something Damien did by pressing a button for me outside at the gate—before I locked gazes with Willow once more.
“You’re going to help me learn more about society’s current rules for humans,” I advised her. “I assume you’ve also taken classes in the current political structure?”
She blinked at me. “I… yes.”
“You know the names of all the royals and clan alphas?” I pressed. Most of them I knew as well. This was more valuable in terms of her being able to keep up with me when required.
“Yes. At least those who were in leadership roles while I was in university.”
“You’re year one hundred and what again?”
“Seventeen.”
“Which is the current year,” I said. “So you were only in the camps for a few months since the Blood Day ceremony wasn’t too long ago.” Something I only knew because of my recent stay with the Clemente Clan. The new alpha’s male playmate had been a recent addition to his territory from the Immortal Cup.
Her eyes flashed. “Only a few months?”
“Yes, pet. Maybe one or two. I’m not sure because I’ve never attended.”
“But you’re a royal,” she protested. “All royals attend.”
“Which, I suppose, means I’ll be at the next one. How fortunate for me,” I deadpanned.
Her lips parted, but no words escaped, as if I’d stolen her ability to reply. Good. This wasn’t the point of our discussion.
“You will teach me more about current customs,” I said. Not because I intended to adhere to any of the ridiculous ordinances, but because I just wanted to be aware of them. “And in private, you will always address me as Ryder. You will also look at me when I speak to you. Actually, none of the rules apply when we’re together. I’d rather you be whoever you are, not some mindless puppet.”
Now her mouth reminded me of a fish, her eyes wide with confusion.
“That’s not an attractive look, Willow,” I told her. “You’re supposed to be intriguing me, remember? Or did you lose your will to survive when Damien appeared?”
Her nostrils flared in response, but she said nothing.
“Wrong answer, pet.” I curled my fingers around her hip and yanked her into me, my opposite hand going to her throat.
Flames flourished in her blue depths. “What do you want me to say?”
“Words.”
“Words,” she repeated.
I narrowed my gaze. “Creative words.”
“Creative words.”
I started to squeeze, just enough to inform her that this little game of hers was not working for me. “Careful, Willow. Your disobedience will lead us to a place you might not enjoy.”
“But isn’t my disobedience exactly what you want from me?” she countered.
My annoyance melted marginally. “Are you being clever, little pet?”
“I don’t understand you,” she said as I wrapped an arm around her lower back, holding her to me while my opposite hand remained around her throat.
So delicate and pretty.
Fragile yet strong.
“Mmm, you really do interest me, pet,” I praised her, deciding to allow her earlier slip into her society programming. Because I could see the fighter beneath the demure exterior. I just had to work on coaxing her out to play. “This world is designed to break humans, which makes your resilience that much more alluring.”
“Are you applauding me for having a will to live?”
“I am.”
“Maybe I don’t,” she suggested, all signs of her submission disappearing beneath a wave of defiance.
“I think you do, Willow.” I slowly released her and took a step backward. “I think you haven’t survived this long just to give up now. Which is why you’re going to follow me upstairs like an obedient pet and let me show you to your new room.”
I could keep her in the basement, but I had a much more comfortable guest area attached to my suite. So long as she didn’t try to attack me with another hammer, I’d allow her to stay there.
“Are you done with this?” I asked, lifting her plate.
“Yes,” she replied, glancing at her half-eaten sandwich. “I’m… not used to large meals.”
Another issue with societal programming. Rather than comment on it, I discarded the rest of her food and set her plate in the sink. “Follow me.”
She didn’t argue.
She didn’t try to grab a knife from the block on my counter as we walked by it.
She merely trailed after me, up the stairs, down the long hall, and to the door at the end. I opened it to reveal a seating area that joined two bedrooms together. Pointing to the one on the left, I said, “That’s where I sleep. I don’t recommend entering it unless you want to fuck.” I led her to the other room, walked through the threshold, and added, “You’ll be staying in here.”
It had a queen bed, two dressers, a nightstand, a connected bathroom, and a walk-in closet. The room also opened to the wraparound balcony that spanned my entire suite. Her doors had sensors on them, though, so I would know if she stepped outside. Being on the second floor should deter her from trying to escape, but something told me this female might try it anyway.