Chapter 114

Nine: Tobias Tobias's P.O.V.

'I don't like this."

The words continued to run through my mind, flooding me with guilt as I tried to understand what Ihad done wrong. Joselin had called it flirting, and I called it seducing, but in the end, we were bothenjoying each other.

I didn't want her to seduce me. I wanted her to fall in love with me.

I leaned back on the couch, needing a minute to myself while Natalie was with Killian. I was nolonger on her full-time detail as her bodyguard, but as I was on-call and worried about the newthreat Joselin was looking into, I was staying close.

Joselin was the only positive thing about being stuck in the castle all day. Having her around madedealing with the rest of the council members tolerable. Still, I felt out of my mind, surrounded by allthese women trying to kill each other constantly, even more so now that I had upset Joselin.

I thought we were having fun, flirting, and sparring. But she didn't like it.

I needed to talk to her about it, but she seemed more determined than ever to avoid me.Something that she hadn't done in a long time. How could I understand what I had done wrongwhen the infuriating woman wouldn't speak to me?

"You look tense. Want to talk about it?"

I glanced down, my top lip curling up in disgust as a hand was placed on my shoulder from behindthe couch. Her long grey nails curled to have their points against the skin of my chest, and I bit backa groan of annoyance. She was a council member, one that I was very familiar with.

Rona laughed at her own joke as she moved around the arm of the couch, her hand sliding acrossmy shoulders and the back of my neck as she did so.

She had been a little terror as a child, and I knew she was just as bad as an adult. It had been anenormous disappointment when her mother died. As soon as the news reached the kingdom, Icould feel Joselin's turmoil at the realization that she would have to work with Rona now.

"Oh, come on. Don't be so serious."

I refused to look at her, staring straight ahead as she sat on the couch next to me, so close that herthigh pressed against mine.

My beast bristled with irritation, and I ignored her, checking in with one of the guards stationedoutside the hallway of Killian's office to see if Joselin had left yet. She wouldn't get away from mewithout telling me what I had done wrong and how I could make it up to her.

I knew she wasn't so arrogant as to be angry that I had bested her in front of a crowd. She hadnever had a problem with that before. It used to just make her try harder to win. It was one of thethings I admired about her.

My quiet solitude had been interrupted by Rona. But it was entirely destroyed by a group ofwarriors entering the sitting room to relax on their break. If I couldn't wait here alone, I would justgo into Joselin's tower and wait for her there.

The guard confirmed she was on her way down, and I tried not to smile at the news.

I pushed off the arm of the couch, ready to stand but freezing when Rona lifted her legs and placedthem over my lap.

"I've been trying to figure out what makes you tick for a while now. What it is that you like. I thinkthe silent act is all a game, and you probably like being in control.” She placed one hand on my chest as she leaned in, her other resting on my kneeas she let out a low, airy giggle that made my skin crawl. "Is that it? Do you like taking control,Tobias?"

I almost snorted as I imagined tying her up and leaving her hanging in the dungeons. Maybe thenshe would get the hint.

My beast was ready to come forward, to take control and rip the wicked witch's legs from her bodyto get them off me, but I held him back. I couldn't disrespect a council member, especially one ascrazy as Rona.

I lifted my hands, not wanting to touch her. But without physically removing her, it didn't seem likeshe was going anywhere.

Joselin's scent tickled my nose, and I felt my beast calm as I looked up and saw her standing in thedoorway. Her hands were in fists at her sides as she glared not at the woman putting me in thisuncomfortable situation but at me. She was livid. The designs on her skin vibrated quickly like shewere a bomb ready to explode.

I jumped up, ignoring the malicious laugh next to me as Rona's feet roughly hit the ground. Sheknew exactly what she was doing.

"Josie," Rona called out, standing up next to me. I started moving away from Rona, stepping towardJoselin but pausing when she backed up. The pain on her face was quickly masked by anger, and Ishook my head as I silently denied whatever story or theory she had brewing in her brain. "Don'tyou just love a man who takes control? I was just learning how Tobias loves to dominate in thebedroom.”

Joselin's head turned as her eyes fell on the redhead next to me. "I warned you that today was notthe day for you to start your shit.”

My eyes widened as Joselin thrust her hand forward, sending Rona across the room and through thewindow. The sound of the glass shattering was followed by guards running to the source of thenoise. Those already in the room stood frozen, watching with wide eyes.

"Oh, this is going to be fun.” Rona chuckled as she stood in the grass, shaking the pieces of glassfrom her hair. A small shard stuck out of her cheek, and she pulled it out without flinching, lettingher blood drip from her cheek and onto the ground.

Joselin flickered for a moment before appearing on the other side of the window, a twisted smile onher perfect lips. "I've been looking forward to this for years."

My bones popped as I jumped through the window, shifting into my Lycan form as quickly aspossible to stand by Joselin's side. I may not have magic, but I could fight for her until my lastbreath.

The fact that she was willing to fight for me too, made me hopeful that there could be morebetween us one day. I let out a snarl as Rona walked forward, flinging her hands in front of her asshe threw rapid castings at Joselin. I wasn't concerned about Joselin's ability to handle herself. Still, Iwas relieved as my witch easily blocked each attack without any effort.

If anything, Joselin looked bored, angering Rona even more.

Joselin rushed forward when Rona was only a few feet away, slamming her fist into Rona's face. I letout a growl of excitement, eager for my chance to defend my woman but enjoying watching mylittle warrior witch kicking ass.

Rona's head snapped to the side, and Joselin pulled her arm back to strike again.

I didn't understand why she wasn't using her magic, but I knew how good a solid punch felt, and Ithink Joselin needed to get it out of her system. Her whole body seemed to relax as she let out heranger in the hit.

"That is enough!” Natalie shouted, using her powers to separate the two women. "I am tired ofalways having to break up fights!"

Joselin didn't bother to struggle against the hold Natalie had on her, but Rona was furious. "Shetried to kill me!"

"And I'm sure you were the instigator!" Natalie yelled back, her power pushing out around her,making me want to submit to the Queen.

Rona went silent and crossed her arms with a glare but eventually gave in, submitting to Natalie.Natalie growled lowly, and Rona lowered her head even more before turning and walking off.Joselin also dropped her head and turned to walk away, with me following right on her heels. Heractions only added to my questions. Had she been fighting for me?

She didn't bother closing the door behind her as she took off up the winding staircase of her towerto her study.

"You didn't need to do that," I smirked, crossing my arms as I noticed she avoided looking at mynaked form. "I didn't touch her or encourage her. But you fighting over me was really fucking hot.”Her back stiffened, and I was tempted to walk up and start rubbing her shoulders, maybe trail a lineof kisses between her shoulder blades. "Don't worry, Tobias. You made your stance clear. I'm notgoing to keep throwing myself at you. Your virtue is safe.”

She snorted as she forced a laugh, just like she would have before she had become open about herattraction to me. The knowledge that she wouldn't touch me or try to get my attention anymoremade me feel empty and cold. My beast was livid inside me, and I held him back from takingcontrol as I tried to figure out how to tell Joselin to wait a little longer for me.

Joselin carefully pulled the ring off her swollen knuckle, lifting it to be seen clearly in the sunlight.The wet, crimson-red liquid on the stone's setting made me feel pride for my witch. Having theblood of an enemy was a powerful tool. "Besides, I got exactly what I was there for."