Although, after the things she’d suffered, hell, she might be the first and only queen to retain her humanity. He doubted it, but the mere possibility made him sweat. If Nola remained sweet and passionate...

He scrubbed a hand over his face. If he pitted her against Aveline...like a flower petal trying to battle a thorn?

No, no. She would change. No question.

“You kissed me, and I didn’t sicken,” she said, awed. “I’m—”

“The kiss was a mistake.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, hoping to rid himself of her luscious taste. Needing to. Too good.

She flinched, looking shell-shocked and wounded.

Something in his chest clenched.

The beast bellowed commands to finish what they’d started. Bane beat his fists against his temples. Quiet!

“There will be no more kissing,” he grated. “No more touching.” He couldn’t risk it. His control had too many cracks. He shouldn’t want her this much, anyway. And he damn sure shouldn’t let himself grow to like her.

“But why?” A crease developed between her furrowed brows, and she frowned.

If he boiled his thoughts and concerns down to a single sentence...“I don’t want this, don’t want you, not like this.”

Comprehension dawned, dulling the stars in her dark eyes. “Then you won’t get me.”

Pale and trembling, she swooped down to grab her shirt. After donning the garment, she wrapped her arms around her middle, an instinctive gesture meant to protect one’s vital organs from harm. Guilt seared him.

“By the way. Thanks for nothing,” she said. “I didn’t get sick during our kiss, just afterward.”

Ah. A defensive strike. He’d hurt her, and now she lashed out. His guilt heated anew. “You don’t look sick. You look aroused.”

She shrugged. Shrugged! The action of an uncaring queen who most assuredly did not consider Bane her exclusive property. “I don’t like you, so I’m pretty disgusted with myself for making out with you. But I’ll get over it, and find your replacement. Clearly, I’m over my kiss-and-puke affliction.”

Rage propelled him a step closer. “You belong to me. Any male who dares to enjoy you will die by my hand.” He would kill savagely, and without an ounce of mercy.

Her mouth floundered open and closed. “If I belong to you, you belong to me.”

He belonged to vengeance. “Sorry, but you aren’t my type.” Truth. Cruel to be kind. “I’ve always preferred warrior women.”