Free Electus (Regnum Series Book 1) by K.M. Link Page B

actually. They aren’t so bad,” she lies, her feet screaming in pain. However, she is too annoyed with Quade to admit it.
    “Where did you get that outfit?” he quizzes her, now inches from her.
    “I go out for two hours, and I get interrogated,” she sighs. “I went out, with a friend, who wanted to celebrate today’s victory. That’s all. I borrowed this dress from Fera and the heels, because she wanted me to have some other clothes for the Electus.” Lies are flying out of Tia, leaving a sour taste in her mouth.
    “Was it a guy?” he asks, clenching his fist. Tia just now notices his arm is no longer in a sling.
    “A friend,” is all she answers, starting to anger.
    Quade turns and heads for the stairs. Tia, her feet aching, waits for the elevator. She curses him the whole way up to the fourth floor. In the hallway, they somehow intersect, stomping to their rooms. Neither of them speaking, they slam their doors behind them. Tia rips off her shoes and lets her hair down.
    She hears a knock at the door. “Look Quade, I’m tired,” Tia snaps, answering the door. Quade grabs her and pulls her towards him, his lips planted on hers. They move inside the room. He closes the door as Tia runs her fingers through his hair. She feels a quake deep inside of her. His hands land on her back, tightening on every inch he can grab. Quade pushes her against the wall, his lips traveling down her neck. Everything feels fuzzy, her breath becomes shallow.
    “Tia,” he whispers, “I want you. Please.”
    She struggles with primitive urges and the uneasy feeling in her stomach.
    “I can’t, Quade.” She attempts to push him away, “This is not how I want things to happen. Please.” She is begging him to release her from the wall. Tia knows she could never push him off, even drunk. He doesn’t stop, just continues to pry at her clothes and kiss her.
    He rips her zipper down; she now feels her back against the cold wall, exposed. His other hand travels to the front of her, wandering inside her dress. Tia can smell the liquor on his breath; she is frightened, as he grabs her exposed breast. Finally, she slaps his face with a free hand. “Quade!”
    He releases her from his grasp and stands in shame. His eyes are a bright red, which match his face. They both catch their breath. She pulls her dress back up and zips it. Tia doesn’t even recognize him, this is not the Quade she knows and loves. Hot tears slide down her face, she is frightened by what almost happened.
    “I’m sorry, Tia. I am not acting very rationally right now,” he admits, rubbing his face where Tia hit him.
    She walks over to him and lifts his chin in her hand. His eyes are bloodshot and glazed over. "Seems to me you had quite a bit of alcohol tonight. Why don't you lay down on my bed for a bit. I'll make you some coffee,” she offers.
    Quade nods. She enters the kitchen as he heads for her bed.
    "Do you still take it black?" she questions.
    "Yes, thank you," Quade answers. He looks across the bed and notices the wrapping from the package Javan sent. Out of curiosity, he leans over and grabs a note.
    "So, how was your time with Dan? Is he as nice as you thought he was?" Tia inquires, walking back towards the bed. She catches Quade reading the note from earlier. He just sits, staring at it, without a word.
    "Quade?” she begins, uncertain of his reaction.
    He glances up at her, holding up the note. “What is this, Tia?"
    She is frozen. He peers at her dress, then at the note. "He was the one who you were with?" His voice is somehow calm.
    "It's not what you think, he wanted to congratulate me." Tia fiddles with her necklace.
    "He is a leader of a Capitol, Tia. Are you crazy? Some guy you don't know just invites you to ‘celebrate’ with him. Without telling anyone where you are going, you just take off!” His voice is louder than Tia believes is necessary.
    "Well, we know a little bit about him,” she mumbles.
    "Tia, do you realize how messed up