Page 20 of The Stolen Throne

I don’t hesitate to answer. “I would beg for the lives of my men.”

She looks up briefly to take in the hundreds of men around us. Her eyes meet mine again as she questions in confusion, “Your men?”

I can feel the edge of the dagger digging deeper into my skin when I swallow. “Yes. I would beg for Asher, Kasim, Reverie, Alair, Benedict, and Branimir’s lives. I would beg until my very last breath.” And I would. I don’t think love is the word I would use for them, but we have a brotherhood and a bond I would kill for. That I would die for.

Her gaze turns curious as she asks, “Is there anyone else you would beg for?”

Why would she ask that? An odd question after what I’ve revealed. I’m not sure if I want to say more. My eyes narrow as I reply, “You wouldn't believe me if I said.”

She presses down on the dagger as she insists, “Try me.”

I wince at the sharp bite of the blade against my throat, then huff out a sigh and say, “You.”

Her eyes widen with disbelief. “Me?”

Keeping my expression neutral, I say, “You should kiss your true love. I've been told that true love's kiss solves everything.” I’m not sure where that came from, but I already said it, so I may as well go with it. I don’t think for one moment she will go through with it, but it is fun to tease with her.

Her eyes turn playful, and her grip on the dagger wavers. “And who is my true love? Or would it be loves, considering you said you would share with them? A villainous prince and his men as my true loves?”

My eyes do not waver from hers as I reply, “Yes.” Before she has time to react, I slam my lips to hers. I have to hold back a moan at how good she tastes. I wanted to taste her so badly when I ran my knife across her skin earlier. I feel the cold steel slowly slip away from my neck, then hear the thump of the dagger hitting the earth beside us before she reaches out to run her fingers through my hair.

I groan when her grip tightens, and she pulls me closer. I can't help the tilt of my lips as I deepen the kiss. Fuck doe-eyed princes, white steeds, and happy-ever-afters. I'd kill for this woman. I would watch the kingdoms fall and laugh while they burned so long as she is by my side.

A villain is a misunderstood hero, and a hero is a glorified villain. I suppose it depends on who is telling the story. I may be the villain to many throughout this kingdom, but I'll gladly take on that role if it means the ones I care about will be safe.

I'm left panting when the kiss ends, and I look into her eyes. She looks confused and slightly horrified. My hand slips up between us, and I cup her cheek, my thumb brushing across her bottom lip. “If you need me to be the villain in your story, I do not mind. But I need you to understand that once you are mine, that is it. I shall be a sword for you to wield upon this kingdom. I will go to war for you. I will kill all those who wish to harm you.”

“Dax,” she rasps.

“My men and I are yours if you wish it.” My voice is softer than I ever expected it to be.

Her eyes widen when she realizes we are now encircled by my six brothers-in-arms. “What is that supposed to mean?”

With my other hand, I grip her thigh and explain, “I have watched you as often as you have watched them. I see the way you look at them with hunger and desire.” My grip tightens until she looks back at me. “You are my Little Raven. I will only share you with them if you wish to have them. But only them. No one else.”

I move my hand from her cheek to slide it through her hair, then tightly grip the strands. I force her face to mine as I growl in warning. “If I ever find out you were with a male other than us, you will see a true villain. Am I understood?”

She’s panting as she looks into my eyes, and I watch her pupils shrink and then blow wide. “What would you do?”

I nip her lower lip, and she lets out hiss. I grin. “Test me, Little Raven, and find out.”

13

EIRA

Not going to lie… I hate walking the hallways of the castle by myself. Well, not every hallway. Mainly the ones with the covered mirrors. I could swear I heard whispers coming from them, which was even creepier because no one else seemed to notice them.

Why am I wandering the halls unguarded, you may ask? Kas. Kas is the reason. He has been acting weird ever since Dax’s announcement claiming that I was theirs. It’s his day to guard me, and I can’t find him anywhere. Again. The last time I saw him was when we were all called to a meeting with Dax to discuss battle strategy. Which just so happened to be a few hours after his announcement.

Feeling eyes on me, I look around the room and find Kasim glaring. He honestly seems to be focusing all his energy on making sure I don’t leave his sight. Huffing out a sigh, I ask, “What could I possibly have done now to earn your hostility?”

He shrugs, continuing to glare at me. “Nothing and everything.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why are you glaring at me?”

“Is it rude to say I’m hoping you’ll spontaneously combust?”

My eyes widen and I shriek, “Yes! Yes, it's very rude, Kasim.”

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