Page 84 of Merciless Prince
None of them could see me. Earlier, I spent several hours tapping on my window panes and waving frantically, but no one noticed. They were all far too busy racing around the courtyard, having fun and stuffing their faces with turkey legs and funnel cakes. Besides, even if someonedidnotice me, what could they do to help me? How would they even know I was in trouble? They’d probably take one look at me and assume I was just another tourist up in the castle, giving them a friendly wave from my window.
Tears welled in my eyes as I watched two little girls with gaudy princess crowns stroke a miniature pony below my window. I never thought I’d be envious of children at a Halloween-themed medieval fair, but here I was, desperately wishing I could run down and join them. Wishing I could turn back time and go to a place where everything in my life was happy and vibrant, and the worst thing I had to worry about was my homework.
I turned away from the window and stared at the small room before me, lips flattening into a grimace. How the hell did it come tothis? How did my life take such a twisted turn, leaving me confined in an old castle like a hapless maiden from a storybook?
With another sigh, I lay down on the narrow bed, closing my eyes and gnawing on the inside of my cheeks as my stomach churned. Killian hadn’t returned to visit me yet, but I knew he would as soon as he uncovered last night’s deception.
It seemed like a good idea at the time, because I was so desperate to come after he relentlessly worked my treacherous body, winding me up like a toy, but as soon as the post-climax glow faded, I realized how stupid it was. Killian would be furious at me when he figured out what I’d done, and he might carry out the horrible threat he made toward Cori. I couldn’t stop picturing her in her hospital bed, unconscious and vulnerable, while he stalked toward her, fingertips inching closer and closer to the power button on the life support machine.
My fault.
Night fell, and I remained on the bed, listlessly rubbing at my forearms as goosebumps peppered my skin. Killian had left some clothing in the drawers for me to wear, but none of it was thick enough to keep the cold from seeping into my bones. The only way for me to get properly warm was a hot shower. I wanted to go and take one, but at the same time, I was too depressed and exhausted to get up again.
A key suddenly clicked in the lock on my door, making every hair on the back of my neck stand up.
I got off the bed and dashed over to the farthest corner of the room, heart pounding. I knew the movement wouldn’t actually protect me—I wasn’t safe anywhere in this place—but I couldn’t stop myself. It was my fight-or-flight response kicking in, filling me with the urge to run as far as I could.
Killian flicked the light on and strode inside, eyes flashing. “Shay,” was all he said at first. It was just my name, but the singular syllable held a clear warning that made my gut clench.
I took another step backward, legs trembling.
Killian sat down on the end of the bed and clasped his hands on his lap, steely gaze fixed on me as if he were a king on a throne, assessing a troublesome peasant in his court. The top two buttons of his charcoal-gray shirt were undone, revealing a hint of his broad chest, and his sleeves were partially rolled up, showing off his tanned forearms.
His outfit and posture would probably appear cool and casual to anyone else, but I knew him well enough by now to understand that he was never truly calm or collected. He was an unpredictable tempest; a monster ready to pounce at any second.
He leaned forward, brows lifting. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
His calm yet threatening tone made my gut clench again. I swallowed hard and tilted my chin upward, trying to look brave. “No,” I said, voice barely above a murmur. “I knew you would.”
An ugly smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “I warned you about this. You didn’t listen.”
“I… I’m sorry,” I whispered. It wasn’t true. I just wanted to avoid punishment. Not only for me, but for Cori as well.
Killian sat up even straighter, powerful shoulders going rigid. “Take off your clothes,” he commanded. “Then go to the cross, face it, and lift your arms.”
A flicker of relief kindled in my stomach. Was this my only punishment? A repeat of yesterday? I certainly hoped so. The relentless teasing on the frame was painful, but it was an exquisite ache that left me crying out with ecstasy when it finally ended. It was also a lot better than getting jolted with a stun gun or carved up with a knife.
I dipped my chin in an acquiescent nod, slipped out of my jeans and sweater, and stepped over to the X-frame in the opposite corner of the room. Killian rose and closed the distance between us, hands moving upward to restrain my wrists in the leather cuffs above my head. The scent of his cologne and the feel of his warm breath on the back of my neck made my knees weak. I could already feel my core dripping like a leaky faucet.
I trapped my bottom lip between my teeth and bit down to stop myself from moaning as Killian slowly slid my panties down. When they were on the floor, he ordered me to step out of them.
I did as he said, spine tingling from the thrill of his command.
He stooped behind me and drew in a sharp breath. My cheeks immediately flushed hot with embarrassment. I knew he was staring at the unmistakable dark patch on my underwear.
“Fuck,” he hissed through his teeth, rising to his full height. He lifted the lacy purple fabric to my eye-level. “You’re already so wet.”
“No,” I whispered, cheeks still burning with mortification. “That’s not what it is.”
It was, though. Of course it was. I would never admit it out loud, but the more Killian humiliated me, the more it turned me on. My core was throbbing so much that it ached, and my thighs were sticky with arousal.
“I’m sick of listening to your lies, Shay,” Killian said, breath ghosting over the shell of my ear. “Everything that comes out of your mouth is fucking bullshit. But I know how to shut you up.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he stuffed my wet panties in my mouth, gagging me with them. My eyes widened, and I squirmed in place as frissons of electricity fired in my veins.
What was wrong with me? Why did the thought of being gagged with my own panties turn me on so much?
Killian slid a hand between my legs, rubbing the bundle of nerves there until I jolted and moaned through the fabric in my mouth. Then he dipped a fingertip into the wetness dripping through my folds. “I knew you’d want it again,” he muttered, sliding a finger down to the underside of my ass before pulling his hand away.
