Page 46 of Kiss the Filthiest King

"Yeah, well, I died and woke up married, for literally ever, to a guy who's not that into it, so yes.” She sighs. “Dithering is all I’ve got."

"Do I not seeminto it?" I press, bringing my thumb to her cheek.

She rolls her eyes. "A guy can want to fuck you without wanting to marry you. I know you didwhatever you didto save my life. And I'm grateful, truly." Darina shrugs. "I'm just…frustratedyou're stuck with this. With me."

It occurs to me then that we're going to have to talk. Properly talk. But first, I need to think on what I'll say.

For now, I settle for, "My only regret is that you had no choice in the matter. I chose you. I'd choose you again."

Those shifting eyes fix on mine.

When it's apparent she has no response, I take my leave. "I should go first. Wait a minute before you return to your chambers. Do you know how to get there from here or should I send Loch?"

"I remember," she replies.

With a nod, I'm out of there. Somehow, I manage not to scream in frustration.

21

A PRISON OF FLESH

Darina

I chose you. I'd choose you again.

I replay those words in my mind over and over, analyzing them to death. I know he didn't lie. He can't. That doesn't mean he means he's glad to have mated me, though. He chose to save my life, and doesn't regret that choice. That's something.

And clearly, we enjoy each other. Maybe we'll make this work based off of that. Maybe more might come in time.

And maybe I'm completely deluded, but crying about it isn't going to fix anything.

As advised, I wait a few minutes, taking the time to compose myself. It galls me that we must hide like naughty teenagers. I've never been one for hiding, even in high school. That said, staying alive beats any other concern and the council made its dislike of our relationship plain.

The council chambers are on the same level as the queen's chambers, but in another wing of the castle. The fastest way to get back to my rooms would be across the main hall, through the heart of the brugh where, from the sound of it, the revel is still going strong. I opt to avoid the obvious route. Loch showed me the private passageway passing behind it all, through the walls. I'm about to push the painting behind which the entry door is hidden when a hand clamps around my mouth, and I'm dragged backward into the closest room.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck,fuck!

I don't have to turn and get a good look at him to know who would do this. Besides, I recognize his stench. He still uses too much perfume.

“Finally," Junis chuckles against my ear as I thrash to escape his hold. "It was no easy feat, getting you alone, YourHighness.”

The last word is said with so much humor.

Dammit. Of course he waited in the shadows for this opportunity. He wasn’t going to approach me when I’m surrounded by friends.

We'd hoped he ran off with his tail between his legs. After stripping him of his title for not showing up by tomorrow, we were going to offer a bounty to see him bring to justice.

I guess I should have remembered cornered animals tend to bite.

"Now let's get this out of the way first: you will not make a sound, you will not call for help in any way, and you will not move unless I tell you to."

After that, he lets go of my arms.

Each of his commands is a blow, weighing me down like a ton of bricks. Our stupid deal is still firmly in place, then. I try to take a step, just to be sure, and indeed, I'm stuck.

Not as much as I would have been last week—what feels like a lifetime ago. I manage to run my palms along my skin, the slightest little move.

"What's your true name?" he demands, after turning to sit on an armchair.

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