Page 76 of Kiss the Filthiest King
I can’t think, or breathe, or make sense of the shivers running along my skin.
His words feel like a vow, a promise. He’s not professing love, or anything that mondane. Just…fate.
“But all that said, I’m not fond of the idea either.”
The admission surprises me somewhat.
“You’re not?”
He shrugs. “I don’t fancy Valdred. Too young, willful, and self-righteous. If I’m supposed to share you, I would have preferred someone more to my taste.”
“Share?” I blink. “You mean you’d…do that with me?”
“Oh, my little mate. Did you truly believe I’d let him in your bed without me?”
Somehow, my former distaste evaporates. He’s going to be there. With me, with us. And…that’s rather hot, when I think about it. Both of them, all at once. Valdred was quite forceful last week, and Ryther makes a point of being in control at all times.
I’m going to get ripped to pieces.
I can’t wait.
I’m practically salivating.
God, what’s wrong with me?
“Like that, do you?”
“I don’t think I would have enjoyed it…not without you,” I confess, feeling oddly vulnerable.
“But you would have done it either way.” That’s not a question, and I decide it doesn’t need an answer. “We’ll make a queen out of you yet. To tell you the truth, at the moment, Valdred’s involvement might be advisable. Given our subconscious disagreements.”
Fair point. I can still remember the horror, terror, and helplessness of waking up fighting for my life, trying to take his, all without understanding why or being able to stop myself. If it wasn’t for Loch, one of us might have successfully murdered the other by now.
In light of all this, having Valdred’s supervision isn’t the worst of ideas. And his involvement…might just be interesting.
Loch comes back from his mission successful, accompanied with the new court of bone’s lord and master. I offer him my hand, and he brings it to his mouth, lifting his eyes to mine. “I will admit, I didn’t think I’d get another opportunity to charm our queen.”
“No charming necessary,” Ryther retorts.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’d like to be charmed,” I tease. “It’s not like anyone else flirts with me.”
I wink, playing the part of a tease for the benefit of all the onlookers not so discreetly staring at us.
“That’s tragic. If you were mine, I would shower you with roses, kiss every inch of your skin, and sing your praises night and day, so you never forget that you’re cherished.”
Considering the events surrounding the last time he touched me, when I was forced by Junis’s words, it’s downright ridiculous, but this is a performance. I play my part. “I’ll have to see if I can swap mates.”
Ryther lets go of my arm, and I glance up at him. His expression is completely blank, empty, but for one moment, there’s something dark and dangerous flashing in his eyes.
I’m pushing the wrong buttons. And something inside me wants to keep pushing. That’s probably wrong. But what else is new? He called me a brat in his bath, days—what feels like at least two lifetimes—ago. He’s right. I am, with him. And a tease. I like the reactions it gets me.
To my surprise, Valdred doesn’t seem to want to play along on that score. He shoots Ryther an apologetic glance.
“That wasn’t…kind,” my brother tells me.
And ifLochthinks it necessary to call me out on it, I truly must have said something egregious. I play it off with a shrug. “A girl has to know her options.”
“Right. Well, on that note, I believe you three can make your excuses. Valdred, please brag about whatever you’re doing, loudly, often, in great detail, and nowhere near my hearing range, understood?”
