Page 54 of Hidden Kingdoms

One book, that was all I wanted.

I gritted my teeth against the onslaught of fury that was entwining with my magik in a relentless circle of rage-fuelled energy that threatened to overwhelm me. I wanted to reject this power that felt like it was digging its claws into my soul.

I couldn’t fight it any longer. My hold broke, magik swirling through me, every nerve igniting as it skimmed along my skin.Groaning at the feelings it elicited, I needed a release.Any release.

Anger turned to something else—a carnal urge that would definitely keep me occupied.

My pebbled nipples pushed at the soft fabric of my jumper, and I moaned as my fingers brushed over them, pulses of energy rippling over my body with every touch. My thighs squeezed together against the aching between them, seeking friction as I reached down my stomach towards my waistband, my fingers dipping below it?—

A loud thud burst my lust-filled bubble, leaving me gasping as the intrusion ensured I lost any grip I had on the magik I had been clutching to, leaving me with nothing but the flush that had crept over my skin.

That sound was beginning to get on my last nerve.

Fuck my life. Why now when I was about to waste time in the best way?

I cringed at the thought of having to face the tall woman. I wasn’t ashamed of finding relief in orgasms, but it would be awkward as fuck and make me look like a psycho if she realised what I’d been up to after slamming the door in her face.

Probably best to ignore it.

Except another knock, louder and more insistent, had me crossing to the door. I wasn’t going to apologise. I wouldn’t slam the door in her face again, but I wasn’t apologising for my anger. Taking a breath, I pulled the door open and stopped short—it wasn’t a tall woman. It was a tall man.

A tall man dressed in a guards uniform. He didn’t quite match Kaius height, but he still towered over me.

Although that wasn’t exactly difficult.

He was plainly good looking. There was nothing special about him, but neither was he ugly. With blue eyes that glinted from under a sweep of dull blond hair, slicked back over hishead. They trailed down me with a hungry look that zeroed in on my still-hardened nipples, nostrils flaring as he inhaled deeply. Suppressing a shudder, I folded my arms tight across my chest. When his lecherous gaze finally landed on my face, his smile was neither warm nor friendly. Warning bells rang through my body, ones I knew better than to ignore as I glanced to the guard still in his spot, facing forward and paying this man no attention.

“You forgot these.” His oily voice rolled over me, as in his hand he held up blue scraps, the dark lace contrasting grossly against his pale fingers.

“Why do you have them?” I was already dressed in the clothes I’d been left this morning, I didn’t need any more.

He thrust them at me, and in my surprise, I scrabbled for them, but he didn’t let go and we were left standing in the doorway both holding on. Though eager to be away from him and not enjoying the fact my underwear was in his hands, I held on tighter.

His widening smile sent revulsion skittering across my skin. I swallowed down my disgust, wanting nothing more than to have the door closed firmly between us.

The creep tugged, and I started forward in alarm before planting my feet, but he let go with a taunting laugh. I hurried to slam the door, but he threw a hand out, halting its progress with a bang. His feet butted against the threshold and, not quite satisfied from earlier, my magik was quick to respond to the anger that sparked to life.

“I can see why they’re hiding you up here.” His leering face was now only inches from mine, hot sour breath blowing across my cheek, and it took everything in me not to turn away.

It took even more restraint not to launch myself forward and crack my skull into his nose. Instead, I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, letting the rush of pain help control my rage at this man invading my space.

“Blue’s my favourite colour.” He smirked.

I reeled back, pushing out a frantic burst of magik that slammed into the door, the wood groaning in protest as in the seconds it took for it to seal shut, I heard his mocking laugh.

That was fucking unpleasant.

I felt strangely safe on this side of the door, reassured that there was no way he could get in.

Throwing the clothes onto the bed, I watched the silky scraps slid to the floor. There was no way I was putting them on. The contents of my lunch churned at thought.

I could add that to the growing list of things I didn’t know. Kicking the offending items under the bed, I pulled down a deep breath as I ran my tongue over the dent in my cheek I had made with my teeth. My eyes bounced around the room scanning for what felt like the hundredth time, willing something—anything—to have changed.

But the painting of fruit was still a painting of fruit, the peony was still in perfect condition, and my face still reflected back to me in the blank TV screen.

Despite the dark canvas I could see how my skin glowed, eyes that, despite the creepy guard, were bright and alive. This place soothed my soul, fed my energy and filled a part of me I didn’t know had been hollow.

Guilt found me then.I should be running home to Nanna, and I wanted to, but part of me was desperate to know more about this kingdom and not just for a way to escape it.

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