Page 13 of The Dragon King's Curse
One of the guards approached the iron door. He pointed at me. “On your feet, Drakoth. The king wishes to see you. Try anything and we’ll remove your head. It will be a gift for those who remain in your realm.”
With a roll of my eyes, I pushed to my feet. Their threats meant little to me. I had no intention of making a move until I knew what Atlas wanted from me. In fact, I was eager to meet with him. Anything to escape this putrid little room.
As I approached the iron door, I noted that the princess’s eyes followed me. Feryn. That’s what her friend had called her. Feryn Raegel. The sole heir to the elven throne. The woman who would break my curse.
Upon leaving the prison, I was immediately surrounded by six more guards. They each held weapons ready. A few of them also prickled with magick. I ignored them, marching along toward the castle. It took a lot more than a few fae guards to intimidate me. I’d faced much worse.
As we entered the castle through a side entryway, one guard stuck out his foot, purposely tripping me. I caught myself as I fell. Anger lashed through me. It would be too easy to dig this useless fucker’s heart from his chest and stuff it into his mouth. Somehow, I managed to restrain myself.
The guard who tripped me snickered. “Not such a high and mighty king now, are you? I’d say it’s past time for your people to choose a new leader. We’re doing them a favor.”
Because he wasn’t worth a moment of my time, I said nothing. The rest of them ushered me along. I expected to be taken to the King’s throne room. However, they led me through several long corridors and into a massive dining hall instead.
Atlas sat at the head of a long table laden with food. Aside from the guards standing behind his chair, he was alone. Glancing up at my arrival, a strange smile played about his lips.
“King Noxx. It’s a pleasure to see you again. How long has it been now?” He motioned for me to take a seat perpendicular to his.
“Not long enough,” I answered, having no interest in playing his games. We weren’t here for a friendly visit.
Atlas adjusted the heavy robe he wore, straightening his sleeves. He gestured to the food laid out on the table before us. “Please. Help yourself. I’m sure you’re hungry after your long journey.”
“Oh yeah, it definitely has nothing to do with being stuffed in your prison and being fed scraps.” I couldn’t deny that the food both looked and smelled delicious. After everything I’d recently been through, I was starved.
Still, I hesitated. The last person to serve me a meal had poisoned me and brought me here.
Seeing my hesitation, Atlas said, “I assure you there is nothing wrong with the food. I simply thought we would share a meal together. Have a little conversation.”
He nodded to a woman that I hadn’t noticed standing against the wall. She blended in with the environment. She stepped forward and began to pile a dish with food, setting it in front of him. Then she piled a second dish with food and placed it before me. Without a word, she returned to her place against the wall.
A large game bird occupied the plate, along with potatoes and vegetables. A chunk of fresh bread as well. My stomach rumbled. A jug of wine had been placed next to my plate along with a crystal glass.
Since this bastard most likely intended to send me right back to the prison after our so-called discussion, I’d better eat my fill while I could. Without so much as a glance at Atlas, I began to dig in to the food.
Atlas began to eat as well. I noticed that he kept sliding sly glances my way. Working up to whatever it was he wanted to say. It had been years since he and I had occupied the same room.
Back then we’d discussed working together to overthrow the Vampire Lord, Thorn Lockhart. He’d been encroaching on our lands, taking our people for their magickal blood. Before we’d even made it to the Blood Realm, Atlas and his men had betrayed me. While my army and I were away, he sent a large group to my realm to attack my castle and city.
Because I wasn’t an idiot, I’d left an army in place to protect the castle in my absence. Atlas’s people had fallen in great number. A lesson for the Fae King. Fucking me over was never a wise choice.
“I apologize for bringing you here in this manner. I would have sent a messenger to your realm, though I anticipated a poor response, if any at all.” Atlas stuffed a large chunk of meat in his mouth, chewing noisily.
“I really have nothing to say to you. You’re a traitorous asshole. Did you think I would forget about what you did to meand my people?” I drank back a large glass of wine. He may have been a royal piece of shit but the man had great taste in wine. I had to give him that.
“No, of course, not. I was hoping we could move forward. That we might work together. I understand that you have no reason to trust me. I only wish that you would hear me out.” Atlas paused a moment before adding, “You look like you could use a bath. Maybe some time with a woman. Anything you need, I am happy to provide.”
I snorted a laugh. “Sure. What’s the catch?”
Atlas waved the woman near the wall forward. She shocked me by dropping to her knees next to my chair and reaching for my belt. As much as I loved a good blowjob, I sure as hell didn’t want one from Atlas’s human slave.
I pushed her away, trying to be polite about it. “Thanks, but I’m good.”
Her expression never changed as she returned to her place near the wall. Working for a man like Atlas had to be absolute hell. I felt a little bad for her. My people knew me to be a grumpy jackass most of the time, but I certainly never farmed them out to guests.
“As you know, the Earth Realm is a land of pure magick. Untainted. I would very much like to claim it for myself. However, the elves are a powerful people. It would be much easier to overthrow them if we were to work together. We could claim their land and share it. Dividing it between the two of us. I know how much you despise the elven. This would be your chance to hit back at them after all these years.” Not once did Atlas stop chewing as he spoke. He seemed to be trying to make this a casual conversation, though it was anything but.
I most certainly did hate the elves. They’d taken so much from me. Would I love an opportunity to hurt them again? Undoubtedly. That didn’t mean I was foolish enough to alignmyself with Atlas Rein. He was a known traitor. A disloyal leader.
My initial instinct was to immediately tell him to fuck all the way off. I bit my tongue, holding back the tirade that threatened to spill forth. If I refused to work with him, he just might kill me right here and now.
