Page 29 of Poisoned Kingdom
And I was his prey.
‘Answer me!’ he snarled. ‘Did you come here to finish the job?’
I bolted, instinct taking over, but he lunged after me, his movements a blur. I didn’t stand a chance—not even Irsha was as fast as him. He wedged his knee between my thighs while he locked his hand around my throat as I struggled in his grasp. He leant down to whisper in my ear, the rough scar on his cheek rubbing across my skin.
‘Do you know how many nights you’ve haunted my dreams? To have you in my grasp, helpless, knowing all it would take is a one firm squeeze and I would end this torment . . .’ He trailed his nose over my skin as his hand flexed on my neck. ‘And yet it doesn’t feel like enough. Your death is not enough for the pain you’ve caused me.’
He pushed his leg forward, forcing my legs further apart while he observed my efforts to free myself with that satisfied smirk.
‘I searched my entire kingdom for you, and here you are, uninvited. Do you think you have any hope of escape?’ The look in his eye made me shiver. ‘If you want to live, then you’ll answer my questions,’ he said, tilting my chin high. ‘Every. Single. One of them.’
Like I believe his offer when all I see is death lurking in his gaze.
I cursed the fear threatening to overwhelm me.
He shifted, his muscled thigh rubbing between my legs, causing an unexpected jolt of pleasure, adding embarrassment to the mix.A whimper escaped me.
Gods, why the fuck am I even aroused by this?
‘Stop it,’ he growled, his hand tightening on my throat.
‘Stop what?’ I wanted to ask but couldn’t.
The pressure of his grasp increased, and I clawed at his fingers, desperate to breathe. I got in one lucky kick and his hand relaxed. With a pained gulp, I dragged in enough air to speak.
‘Please . . .’ I wheezed, reaching for his face. He caught my hand, but the glow in his eye dimmed a little, and I could breathe again.
‘Already begging for mercy? Yet what mercy did you show me? Look atmy face.’
The pain in his voice was so visceral that my gaze drifted to the injury I had caused.
He laughed humourlessly. ‘Are you pleased with your handiwork, Viper? Tell me—give me a reason I shouldn’t kill you right now.’
Pushing words through my tight throat was painful, but I didn’t have a choice. ‘I’m not . . . your enemy,’ I said.
‘Really? Then I’d hate to see what you do to your friends.’ He huffed in disdain, his hand again tightening on my neck, but he seemed to be more in control of himself. The vicious snarl abated, replaced by steel in his voice when he asked, ‘Do you fear death, little Viper? Because I still remember how it felt, teetering on the edge of madness, praying for the strength to endure as I carved out my eye.’
He . . . did that to himself?
That explained why he was still alive, but I’d never known a man capable of such an act.
‘I know . . . who wants . . . you dead . . .’ I managed to force out, my throat throbbing within his grasp. The king’s frown grew deeper as he studied me with suspicion.
‘Fine. Talk. Tell me, then, assassin, who wants me dead? No. First, tell me your name.’
He released my throat then, only to catch my wrists. My relief was short-lived as he pulled both arms above my head. One large hand easily held them down, while his other forced my head up. He was so close that I could smell the blood drying on his lips.
‘I want the truth, Viper. If you lie . . . your death won’t be swift or merciful, and I’ll personally enjoy your suffering.’
But are you ready for the truth?I thought.I’m dead, anyway, if you can’t accept it.The uncertainty of my fate, my reaction to his touch, and most of all, his arrogance, awakened a spark of defiance within me.
‘I’m Roksana Regnav,’ I croaked. ‘Let me go, and we can talk.’
The giant stretched my arms up farther, making me whimper again, and his low, foreboding laugh sent a shiver down my spine.
‘How about . . . no?’ he said, his eye narrowing as he watched me struggle, the muscles beneath his skin twitching. ‘Don’t think for a second you can make demands. Now,tell me. Who sent you to kill me in the forest?’
I hated how my body trembled in his grasp, betraying my weakness, but because of that, I felt the anger at his constant accusations get the better of me.
