Page 32 of Poisoned Kingdom
‘Stop.’
His order caught me mid-movement, and I raised my eyes, meeting his gaze.
‘What? Suddenly afraid to see some tits?’ I sneered, raising my chin high and reaching for the lace of my final covering. I was done begging, determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing me beaten down and afraid.
‘Why would I spoil a moment I could enjoy later?’ He grabbed my hand, preventing me from disrobing, unfazed as I stared athim in challenge. ‘You can’t hide a weapon under this scrap of fabric,’ he said, calling for the guard.’ You there, check her boots, then take her to the cells.’
The guard slid his hands along my calves, pushing his fingers inside my boots while I held the king’s gaze. His jaw bunched, tightening rhythmically before he snarled, ‘That’s enough. Take her.’
I was grabbed and led out of the room. Before the door closed, I turned around to look at the man whose intense gaze seemed to burn a hole in my soul. The corner of his mouth tilted up and he placed a hand on his chest as he delivered a mocking bow.
‘Sleep well, little Viper, and get used to your new home. I feel we’ll be spending a lot of time together . . .’
He grated on me so much in that moment that before I could stop myself, I shouted back, ‘Eat shit and die, bastard!’
Only to hear my curse answered with a burst of laughter.
Chapter 13
Reynard
Iwatched the woman as she was escorted away. Once the door finally closed, I dropped heavily onto the nearest seat and hid my face in my hands.
‘What the fuck just happened?’ I muttered, attempting to control my breathing to avoid triggering the spasms.
My mind was spinning.
Nothing made sense, but even with everything that had just happened, it was her eyes that haunted me. My tongue darted out and probed my swollen lip again, the damaged skin pulsing dully. A stark reminder that my dream had almost turned me into the beast she had accused me of being, that my body had betrayed me at the worst possible moment.
I shifted, adjusting myself, and pressed on the seam of my trousers. Uneasiness built in my chest. I was a ruthless man, but not a violent one, and not one easily aroused by a pretty face.
Even in that blasted forest, there was no wrongness in my touch, and my only concern was her safety. I was fascinated by her, yes. Her delicate features and unbending spirit as she fought off her attackers were captivating, but more than anything, I wanted to protect her. I hadn’t reacted well after seeing her tattoo, but I’d . . .
No.I am not the villain in this story, and I won’t let you paint me as one, Viper.
I grabbed a quill and paper and wrote a quick note to the northern garrison requesting that the commander send a man to Wiosna to confirm her story.
This mess could not be allowed to continue. I needed to get to the bottom of this, whatever the cost. Her accusation burned a hole in my mind, but more than clearing my name, I needed proof she could be trusted before I disclosed that her poison still burned in my veins.
I should have called Riordan and ended the issue here and now, but after we’d interrogated Boyan, I realised that even a psychic mage could be deceived. Iknewthe grand master had lied about the hairpin . . . I just didn’t know how he did it.
I would still use my truthseeker, but this time I wouldn’t trust my life entirely to magic, not where Roksana was concerned.
I had to give it to her. She’d stood her ground. Warriors much stronger than her had cowered in fear when facing my anger, yet the woman had looked me in the eye as I held her dainty neck and had demanded to be let go.
My hand flexed. I could still feel her pulse fluttering under my fingertips, as fragile as a sparrow’s, even when she had confronted me as if I weren’t the king but some village idiot refusing to see reason.
Maybe I was an idiot, as I hadn’t learnt my lesson. The fascination that had awakened when I first saw her was still there, brought back by her touch and dubious story, fighting with my need for justice.
‘Gods, what the fuck is wrong with me?’ I groaned, annoyed that I found her courage so appealing. Loneliness might be messing with my head, but this was seriously out of control.
I wasn’t a chaste man, but whom I chose to bed, and when, had always been rational. The ladies of the court, with their fake smiles and low curtsies, were well aware of it. They were intent on using me for money or power, so I let them mount me like a fucking stallion without remorse in exchange for whatever benefit they wanted.
My would-be assassin had at least earned my respect for not begging or trying to seduce her way out of the situation. Gaining access to the king’s chambers was no simple job—
Wait, how did she get in here?I thought, walking back towards my nightstand.
The room was still dark. The single fae lantern illuminated very little, so I spoke the command to activate the main lights, and my chambers were flooded with radiance. I consciously looked around, checking for anything amiss.
