Page 44 of Poisoned Kingdom
He tilted his head, watching me in silence, and I would have sold my soul to know what plans were forming in that thick skull of his.
‘I won’t force you, but there is a question I want answered before I decide what to do with you.’
I wanted to refuse, but something in his gaze made me realise he was testing me again. Fabric rustled as I stepped towards him, enjoying the disbelief that flashed across his features, so briefly that I thought I’d imagined it.
‘Closer,’ he said when I stopped just out of arm’s reach. It was more than close enough for me, but I took another step until we were almost touching.
‘I can see the hesitation in your eyes, my brave Viper. So many questions you want to ask, yet here you are,’ he said, a small smile ghosting his lips. ‘Stay still, no matter what I do. I won’t hurt you. You have my word.’
I nodded tentatively at the bizarre request, lowering my head. His scent—as fresh as the steppe in spring, lemongrass and musk mixed with a powerful masculine aroma that made myheart beat faster—overwhelmed me . . . I dreaded him seeing the blush that coloured my cheeks.
Reynard seemed just as affected by my proximity. A bead of perspiration trailed down his collarbone, another drop of sweat forming above the throbbing pulse in his neck.
‘Good, now turn around and put your hands on the windowsill,’ he said in a husky tone.
It was too much for me. The heat glowing on my face crawled over my chest.
‘Sire, whatever the question is, I don’t want to fight you again. But I will if you try forcing me . . .’ I said, pulling away, but he caught my hand and guided it to the stone windowsill.
‘I told you I wouldn’t hurt you, Viper, but I’m angry and I can’t even explain why. If you ever let a man enter your room without my knowledge again, I’ll show you exactly the kind of brute I can be,’ he whispered, the threat in his voice mixed with a lower, more guttural sound. I pulled away, eyes wide in shock.
He exhaled slowly, releasing his hold and letting me escape. ‘Show me you trust me, Roksana. Let me find my answers.’
He waited for my decision, but I didn’t know what to do, especially with him standing so close, observing my reactions.
Ignoring my instincts, I placed my shaking hands back on the windowsill, holding onto it so hard that my knuckles turned white. My mind protested but my body’s response confused me. I was trembling, pulse thrumming in my throat as my nipples peaked, much too visible under my chemise for my comfort, but the tension wasn’t unpleasant. If anything, I was curious about what he wanted and why asking me questions required him to stand so close that the heat of his body enveloped me like a blanket.
In the end, it wasn’t Reynard’s request that frightened me, but the pleasure I felt at seeing the hunger in his gaze . . . the pleasure I mustn’t explore.
The tension built until I came close to whimpering. Then he tilted my head to the side, the gesture so primal my internal voice screamed at me to escape this predator before he ripped open my throat.
I stared at his reflection in the dark window, waiting. Determination crept into his gaze before he took my hair, twisting it away from my neck. His fingertips grazed over my skin, as gently as the stroke of a feather, but it was enough for heat to awaken in my core. Time slowed, and my breath misted the window as I watched, fascinated by our reflection. His head dipped. His nose touched the side of my neck, and I inhaled sharply, letting him pull me closer until our bodies touched.
‘Do you like that, little Viper?’ His husky voice vibrated against my skin, his thick beard teasing me.
I wanted to say no, but that would’ve been a lie. Instead, my pleading gaze traced his movements as the king’s muscles flexed, his body tense behind me. His free hand grabbed the windowsill next to mine, thumb caressing my knuckles, while he breathed in again. A long, pained groan reverberated in his throat while the glass reflected the golden glow that flashed dangerously in his eye.
‘Your Majesty, what’s . . .’ I asked breathlessly, desperate to put some barrier between us, even if they were just words. My body softened in his hands, surrendering the moment his hand tightened in my hair. A low rumbling sound escaped him while I fought to stay still, to resist the dangerous allure of his pure, absolute control. I could see his need, his desire, yet his touch remained gentle. When our eyes met in the window, goosebumps prickled over my skin.
‘Call me Rey,’ he whispered in my ear, his breath caressing my sensitive skin. I felt like prey staring into the golden gaze of a wolf, unable to avert my eyes, hypnotised by the danger. ‘Call meRey, Sanika,’ he commanded, his fingers shifting to encircle my throat.
I shivered at the raw emotion in the endearment. Sanika was the name for the first blush of dawn while night still reigned in the sky. A hope that darkness would pass and Zorya, the heavenly maiden, would open the sky and allow the sun to rise.
My mind raced as I prayed he wouldn’t notice how much he was affecting me.
‘Rey, please . . .’ I muttered.
He released the windowsill and wrapped his arm around me, crushing me to his chest.
‘I like my name on your lips, and I fucking hate myself for it,’ he said. A tremor ran through his body as if he were battling a monster for control.
Despite being trapped against Reynard’s chest, my instincts told me he would never succumb, that I was safe in his embrace. For the longest time, we stood like statues until he eventually closed his eyes.
A knock on the door startled us both.
‘Fuck,’ he grumbled, finally pulling away while I called for the visitor to enter, happy to not be alone. A servant walked in with a tray, her face draining of colour when she noticed Reynard by the window.
‘I’m so sorry, sire. The guard told me the lady was awake, but he didn’t mention a visitor. She hasn’t eaten since morning, so I thought . . .’ she stuttered.
