Page 59 of #Resort Love
“What do we do now?” Orin asked cautiously, his face drained of color.
I tapped my fingers on the table, considering our options. “We need to find out the terms of her bargain. I’ll send a note to Samian. We need to meet with her to get more details before we make our next move. Viv.” I paused, my heart twisting at mynext question. Viv was close with Arbus and Bryony, after taking Bryony on as her pupil. She was smart enough to know that my finding Sybil with Arbus’s necklace meant there was a connection between them—that Sybil was involved in his death, whether I said it aloud or not. “She can’t control her magic. She needs someone to help her.”
Viv stood and walked to the door. Hesitating in the doorway, she sighed. “I’ll think about it,” was all Viv said sharply, leaving Orin and me behind.
Chapter 32
Ambrose
Ileaned against the damp wall, watching Arianna direct the guards on how to dispose of that rat, Arbus. I kept my face blank, but I was on edge. He had infiltrated my guards so well, blending in so seamlessly that he almost got away with it. If it weren’t for his inability to shield his emotions when I passed the group of guards standing at the palace entrance three days ago, he would have gone unnoticed. Fear and paranoia came off him so strongly that I nearly choked. His face had paled as soon as our eyes met, but no matter how much I pushed on those fears, magnifying them until it was all he felt, that pest never broke. Though he may not have confessed, we both knew he was a part of that infestation.
Arianna stalked back to me after finishing giving out her directions, her face glowing with pride at how the day turned out. As promised, Sybil was mine and now I could begin my plans to become the official king of the upper realm. My blood warmed at the thought. I had been imagining this moment—imagining Cassia’s reign finally coming to an end. It was justthe start, though. I wouldn’t stop until that vile Seelie Court fell with her.
Is she really yours, though?
That whispering voice, sounding both old and young, beautiful and terrible, had me silently snarling. The bargain had worked; the bands wrapped around Sybil’s wrists were proof of that. But that sliver of unmarred skin made me wonder if she was wholly mine. Seeing her fight against my commands—that was something that shouldn’t have happened.
That’s because she’s not truly yourstocommand.
A cold, delicate hand ran softly down my face, snapping me out of my thoughts. I snarled, my hand abruptly snatched the wrist and pulling it away. Arianna’s eyes widened in shock, gasping at the sudden, hard movement. Realizing my mistake, I softened my face, pulling her against me, giving her a devious, wicked little smile. I still had my part to play to ensure she would continue helping me.
“Shall we make our way back to my office, my queen?” I purred.
Arianna’s smile matched mine as she leaned into me, pressing her soft lips against mine. Nipping my bottom lip, she laughed softly. “I thought you’d never ask,” she murmured, her eyes glazing with need.
I took a step, her hands tightening on my chest, shifting through the shadows until the world snapped into place and we stood behind my desk. Our lips crashed together, and Arianna moaned into my mouth. My hands glided up her body and I pushed her into the marbled wall behind her, swallowing her throaty laugh. My hands moved slowly down to her hips, all the way behind her thighs. Hoisting her up, I let her legs wrap tightly around my waist. Her uniform was still covered in dirtfrom Lowbrook, but I ignored her grimy appearance, grinding my swollen length against her center.
“What will happen next, my king?” Arianna breathed as I kissed my way down her neck.
“Next,” I growled, biting the soft part of her neck. She let out a little noise while I licked the pain away. “I am going to fuck you as a reward for being a good girl.”
Arianna’s lips curled into a smile of pure sin, humming her approval. The icy fire of her hooded eyes pierced into mine, and our lips met in a bruising kiss. Groaning, I deepened that kiss, my tongue stroking hers as I walked us to the couch. Falling into the leather seat, Arianna straddled me, gasping at my hard cock pressing against her.
“Well,” I taunted, raising an eyebrow.
Breathless, Arianna leaned back, flushing while she took her sweet time undoing each button of her jacket until it fell to the floor. The silky camisole underneath left nothing to the imagination. The dark pink of her nipples showed through the dainty fabric.
Arianna arched while I leaned forward, her head falling back when I nipped the peaked bud, sucking it into my mouth. Arianna made a small, throaty noise, but before I could move to her other breast, she pushed me away. I growled, narrowing my eyes at her, but she bit her bottom lip, hooking her finger around the strap of her camisole, sliding it down her shoulder.
I chuckled softly, following her direction, letting my finger drift across her chest until I reached the other strap, pulling it down her arm. The silky chemise fell to her waist, leaving her bare. I throbbed against her, caressing the sides of her breasts while she watched. Her lust swirled around me, and I breathed it in, letting it pull me closer to her.
A knock at my door halted me. “What?” I growled, irritationat the interruption souring my mood. Arianna rolled her eyes, lacing her hands around my neck, waiting.
“We received an urgent message,” a guard squeaked.
Arianna huffed and pulled her camisole back into place. She moved off my lap, slipping back into her jacket. After straightening herself, she walked to the door, swinging it open for the guard. Sweat dripped down his blanched face, his breathing heavy. Whether it was from nerves or exertion, I couldn’t tell.
I stood, my lips curling with disapproval, and walked to the bar, pouring myself a glass of whiskey. The guard rushed in, bowing low while I took a sip, hoping the burn would quell my frustration.
“Well, go ahead,” I snapped. “Tell me the message—quickly.”
“Ms. Hart was seen running from the palace. She’s no longer in Volmire. We have our soldiers looking for her, but we haven’t found her yet.”
My knuckles turned white around my glass, and the guard went rigid. Taking a deep breath, I calmly set the glass down. I looked at him, angling my head. I could hear the audible swallow and feel the tangible terror wafting off him.
“W-we believe she might have gone into the dark forest,” he stammered.
“Continue your search for her,” I said calmly. “Tell me the moment she returns to the palace.”
