Page 108 of The King is Dead
He turned to face me quickly. “That stick up his ass is definitely self-inflicted.”
I had to swallow a huff of laughter because I didn’t want to encourage him. Melek’s eyes danced before those dark shadows consumed his gaze again, and he went back to his search, flipping through the cushions on my chairs, even checking behind doors.
“You’re being ridiculous! There are no intruders in here—the guards wouldn’t let anyone past the entry who might be even the slightest risk!”
He opened his mouth to argue with me, but he’d made it over to my bed and something caught his attention. He froze, then snatched something up that crinkled before a long, low growl rumbled in his chest.
I was still halfway across the room when he whirled and waved a piece of parchment towards me. “That fucker, who is no risk, is writing you alove letter.”
My heart sank as I hurried to him, taking the paper that he’d found, covering my mouth when I saw the scrawled words.
Yilan,
I know we were interrupted, but you must know that my declaration was not simple heat of the ritual lust. I know you heard me, and I meant it: I love you.
I also saw the fear in your eyes when you looked up, expecting the intervention of that creature. I don’t know what he’s holding over you, but I am here. I will take care of him—and you.
I will do whatever it takes to remove this monster from your back. Anything.
Say one word and I will have him killed. No one would even need know it was us. And if he has others behind him threatening you, I will walk to war for you.For you, Yilan.
I will burn the fucking world if it keeps you safe.
You know I am a man of my word.
Come find me. We will figure this out. I promise.
All my heart,
Turo.
“Oh God,” I whispered. “I knew it. He thought when I fled I was afraid ofyou.”
Melek growled. “He’s offering to break your declaration for peace. He’s offering to have me executed. That man is not as honorable as you believe him to be,” he muttered.
I dropped my hands to my sides and met Melek’s eyes. “I seem to remember certain declarations you’ve made. Should I disregard those?” I asked. Melek growled, but I pressed on. “I know him. In other circumstances you two would be brothers. Right now, he’s desperate.”
“So was I—so were you,” he said, his tone heated and that blazing fire in his eyes again, making my stomach trill. But when he reached for me, I shook my head and stepped back out of his grip.
“No, Melek. We can’t give in to that—we shouldn’t have! The risk was—”
“That man would have stormed in here andtakenyou, and you’re angry with me for finishing what we startedtogether?”
“He would never have forced me, not if I said no.”
“You seem awfully certain of yourself, even after he’s declared himself and offered to burn the world on your behalf.”
God, I wanted to strangle him for his stubbornness. “You listen to me: That man used to come alone to this chamber every eveningbefore I went on that mission. I never slept with him, and he never evenpushed.”
“He’s pushing now.”
“And I am sayingno.Why are you acting like I’m somehow inviting this, or… or wanting it?!”
“Because you’re always so fucking worried about hurting him.”
“Because he has taken good care of me, and treated me well, and if you hadn’t come along, he’d be my mate and our King. Can’t you see, Melek? He did nothing wrong, yet he’s at the receiving end of a huge blow. He doesn’t deserve this!”
Melek’s face was drawn and serious, his eyes locked on mine. “God apparently disagrees.”
