Page 13 of The King's Man
“Oh really?”
“Really.”
His expression went hard. “I am not a monster, Diadre. If you want to be freed, don’t be coy. And don’t fight.Ask me.”
I frowned, still struggling because he had my head pulled so far back it was difficult to balance my weight effectively. Which was precisely why he’d done it.
He didn’t speak again, but his eyes challenged me. There had to be some trick I was missing. Some magik if I submitted or… But I couldn’t see it.
“Let me go,” I spat through my teeth. And when he arched one brow, I rolled my eyes. “Please.”
Then he did. He let me go and stepped back, watching me, but no longer reaching for me.
I gasped with relief and scrambled back and away from him, panting, still holding the blade.
Our eyes locked and I swallowed hard, trying not to let him see my fear.
“Don’t mistake my ability to lie to an enemy for a threat toyoursafety, Diadre,” he muttered. “I have claimed you, and yes, when my brothers hear me roar, they’ll assume I’m raping you. Butweknow the truth. You and I.Weknow I’ve never so much as touchedyou. I’ve just proven to you that I could whenever I choose. But I choosenotto. If you need evidence of my honor, that’s it.”
I swallowed hard, frowning.
He didn’t even pause. “When we go back to my people, youmuststay close to me. Very close. Always within arm’s reach. But always wary. Be prickly. Be afraid. Beenraged.But make certain it’s for their measure, not mine. By claiming you I’ve imparted value to you. It tells them I’ve measured you strong enoughto carry a Neph babe—and that makes you a very desirable commodity in their eyes.”
I sneered, “You’re all disgusting.”
“No,theyare!” he hissed, stepping closer to me again, his teeth bared. “I share your revulsion for that practice, but that doesn’t change the fact that it exists. These men worked with Melek, they know he won’t overlook it. But trust me,theydon’t share my restraint or… preference about when and how to take a woman. It’s only their belief that I’ve claimed you that will keep them from dragging you away as easily as I just did. But if youfleeme, or harm me, they’ll see it as my weakness and theywillcome for you. And not just to make you howl and humble you. They don’t give afuckabout your wellbeing. They just want a fuck. The only lesson they’ll teach you is to how to take it like agood girl…Do you understand?”
My lips twisted on the sour words, but I nodded. “I understand.”
“Good. Then bite and hiss all you want, but donotlook me in the eye and tell meI’mthe monster here. You’re a soldier. This is strategy. Toe the fucking line.”
He grabbed the back of my jacket and pushed me back towards the horses, but before I could straighten my clothing to prove that I wasn’t afraid, he muttered a curse, then pulled me back around to face him. His face was tight, his eyes narrowed as he glared down at me. Fear thrilled through me and I scrambled for some way to reassert control, to stop him feeling fuckingsmugbecause he’d won. But he beat me to it.
“I meant what I said—I abhor that practice, and have not engaged in it. Ever. And for what it’s worth, I despise this,” he said, tipping his head towards his grip on me. “But I would rather offend your sense of propriety, than see you taken against your will. So, please… Don’t force me to prove the need for caution to you again.”
Then he let go like touching me burned, and stalked back to the horses, leaving me to tug my clothing straight and, once I had stopped trembling, follow him, cursing at every step.
5.A Cursed Man
~ JANN ~
She didn’t speak for an hour.
I kept catching myself grinding my teeth and forced myself to relax, only for my thoughts to trip back to the fear in her eyes when she couldn’t get free of me and I’d find my jaw aching with that tension again.
She sat her horse stiffly, her chin high. But there was something fragile in her that hadn’t been there when we left. I prayed it was the awareness that she was not safe in the Neph camp without me or Melek at her side. Prayed she truly understood.
I took no joy in frightening a woman. I wanted females smiling and rolling their hips as they walked, throwing coy looks at me over their shoulders when they left a room. Not this hissing, spittingrageand distrust that Ihad not fucking earned.
But still… she was still bristling. And Ihadhumbled her. Itwould be better if she knew I understood the feeling.
“You are a better fighter than most men I’ve met outside of the Neph,” I said slowly.
She frowned, then turned to look at me over her shoulder, her eyes narrowed like she was looking for the trick.
I shrugged. “When I said you weren’t safe, that you needed my protection, I want to be clear: It’s only in the face ofmypeople. Among your own, I’m certain you’re a force. And Iamgrateful for your assistance during the battle.”
She stared at me for a long second, then turned, shaking her head and muttering again.
