Page 3 of Hopeless Kingdom
The tension in my spine halts my movements as my eyes search the dense shadows.
“I was only admiring this beautiful room I’ve been given. Really know how to make a girl feel special,” I say in a sensual voice. I push every ounce of sexual confidence I own into my words.
He isn’t lying. They aren’t handing out weapons to use. So, I’ll have to use the only weapons I possess;
My alluring and delightful charisma, of course.
His laughter hums through the room, pushing over the fine hairs on my arm and shoving a disgusted shiver down my spine.
It’s a laugh filled with mortal power.
The power to make someone fall to their knees and beg for their life.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying your stay here, Miss Storm.” More anxiety pushes into my chest at his simple use of my name. “I’d very much like you to enjoy all the true comforts I could offer you. Consider my home your home.”
Repulsion fumes up my throat at the insinuation that’s lacing his words. He isn’t the first man to offer mecomforts within his home, but he might be the last.
“You should answer the king when spoken to, Kara.”
And there it is.
That voice that I once found to be the sexiest sound I’d ever heard. I hate the way my breath catches. I hate the way my thighs clench at the memory of him between them. I hate the way my heart feels like it’s shattering into my lungs.
Darrio’s here. With … the king. Are they all here? Are they all banding together to have one final laugh at thefucking humanbefore she’s sentenced to her soon-to-come death?
I thought they had a plan. Their destination was the Hopeless realm. Why did they go submissively into the heart of this city, right into the king’s clutches?
Why?
The maddening question burns through me. I move toward where I heard their voices. My knuckles turn white as I clutch the bars, my face pressing between them to look up into the darkness.
“It’d be my pleasure,” I say in a breathy voice. The tone says I’m gentle and vulnerable while my thoughts scream a song of pure hellfire vengeance.
I’ll burn this fucking kingdom to the ground before I ever enjoy thecomfortsthis prick could offer.
***
The white tile floor is stained with an abundance of dark, ashen footprints. The prints cross like a million soldiers have lost their way and stumbled blindly around this corridor. Dust clings to the extravagant silver light fixtures, dimming their shine. It’s as if the smoke from this city is a burden on the lavish details of this enormous castle.
The building itself is familiar to me. This royal palace is held in my memories but I don’t dwell on those memories.
That was a lifetime ago. So long ago I barely remember any of it at all.
My hands hang at my sides and I make sure to keep them tucked close to my body, hiding the telling scars on my left arm the best I can. I keep an intentionally arrogant sway in my step. I’m free … but not. I feel my freedom locked away with every soldier that passes by. I note the sharp look they hold on my figure. I follow the stiff gait of Darrio, and the king of Juvar down the busy hall.
The king, King Tristan, is a needy little thing from the stories I’ve heard about him. I met him once before when he was only a prince. He was quiet and calculating even then. When his father passed away five years ago, he was young. A young ruler is bound to have flaws and Tristan didn’t disappoint in that aspect. His pride and his ego are too large for the delicate golden crown that kisses his tidy dark hair. He made his self-importance abundantly clear when he retitled this city. Yes, he took the historical name that had graced this land for centuries and renamed it Juvar. Why? Because that was his dog’s name and, apparently, he wanted his kingdom to know that even his lap puppy, Juvar, holds more importance than their miserable little lives.
I keep the disgust from touching my features and silently I follow behind the arrogant asshole. The smooth white and gold wallpaper skims against the fingers of my right hand as I run them across the wall. Black soot flakes away, coating my skin. Three semi-white slashes trail behind me as I leave my mark down the halls.
Another soldier passes me, and a look of close scrutiny is all he gives me. A wicked smile curves my lips and I wink at him. His high cheeks flame red and his head tips low as he appraises my body with a heated gaze.
There’s a pulsing knot on my temple from where the deck of the ship met my skull but from the look the man gives me, it must not be too horrendous.
If I could get close enough to one of them, I could steal the sword they keep within their weapons belt at their hip, or maybe the small knife there. Once I’m out of here, I’d have to sneak onto a barge, sail home and figure out how to remove these binding cuffs.
There’s no lock in place on them, only perfectly smooth metal circling my wrists.
How odd.
