Page 24 of Hopeless Kingdom
Tristan’s calculating attention drifts from Ryder’s hand on mine to Darrio who’s staring down at me with heated attention.
Daxdyn pulls Ryder’s arm and the two of them begin whispering among themselves as they walk toward the wine table. Ryder peeks back at me as he speaks to his friend and a knowing smirk tilts Daxdyn’s lips at whatever was just said.
I can’t help but wonder what they’re whispering about.
Darrio takes a single step closer to me, his body breeding warmth into mine.
I want to lean into him. I want to let this shitty day fade away as Darrio holds me to his chest.
“Are you toying with all three of them?” Tristan’s voice cuts through, interrupting my thoughts, but I continue to stare ahead, ignoring the high King of Juvar. “Even the unfortunate looking one?”
My spine stiffens as he nods to Darrio. The fae clears his throat before looking toward the lines of the white tile floor.
The unfortunate looking one?
The scar slicing down Darrio’s face demands my attention, the slight tilt of his nose, the dark brows that are lowered over shining, serious eyes.
Then I think about how his perfect smile transforms his whole appearance. The strong body he carries with confidence and the loyalty he’s shown me pulls to the front of my thoughts. In a way, I love every one of the twisting scars that line his hard body. They’re an art that displays his resilience. He’s a warrior through and through.
He’s everything King Tristan will never be.
I tip my head up at the king, finally giving him my attention. My long blonde hair sways with the swift movement of my anger.
“Actually, the only thing unfortunate about Darrio is his personality.”
A cough that sounds suspiciously like a laugh shakes through Darrio.
“You’re an asshole,” he whispers under his breath before taking a long drink of wine.
Tristan looks from me to Darrio and then back again.
“All three of them. You truly are a sorceress, Zakara”
I begin to nod even though I desperately want to roll my eyes at him.
“Yes, my vagina is quite the enchantress.” My jaw snaps shut as I stare at the soot staining the wall behind him.
His look turns sour as his blazing gaze narrows on me.
“You’re a crude little piece of fae trash.”
It’s suddenly hard to swallow. A hundred words threaten to vomit from my throat, but I force them back down. This is a dangerous kingdom. My words don’t belong to me here. Tristan owns even my words and I’ll choke them down if I know what’s good for me.
“I’m not feeling well. If you’ll excuse me.” The sweetest of smiles press tightly to my lips.
A single step is all I take.
Thin fingers wrap around my upper arm until pain shoots through me. My jaw clamps tightly closed and I raise my glare to meet the king’s hard gaze.
“You leave when I say you leave, Miss Storm.” The cruel smile he gives me reminds me to keep my own pretend happiness in place across my lips.
Of all the words he just said, the wordMissburns through my mind on repeat. It’s a formality that thieves like me aren’t given. I haven’t been a ‘miss’ anything in over five years. Because of his mother.
My jaw tics as I stare at the glossy tiles.
Darrio’s wide shoulders bump mine as he shifts on his feet. His body interferes with the grip Tristan has on me. The king releases me as the two study one another. Fury burns through Darrio’s smoky eyes like a fire that not even their iron shackle can put out.
“Do. Not. Touch. Her.” His tone is a low sound of rasping rage. “She isn’t one of your belongings.” Darrio’s deep voice vibrates through my own body, sending a shiver over my skin. His spine is ramrod straight and a false smile is held on his lips. It’s more of a daring sneer really. His eyes are that steely gray color he always reserved for me when we first met. The king appraises Darrio’s height, every strong muscled piece of him. Darrio’s like a scarred weapon: dangerous and powerful.
