Page 6 of Hopeless Kingdom
Thin fingers push back a lock of my blonde hair, and it’s then that I realize lust is very much alive within this man. It might be a mangled, dominant, abused form of sexual frustration, but it is in fact a living, breathing, disgusting thing within him.
“I want you to join me for dinner tonight.” His fingers trail down my jaw and a crawling shiver scurries down my spine. “I have something I want to show you.” My teeth smash together as I let him stroke my skin.
Despite my nerves, my stomach growls at the mention of dinner. My gaze trails back to the hazy window. Clouded hues of deep orange threaten to shine through. How long was I out for? It’s nearly sunset now. Was it only a few hours or a few days?
Darrio shifts forward, his shoulder bumping in to Tristan’s. The king’s hand falls back to his side and I release a tense breath.
“Darrio, I’d like you to keep an eye on our little … guest. You’re turning out to be a man of loyalty.” He turns from me, giving Darrio’s impressive size a once over. “Prove your loyalty to me.” He clasps his hand on the fae’s bulky shoulder as he stares up at him.
I peek at Darrio, wondering if he’s scowling as always.
A genuine smile is all he possesses. Darrio’s teeth are white and straight and flash with humor that I’ve never seen before. It makes him handsome. His smile dissolves the scars lining his face, and the dark beard shadowing his jaw only smooths his rough edges into something of pure carnal sexuality.
I’d be attracted to him even more if I wasn’t still nauseated by his betrayal and from King Tristan’s closeness.
“I’d be honored, my King.” The obedience in Darrio’s deep voice washes away every speck of attraction I previously held for him.
Fucking traitorous fae.
I keep my eyes on the floor as King Tristan’s hungry attention drifts over me. I feel it clawing into me, turning my stomach with the feel of his gaze.
Off the top of my head, I can think of a hundred different times I’ve used my appearance to my benefit. But, I also know when I’m toying with a stupid boy and when I’m tiptoeing around a very, very dangerous man. King Tristan is the latter of the two.
He’s filled with more danger than he is desire.
But so am I.
Chapter Three
Help
Once again, I mark the halls of this castle with two fingers this time. I trail a path from what appeared to be the dining hall to the room that Darrio’s leading me to.
“Making a path?” Darrio asks, his pace slowing to fall in place at my side.
I continue to let the soot stain my hand as I brush the dirty wall with my fingertips. His gaze burns across my skin, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of my attention or a response.
“You don’t have to leave a trail. We won’t be sticking around, Kara.”
This information has me perking up and I chance a glance at him.
His silver gaze holds mine and his lips part like he might say more, but he doesn’t. He isn’t Daxdyn; he won’t spill his guts to me without being prompted.
“If you are a trusted and loyal servant now,” I pause letting a smirk kiss my lips as I taunt him, “why are you wearing the cuffs?”
We stop outside a door that might be mahogany, but it’s covered in so much charcoal colored dust that it’s hard to tell.
“They’re iron. Iron stunts fae magic. It’s harboring my powers. The king wants us to return to our places. He wants fae at his disposal as they once were all those decades ago. It’s best if we let him believe that’s what’s happening.”
He takes one hand and rubs it over the smooth iron clasping his other wrist.
“Guess a fire fae can only be trusted so much,” I muse as my fingers drop from the wall.
This is my room. I can tell by the way he keeps glancing toward it. A long torturous sounding breath leaves his lips as if there are words pressing against his chest, pushing to get out.
“I guess I’ll see you tonight when you pick me up to deliver me to your king.” The intentional twist of my words fuels my anger. “Will you carry me right to his bed?” His jaw tics, struggling to remain closed, so I push a little harder. “Will he make you undress me for him?”
“Kara, stop,” he grinds out through clenched teeth.
