Page 24 of The Iron Fae
“Seriously?” I stare down at him.
“Oh, it’s about to get really touchy feely and all sorts of creepy up in here.” Violet leans forward.
“In front of your parents even?” My throat is itchy and dry. There’s always a choice though, and I could choose not to. The consequences of that could be worse than what I’m prepared for.
It’s only for a little bit, Briar. Kai is going to help you release your powers and after that you won’t have to play this part anymore.
“Especially in front of our parents,” Rowan answers.
“Fuck,” I huff, lowering myself to perch on Kai’s leg.
“I’m going to, uh, have to touch you.” He crinkles his nose.
“Like, sexually?” The squeak in my voice is unattractive and makes it clear how utterly painful this plan of theirs really is.
“Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking. Just like… touch you.” His hands skim up my thighs. A long trail of goosebumps follows the caress.
I swallow, hard. My body responds with an unrequested urge, a wetness slick between my legs.
“Is that—” He starts to ask as we hear the approach of the King and Queen down the hall. Kai tilts his head up trying to talk over my shoulder. In a hushed voice he talks only to me. “It’s going to be okay.”
I’d heard those words too many times to count. This time I’m demanding more of myself.Play the part. Play the part, Briar.Be the fucking human that’s come because you’re infatuated with Kai. With magic. With the Fae.
I give him the slightest bob of my head, the smallest form of acknowledgment, before I lean into him. Kai’s breathing hitches.
“I’m just saying, is all...” The king says as they round the corner.
“And I’ll take that into consideration but there just isn’t any reason—” The Queen stops, meeting my gaze with a frown. “Who is this?”
“Mother,” Kai draws a hand up my arm. “This is Briar Anders. Isn’t she pretty?” He tilts his face against my arm, inhaling loudly.
I smile, bringing my hand up to cup his face, then play through a few loose strands of hair. Her attention only narrows.
“Human.” She spits. “Why did you bring it here? Why is it at my dinner table?”
She talks as if I’m a dog. Still, I try to look off into the distance and ignore her confrontation. Focusing solely on the smell that surrounds Kai. His sweet scent, always laced with a hint of Reminints.
Kai grabs my thighs. It’s much more possessive than the gentle touch he’d given me before. His fingers dig into my skin, almost painfully, as he drags them up my legs, finally hovering at my inner thigh.
“I was bored and took a little trip to the Mortal Realm to remind me why what I do is so great. I found this little thing and she’s very much impressed with us. Very playful too.” He lifts one hand, grabs my face, and pinches my cheeks together. It takes all of me not to pull away. Pleasantly, I laugh at the gesture.
“Of course she is, son. She’s a mortal.” His father’s lips are pursed. Did they tell the king of their plans for me in this court?
Servants usher themselves forward, pulling out seats for both the King and Queen. The Queen, with her black curls and pale toned skin, tosses her hair over her shoulder. She reminds me instantly of Lincoln. Their faces mirror one another. Though tall iron spikes rise off her scalp in thin, delicate pieces that interlock into her crown. One eye is the treasure color I’m fond of, the other totally grey. She looks anything but nice.
Holding her hands properly at her waist, she sits down careful not to wrinkle her deep violet gown that clings onto her curves. She allows her other children the smallest of glances.
The king holds a heavy stare with each one of them, a silent plea for answers and a vicious command to keep my title unknown, pushing his white blonde braid behind his back as he sits. The metal bands on his wrists clatter against his seat as he relaxes. Both Rowan and Violet have straightened in their chairs and their expressions have been wiped clean to indifference.
Kai’s breath is hot on my skin. “It’s all for good fun, Mother.”
“Well, I’d hope so. She shouldn’t even be eating with us.” She hisses, unashamed that I can clearly hear everything she’s saying.
I pout slightly, squirming in his lap. “I don’t want to leave you.” If she wants to treat me like a dog, I guess I can play the puppy.
“Would it serve you better if I took her toeatin her room?” Eat clearly doesn’t meaneat,with the way he says it. Kai tilts his head into me.
“That would be rude.” King Dravid says plainly, pushing back the black collared coat he wears.
