Page 68 of A Hunt So Wicked
"I can protect you, Evie."
My view of the floor wavered as tears welled.
"There was a score being kept, during the hunt," he explained, his voice pained.
"A score?" My body felt numb, like at any moment, I would just collapse in on myself and be reduced to nothing. Then I remembered. "The ravens?"
Dair cleared his throat. "Yes. They were the eyes. I don't know what the point system is, but I can guess. The only good thing that may come out of this is that I believe I scored high. That will determine the order of who gets to choose first."
I shook my head. "B-but, my father—"
Dair took my hands and squeezed them. "That's what I'm trying to tell you, Evie. I choose you, and that way, I will ensure you'll still be able to see your father. Or bring him to the castle to live with you."
A bitter laugh escaped as I pictured my father in a fucking castle. "He'll never agree to it. No, I won't agree to it!" A fresh wave of anger was rising. "I was lured here under false promises! This is complete horse shi—"
"Damnit!" Dair growled, pulling me against him. "Why don't you understand that I am trying to help? Trying to make sure you live to see your father again?! You're being foolish."
"Me? Foolish?!" I shoved him, which did absolutely nothing. I don't think his skin even felt the force of my push. "You listen to me, you big, hairy, overgrown beast of a man! I will do whatever I have to do in order to get back home. I don't need you. I don't need anyone, do you hear me?!"
I watched as his forest green eyes darkened two shades deeper, making them appear nearly black. A flash of yellow flickered across them, and I yelped. I remembered that shade of yellow all too well.
"I will see you safe, and you will accept that," he said, his voice even and calm. It was terrifying. He was terrifying... and I was an idiot.
"I'll do nothing of the sort. You said you wouldn't force me!"
"Well, that was before I realized how much of a stubborn baby you were."
My mouth dropped at the insult.
"I actually have half a mind to simply throw you over my shoulder this instant and sneak off with you."
I gritted my teeth. "And I have a full mind to kick you right in your balls if you try."
"You're driving me mad! Would you rather be chosen by someone else? Someone who doesn't give a single shit about the murders they committed out in those woods?" He pointed in the direction of the crimes. “Trust me, because there are quite a few who are like that."
After what I had been through, the thought of continuing to play nice with these monsters was nearly impossible to stomach. What they had chosen to do was nothing short of evil. They'd have no problem executing me for any little thing if I became a problem. I did not want to die. I could not die. Not yet, anyway. Not until my father's time had come and gone. I would not be the cause of his heartbreak, but I was not going to let any of them know what I was thinking.
"I'll consider your... proposition."
Dair blinked in disbelief. "My proposition? It wasn't a proposition!"
I lifted my brows. "Then what was it?"
"I was informing you of my intention to make you my queen."
Me. A queen? I hadn't even processed that part of it yet. A ruler. The woman who provides heirs to continue the royal bloodline for generations to come.
"And what if I don't want it?"
"I suggest you ask yourself and listen to yourself, honestly. Perhaps you don't wantit—" I glanced up, and my eyes collided with his. "But," he continued, and I held my breath as he stepped closer, "do you want me?"
My mouth opened, and I tried to find words, but he was so close now. I could count the few dark freckles on his nose. They matched the color of his beard.
"Do you, Evie?" His thumb traced my cheekbone before he leaned down, putting his mouth next to my ear. "I want you."
My insides clenched at his words and the feel of his breath on my skin. His head dipped lower, putting his lips against my neck. "I've wanted you since the moment I saw you. I will protect you. Let me."
I cursed my traitorous body when a sigh slipped through my lips at the sensation of his mouth against my skin. Suddenly, he was gone, and my eyes, which had closed at some point, flew open. My skin protested the loss of his touch and I blinked, looking at him in confusion.
