Page 15 of Prize for the King
“My subjects?” he asks, snorting softly. “My subjects are back inRoharra, where we’ll travel tomorrow.”
“Yes,” I snap. “And your subjects are here, as well. My father is dead. You were his lawful heir through marriage, and now, you are the king. The people of Farneer, your subjects, are being raped.”
Behind me, Khay makes a sound of awed surprise. I see why that’s a shock—the Agnidari have proceeded the same way they always did after a conquest before. But this time, it’s different. The Tyrant actually gained the position of ruler lawfully, not through the conquest. The people of Farneer are not a conquered nation—they are his to rule over, his to protect. None of them seem to have realized this until now.
I swallow and try to be taller. The Tyrant’s face hardens, understanding dawning, and he watches me in silence. I wait patiently, ready to defend my position with all it takes. This, at least, I am good at.
Obstinate Princess, at your service.
“If I understand correctly,” he says at last, eyes narrowed in shrewd assessment, “it is my queen’s wish for the people of Farneer not to be raped.”
I almost smile. This is a game to him, and I was schooled in court games for years.
“No,” I say sharply. “It is my wish for the king’s subjects to be safe and well. Thus, I am informing the king, that is you, that harm has befallen the servants of his castle. The king will decide how to proceed.”
I turn away, ready to leave. His hand curls around my arm so fast, I gasp from surprise.
“Turn around,” he says in a low, serious voice. When I do, he nods. “I see what you are trying to do, but I am not a king like your father. I am not at home here. These are not my people.”
My lip curls in disgust—but what else did I expect from anAgnidari? He’s an uncivilized barbarian who won’t even give the king the honor of a proper death.
The memory of my father’s crushed face flashes through my mind. I almost spit in hate.
“You vowed to serve your kingdom and subjects,” I say with a sneer. “Already breaking your vows, my king? It’s good to know I am free to break mine, as well.”
His hold on my upper arm tightens. We stare into each other’s eyes, locked in a contest of who hates whom more, until he hisses at me with his teeth bared, and I can’t hold back a tiny, miniscule flinch.
The damned teeth.
He pulls back, his silver eyes glinting with satisfaction at my show of fear.
“I will order the rapes to be stopped if you welcome me to your bed with a pleasant smile and a willing cunt when we arrive in Roharra.”
My mouth falls open, and I stare at him, speechless. The crudeness of his words makes me doubt he really said them for a moment. He grimaces, looking away, but his grip remains steady.
“Contrary to what you might believe,my queen, I am not heartless. I’ll let you grieve your father. But once we reach my kingdom, you will become my wife in every sense of the word. Do we have a deal?”
I swallow, remembering the screams I heard in the corridors. He is a monster for negotiating his own pleasure against the suffering of others, but I have no other way to convince him.
“How long does it take to reach Roharra from here?” I ask, stiffening my legs so he won’t see their trembling.
“Ten days, give or take a few.”
I nod sharply. “Then yes.”
He doesn’t acknowledge my reply, already turning away until his long hair sways behind his back. Even bound at his nape, it easily reaches his lower back, a waterfall of glossy white. “Arvi, spread mynew orders. No more rapes in Farneer. Whoever disobeys me will be disemboweled.”
The bald Agnidari with blue tattoos curling around his skull brings his fist to his chest. “Yes, my king!”
Khay tugs my hand when the Tyrant turns back to the maps, the other Agnidari focusing on him.
“Come on. You need that bath, and probably food.”
“Find me a servant who wasn’t hurt,” I demand, my jaw trembling now that the ordeal is over. “I can’t look at their tears.”
“I will. Now come, little diamond.”
I go, and with every step, the Tyrant’s words play like an echo in my head.“Pleasant smile. Willing cunt. Pleasant smile. Willing cunt.”
