Page 333 of The Spider Queen
“I don’t trust you.”
“I don’t trust you, either. So it seems we’re at an impasse.” His tone was flat. “I will not let you leave my chambers until you tell me why my mentioning of the Guardians had you nearly passing out.”
His chambers? The last thing I wanted was to be in the King’s private rooms. I needed seclusion and security to sort through the feelings that were welling up inside of me.
What would King Aloysius do if he found out who my parents were? Negotiate a different deal, perhaps? The only thing that mattered was finding the final pearl. If I didn’t, then it didn’t matter what terms I discussed because I wouldn’t be able to keep my end of the bargain. I would be chained to Lucifer, and that trumped any other deal I brokered.
“The Guardians are my parents,” I said slowly.
“You’re their daughter? I didn’t know they had a child,” he stated, peering at me in shock.
“I was kept a secret and hidden in Purgatory for years. And then I begged them to let me leave. A mage erased my memories, placed a concealment spell on me, and I was able to live on Earth among humans. Until very recently, I thought Iwashuman.
“Lucifer was able to find me and remove the concealment spell, so I learned my true identity. He has imprisoned my parents in Purgatory and I am the only one who can free them.”
“I didn’t even realize they were trapped,” he said.
“Are you and your people part of Purgatory?”
“No. The desert is its own entity. But we have welcome passage to Purgatory, so we travel freely between there and here. For someone who grew up in Purgatory, I’m surprised you don’t know a lot about the Desert of the Forgotten.”
“They spoke of this place once and never again. They probably thought I’d never have a reason to be here. Please,” I pled, “I am bound to Lucifer. If I free myself, then I free my parents. The key to my freedom is on the island I asked about it.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “We will leave tomorrow.”
“We?”
He cocked his head to the side and smiled slightly. “We.”
Chapter 27
We walked in companionable silence as King Aloysius escorted me back to my room. I listened for sounds coming from the market, but all was quiet. Mothers had tucked their sleepy children into bed, young lovers were no doubt cuddled up under the covers.
I tried not to think of Lucifer, of his burning rage, of the showdown that would commence when we were face-to-face again. Though I harbored deeper feelings for the Prince of Darkness, I couldn’t convince myself I meant anything to him. I was a possession, a trophy, a symbol that he’d one-upped my parents. I was a balm to his burdens and the receptacle of his lust.
When we arrived at the door to my guest room, I turned to face the king. “So, tomorrow, then?”
He nodded slowly. “Dawn.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but then thought better of it. With an incline of his regal chin, he turned and left.
“King Aloysius,” I called after him.
“Aloysius,” he corrected.
“Aloysius.” The name without his title felt odd, naked. The warmth in his eyes when I said his name was unmistakable. “Thank you for your help.”
“It’s my pleasure, Stella.” He turned to leave once more, but I found my courage when I called after him yet again.
“I need you to know how grateful I am,” I began slowly, “for your aid. I couldn’t finish this last leg of my quest without you.” I paused. “It’s an honor to count you as a friend.” I kept my eyes on his, which were no less warm when he understood what I was saying.
He bowed slightly. “Sleep well. We have a long way to go tomorrow.” His smile was genuine when he finally left.
With a sigh, I turned around and opened the door. The room was dim, lit with a dozen candles. The drapes around the bed of pillows had been pulled back.
I closed the door and leaned against it for a moment. Absently, I ran a hand through my cropped hair and sighed. I kicked off my slippers and wandered over to the bed. I leaned back, my head on a pillow, and looked up at the drapery.
Inevitably, my mind began to wander and I thought of him. His lips against mine, the heat of him inside my body. I was entranced, enslaved by lust. I ached for him. I ached for the relief only he could give me.
And then I thought of another king, settling himself in his own bed. Why couldn’t I desire him? Why couldn’t I have given him the signal he’d been waiting for all evening? He cared for his people. I found him handsome. But he didn’t make my heart race. He didn’t make me greedy or demanding.
