Page 30 of Hell's Storm

I snort.

“Go ahead, relax. I’ll wait outside the door.”

He closes the door before I can even object and make him stay. I slip into the bubbly water, sinking far into the clawfoot tub. Taking my time, I refill the tub twice to get all the dirt off my body. When I finally leave the bathroom, I find Ledger sleeping on the bed with a wine-red gown next to him. Quietly, I dress in the long, silk-ruffled gown. The top part hangs off my shoulders with a ruffle around the edge and drawstring linen. The corset pushes up between my breasts and drops down to my navel. Then the bottom flows down in elegant layers. Ledger wakes up as I’m putting on strappy heels.

“I got you, my queen,” he mutters, dropping to his knees before me. He helps me with the straps as if I’ve never put on heels before. Leaning close, he presses his nose onto my calf and inhales. “You smell so much better.”

I rest my heel on his knee before dragging it onto his shoulder. His eyes drop, but because of the length of the dress, he can’t see my pussy and lack of panties.

“Uh, we don’t have time, Asura. Don’t tease me.”

“Come on,” I joke. “You love taking me in a dress.”

His crimson eyes darken. “Watch it or mid-breakfast, I will.”

I chuckle, standing.

He takes my hand and leads the way out of the room. Guards follow us down the stairs and lead us to the dining room. Ryker’s palace is ten times bigger than mine and way more elegant. His is bright and colorful, full of life and plants. Mine is—well, was—all dark, very gothic.

In the dining room, I find the rest of the men. Hazen doesn’t look up, making my stomach churn. He still hates me.

Ryker stands, pulling out a chair between him and who I assume is his father. He’s older with gray hair and a beard. I let Ledger go to sit with the others while I park my ass between Ryker and his father.

“You look lovely,” Ryker says, and I just bow my head. I can’t tell how I feel about him. I felt betrayed by him, but his threats before turned me on. I seem to like toxic men, huh?

“Hello, Asura Beelzebub. I’m Christopher Azule, the King of the Faeland.”

I bow slightly. “Nice to meet you.” Ryker looks a bit like his father. They have the same high cheekbones, but other than that, I can’t tell they are related.

“Please, eat and drink. You probably are parched.” He waves to the food in front of me.

I glance at Khazon. He’s between Ozias and Inarian. His eyes tell me something is off, but not in a dangerous way. Being best friends with him at one point actually comes in handy. I take the wine glass and drink the sweet-smelling water. Once the cold water touches my throat, I chug the rest. A fae servant fills it up with more; this time, it doesn’t smell sweet. That’s when everyone digs in.

Silence stills the air until the king speaks. “Why did you attack him?”

I lift my head, locking eyes with Jigsaw. He looks like he wants to tell me something, but I already know because the words come out like vomit.

The words come out of my mouth without me even wanting to speak, “Because I trusted him, and he betrayed me.”

“Trusted him? You barely know my son. You didn’t even know he was a king? Do you always trust a man so quickly?” King Christopher implores.

I face him. “No. I trust no one quickly.”

“What are your intentions with my son? To kill him? To take his crown?”

I shrug. “Crossed my mind… The first one. To kill him.”

His brows bounce.

“But there are no intentions for the crown I just learned about.”

“Don’t you think you have enough men?”

“No.”Shut up, Asura.I eat a piece of bread.

“Why?”

My jaw tightens as my leg bounces. I can fight the truth serum they gave me a little bit, but without Circe, I’m nothing. “Because… I don’t think one man can handle me, and I don’t think I can ever be satisfied with one. Why get disappointed by one when I have others willing to do anything for me?”

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