Page 102 of Wrath of the Fae

The urge to attack is unbearably intense. I imagine slitting his throat with the cool steel of the dagger at my thigh. I imagine letting that girl on her knees tear him to pieces.

But instead, I lower my gaze and offer a courtesy, hoping this is what is expected.

‘My Lady,’ he croons, a satisfied smirk on his lips. ‘A pleasure to see you again.’

Eyes down. Quiet.

‘I hear you went walking in the orchard today, Rhea. Is this true?’ He speaks as if I am a child, making my teeth grind together.

‘Yes.’

‘Yes, what?’

‘My king,’ I add, hoping that’s right.

The girl on her knees slams her hand into the floor, and her toes curl. His lip turns up in grotesque pleasure.

‘She can’t breathe,’ I tell him, unable to stop myself.

‘I know,’ he replies, forcing her further onto him. ‘Would you like to take her place and spare her?’

When I remain quiet, he scoffs.

‘Why were you in the orchard when you were told to remain in your room today?’

What do I say? What would Rhea say?

‘I was feeling claustrophobic. I meant no harm or disrespect. I just needed some air.’

I wait, watching him as he watches me.

‘Who were you speaking to? My soldiers told me there was someone with you.’

‘A beggar,’ I reply, recalling the soldier’s assumptions. ‘He was looking for food. I didn’t speak to him.’

I’m grateful for the long sleeves as my hairs stand on end, reacting to my lies.

He pulls the girl back, and she takes in a huge gasp of air as she sobs.

‘Please…’ she cries. ‘I want to go home. My mum is sick. Please let me go home!’

‘Your mother is the one who sold you to us,’ he teases, admiring the tears on her face. ‘In exchange for a cure to her illness.’

A lie. I feel it. But I can’t tell the girl. Even as she wails at his words. He rolls his eyes and returns her mouth to his cock. His lazy gaze returns to me as he manoeuvres the girl violently on himself. He doesn’t blink, and his stare has my palms sweaty. It’s like looking at a ghost. One from my nightmares. The more he looks at me, the more excited he becomes. The more feral and cruel.

I refuse to look away, scared that if I do, I’ll be discovered, or he’ll hurt the girl more than she already is hurting.

He breathes heavily before groaning his release. I gag as he looks me dead in the eye the entire time.

As soon as he is done, he tosses the girl aside and clicks his finger at one of the soldiers. He points to the girl.

‘This one was a little heavy-handed with her teeth,’ he says, getting to his feet. ‘Take them out. One by one.’ He looks at me, his head cocked to the side. ‘What use is a human mouth if it can’t take a cock properly.’ He scoffs. ‘Or any woman, for that matter. Don’t you agree, Rhea Rivers?’

Fuck… how he’s looking at me. I feel violated under that intense gaze.

The soldier bows and takes the weeping girl away. She looks back at me with pleading eyes. I take a step to follow, but this prick has other ideas. He grips my arm and leans in. I’m so careful to avoid meeting his gaze. I don't know if he’ll be able to tell Rhea and me apart.

‘How’s your husband doing, Rhea?’

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