Page 191 of Wanted By a King

Although I want to ask more questions, I let it go. Cain isn’t my concern and honestly, I’m not sure I can handle the answers that explain his complex and childlike antics. Call me crazy, but I really think Leslie would have liked him. The two of them could drink imaginary tea and talk about unicorns.

I sigh and blow some strands of hair from my forehead. In another life, one where Leslie is alive, there’d be no need for me to meet Cain. So the thought is as ridiculous as it’s unimportant.

As we enter what looks like an abandoned office, Cain offers Gray some plastic to cover his clothes, which he promptly declines. Using the door at the end, we walk into another room. This one is bright, and the floor is covered in plastic.

“Alright, come with me.”

Cain places a hand on my shoulder, leading me toward the back where there are two neon colored bean bag chairs waiting for us.

“Take a seat on your new throne,” Cain says, bowing as he points at the neon pink one. “I bought this one specifically for you.”

Lost for words, I just smile, feeling… I don’t quite know how to describe it. I’m overwhelmed and nervous, yes. But this… the small gesture is… well, it’s quite something.

“Thank you,” I say, taking his hand so he can help me sit down without falling over.

“Stop touching her,” Gray growls, but he doesn’t sound as menacing as the other times he’s told people not to touch me.

Gray crouches and takes both my hands into his.

“You sure you’re okay, Princess?” he asks solemnly as he peppers kisses along the back of my hand.

Since I don’t fully trust my voice enough to speak, I merely nod.

As with everything in my life, I need time to come to terms with it. Knowing I want and need to be here isn’t the same as fully getting it, but I don’t have the luxury of time right now.

“Okay,” Gray says, unable to keep his concern for me from bleeding into his tone. “If it becomes too much, just leave. You don’t need to say anything, you just leave.”

I nod again.

“Remember what I made you promise me?”

In my gut I know I need to use my words to answer him this time. “Y-yes,” I croak. “I’m not allowed to ask you to stop, to get in the way, or in any way undermine you in front of the Reaper.”

“Good girl,” he praises. Then he snakes his hand around my throat in the all too familiar way I’ve come to love. “I’m so proud of you.”

Gray forces my head back and before I can say anything else, he slants his lips to mine. He coaxes my lips open and devours my mouth until I’m trembling with anticipation and need.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Cain calls out.

I break our kiss slowly, licking the seam of Gray’s lips before pulling back completely. Then I look over his shoulder to Cain who’s standing in front of… I don’t actually know what it is. But it’s covered in a white, blood-stained sheet.

“Do it,” Gray growls as he nips at my bottom lip. “Let her see him first.”

With ease, Gray lifts me up and takes my seat in the beanbag chair before placing me in front of him, also on the chair. He strokes my hair with one hand while wrapping the other around the nape of my neck.

“Are you ready, Princess?” he rasps.

At the same time, Cain yells, “Ta-da!” as he pulls the sheet from…

“Holy shit,” I murmur in awe and disgust. “Is that? I mean…” My mouth opens and closes, but no other sound comes out.

No matter how many times I blink, my mind keeps telling me that what I’m looking at isn’t real. But itisfucking real.

“W-why is he strapped to a c-cross?” I stutter, still not completely sure that what I’m seeing is actually there.

“Happens to be my specialty,” Cain laughs maniacally. “But as a favor to the Kings, I used rope instead of nails.” Pouting, he resembles a child who’s had their playtime interrupted.

Fucking hell, this guy.

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