Page 26 of The Rat King
He really was a monster. And I should be grateful for the man who was standing before me, though he saw fit to take other lovers. Yet I hardly blamed him because if whatever pent up frustration he felt was anything near the way I felt when I had been between Nighval and that tree, something had to be done to take care of things.
Though I certainly would not give it to him.
Like Xavier could read the traitorous thoughts swirling around in my head, he said, “What were you doing? And why is it I find you with my brother, again, with that heated look in your eyes?” The way his gaze narrowed as it roved over me, then settled on my throbbing lips, made my stomach swirl. And not in a good way.
“Nothing,” I said, desperately
“How are you going to fall in love with me if you’re out gallivanting around with my brother?” he asked.
Oh God, indeed. Xavier was right. I was definitely never going to fall in love with him after I made out with his brother. What an idiot. Even if he used magic, how did I let that happen? Clearly, I hadn’t been getting enough oxygen, but damn, he was a good kisser. I could practically feel the dampness collected between my thighs, the ache he’d ignited. Had I hoped he’d catch me? How could someone be so utterly terrifying and make me feel that way? Magic. That was the only explanation I kept coming back to over and over again. It was either that or I officially lost my mind.
Xavier knew, and he was furious. Maybe he didn’t know that I just made out with Nighval, but he could sense whatever terrible chemistry was between us.
. “I…” I trailed off as both of our eyes landed on my overstuffed backpack that Nighval made sure to bring back with us.
“Did you run? Is that why your pack is lying out in the open?” he asked, his stare becoming dark.
“I overheard you with Olive. She encouraged you to force yourself on me. I was scared,” I admitted.
Xavier tilted his head to the side. “What exactly did you overhear?”
“Only that. I came to find you and your voices were muffled. I didn’t want to intrude so I left before I heard more,” I lied. I decided not to let him know that I knew he had a lover. Best to pretend I only overheard the truth I needed as an excuse. Right now, he still believed we had a chance to end the curse.
He studied me as if he were deciding what to believe. “Avery, you know I wouldn’t do that. I’ve tried time and time again to be patient and gentle because I thought that would make you warm to me, but I can see kindness is not what makes you come alive. I’ll give you one month to prepare yourself for your king. I want your body and your heart. On the next reprieve I expect you to be ready to give yourself to me willingly.”
I nodded, unable to find the words. Too many feelings were flooding my system.
“Good,” he said and scanned the room. “I don’t want to have to lock you in here. Now that you know I don’t plan to hurt you, can I trust that you’ll not flee again?”
“Yes,” I said, quickly enough to guarantee he wouldn’t consider locking me in here. I wasn’t sure I could handle that.
“Okay, my queen. Trust goes both ways. Let’s use our next month to show each other we are worthy of each other’s trust. Sound good?”
“Of course,” I said, wanting to roll my eyes. Sure, I kissed his brother, but he was railing some chick on the side.Please, just leave. “Goodnight,” I said, hoping he’d get the picture. I needed to be alone and sort my shit out.
That was the wrong thing to say, and it seemed to piss Xavier off, but I didn’t care. He shook his head and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. As soon as I was alone, I rushed over to the mirror to see how ravished I looked. My skin had a pink tinge to it and my lips were a little more swollen than normal, but I knew the way I used my makeup differed from how the women did here, especially considering they were rats most of the time, so I could write it off as that.
Goddess, I could still feel him on me.
As I got ready for bed, two thoughts oscillated in my mind. What was I going to do about Xavier in a month, and what would have happened if Nighval had caught me an hour earlier? The latter making my lady parts scream for attention. I was depraved. Still, after I crawled into bed, I hiked my nightgown up and relieved my aching core with the image of a predator dancing in my mind. I’d figure out how to come to my senses in the morning.
Chapter 19
Nighval
One month later
Xavierwasgoingtokill me, but I had to get back to her and see if she wanted things to continue as badly as I did. A few motions with my hands, and I was in the hallway outside her room. No noise came from the inside, so I gently tried the knob. It was unlocked. She left it unlocked for me. Tonight, we had hours and the things I wanted to do to her. The month I spent at Lieden Palace was too long to be away from her. Too long to think, to reconsider my actions. Namely why had I taken her back to Ravsted and once there, why I left her with my angry brother.
The truth was, I panicked. Never had I imagined her to mirror my desire and now the way she moved against me was a memory that lived at the forefront of my mind. Tonight, I’d take her and rectify my past mistakes.
My heart skipped as I pushed the door open, then guttered when my eyes landed on my brother sitting cross-legged at the desk where I’d found her reading the book I’d been after months before.
He lifted his head from his hands and said, “I knew it,” shooting an absolutely murderous glare in my direction. The expression on the witch’s face was horrified as she looked up from her perch on the foot of the bed. Had he threatened her? Was he going to hurt her? I would whisk her away before my brother could do any such thing. She didn’t need to worry about him any longer and soon enough my face would be between her thighs, showing her exactly how well I intended to take care of her. Reliving every fantasy I had over the last twenty-nine days. Maybe she’d notice me taking care of her so well that she’d believe me to be something other than the monster I was.
The thought sent a triumphant thrill through me. I was about to reach a hand out to beckon her when Xavier said, “Avery, I believe my brother is under the mistaken impression that you want him. Tell me, wife, do you want my brother?”
The witch glanced between me and Xavier, getting to her feet. He stood and she made her way to his side. I didn’t understand. I knew I wasn’t wrong about what I sensed. About what she had clearly felt. But even now she shrunk back, looking ready to step behind Xavier if I moved an inch in her direction. My brows pinched together as they lowered, and I knew my visage had become more intimidating by the way her eyes widened.
