I did as my beast advised and forced my gaze back to the king with my chin held high.
He canted his head, his expression unreadable. “What’s your name?”
“Lilith, My King.”
“Why do you choose to appear before me in your lesser form?”
“I prefer it.”
“Don’t you fear others will perceive you as weak?”
“Many have made that mistake, and for many, it’s been their last, Sire.”
His blue eyes glittered with amusement, a strange combination with the streaks of red across his face. “You are strong.”
“All females here that still have breath in their bodies are strong.”
He rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowing with thought. “No, you’re different. Let me see your true form.”
I swallowed so hard it hurt. This was the part where I had to make a decision. Fight, or be the good little whore for the new king.
Either option would end in regret.
The least I could do was choose the option that would allow me to hold onto my pride for just a bit longer, even if it meant being ripped away from me. I wouldn’t betray myself by doing nothing.
“I don’t like letting my beast out. She’s dangerous. I’m doing everyone a favor, really.”
“You have a sense of humor. Didn’t think that capable of the barbarians this deep in Hell.”
“You’d be surprised what I’m capable of, Sire.” I held his gaze, keeping my face void of all emotion.
In short, don’t fuck with me.
But I had a sickening feeling that he was going to do just that.
Fighting off the urge to flee, I held my ground as he slowly strode forward. The Underrealm watched as the most powerful being in it slowly descended to one knee before me and held up a bloody offering.
My heart squeezed when I saw it was the guard’s heart, still clutched between his fingers.
“For my new queen.”
Everything around me froze as I stared down at the organ in his palm.
“What if I don’t want it?” I found myself whispering, too low for anyone else to hear.
There’s no turning back now.
For the briefest moment, a flicker of rage flashed across his face like a clap of thunder and was gone the next second, replaced with something way more terrifying.
Excitement.
My insides twisted around to the point of pain. I’d pegged him right. He was looking for a challenge, a rebel amongst a sea of women who’d kill for the chance to please him.
At least I could commend him on pegging me as his kind of mate. Too bad he wasn’t mine.
“You’d refuse me?” His brows raised but he didn’t look surprised. He looked pleased.
My tongue went lame in my mouth, unable to speak. “I don’t want to be queen.”
