“Don’t worry about me, Mother.” Cyrus replied. I could practically feel his arrogant smirk. The queen scrutinized her son, and I nearly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing her eyes were no longer on me. “I’ll ensure Princess Zerlina feels the full weight of my attention.”
His mother released a heavy sigh while studying him, her eyes lingering back on me for a moment. For that second she glanced back at me, I didn’t breathe. After that lingering heartbeat, she nodded, then sharply spun away on her heel, stalking out of the throne room. Surely to go terrorize someone else—Princess Daneiris most likely.
“Now, you and I have some business to attend to, my dear.” Cyrus spun me around to face him by my hips. My hands shot out and grabbed onto his arms to avoid falling over in the process. I breathed out heavily. I slowly brought my gaze up to his. A cruel light glinted in his eyes, but there was something else that lingered. A trace of that same man who showed me there was more depth and layers to him that he hid away. The man that kissed me so sweetly and sparked passion between us. Old Gods, had he been that man all the time, I would have struggled not to jump into his bed—despite my convictions. But that man was completely overshadowed by the monstrous act carried out only feet away—and I could not,would not, forgive him for the horror show he’d orchestrated today.
Chapter 13
“
C
omealong, Asteria.” Cyrus smirked like he could tell what I was thinking and didn’t care one bit. He walked away from me, trusting I’d follow along. Because, honestly, I truly had no choice in the matter.
Otherworld damn him and his stupid expectations! And damn the fact that I had no choice in following through and proving him right.
I hurried along behind him, blinking with surprise as he led us to the main entrance where a carriage awaited us. A wagon trailed behind the carriage, piquing my interest. I narrowed my eyes at Cyrus’s back as he stopped in the middle of the round cobblestone drive.
He didn’t move towards the carriage, instead walking straight to one of the nearby guards. The Fae nodded at whatever Cyrus said, and the two spoke for a few moments before the guard ducked into a side door. Cyrus glanced over at me and the smile he flashed in my direction filled me with trepidation.
I was right to fear that look. A moment later, the side door opened and Despoina was dragged out. She wept softly as guards held either arm, dragging her to the wagon and loading her in. I was transfixed by the scene unraveling before me, so much so that when Cyrus touched my arm, I jumped in surprise.
“Let’s go.” Cyrus demanded, taking my arm and dragging me toward the carriage. I stepped up into the carriage in a haze, beginning to feel numb with all that transpired over the last hour. Cyrus watched me for the entire journey while the carriage rattled down the roads to wherever our destination was. The sinking feeling sat heavily in my gut, but the numbness spreading through me didn’t allow me to dwell on it.
“It’s time.” Cyrus said as the carriage came to a stop, a wide smile spreading over his face. He exited the carriage and waited for me to step down before he led me toward the front entrance of the building we stopped at before.
I noticed the women right away. Several stood around out front, dressed in the most scantily clad outfits, leaving no room for imagination. Chests nearly burst out of their low necklines, while others had tiny straps barely hanging on, and high slits showed off their toned legs and thighs. I gulped at the sight of them.
The building itself was fairly nondescript, dark gray brick made it blend into its surroundings. Cyrus waved me along impatiently, and I followed him through the door, entering into a whole different world.
The loud sounds reached me first. All the yelling, screaming, moaning, and laughing. Glasses clinked, and cards shuffled. Chips dealt across tables.
The main floor had all sorts of card tables set up. A long bar ran across the back of the establishment. Men drank and gambled with women perched half naked on their laps. Some smoked a substance I could only guess was eclipse—named for its effect of euphoria eclipsing reality. I watched as several women laughed while they pulled men who were bemoaning their losses toward a set of stairs, clearly intending to lose themselves in the women to forget. Grabbing them by the hips or ass and boasting of the entertainment he’d offer her. The women were wellpracticed—agreeing eagerly instead of laughing at their obvious exaggerations.
I blushed, realizing now just how innocent I was, prior to this evening. It was one thing to read of Cyrus’s gambling dens and brothels, but to see it in person was a surreal experience.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” Said a busty woman who eyed me over, clearly assessing my body and looks. Her dress was so short I felt my eyes nearly falling out of my head. “She’s a pretty one, my Prince, she’ll certainly bring in quite a lot of coin.”
Was she propositioning Cyrus to purchase me? For her establishment?
Oh, Otherworld, no—I refused to allow it!
“I’m afraid she’s not available, Saskia. She’s mine.” Cyrus replied coolly as he narrowed his eyes at the woman. His arm came around my waist and pulled my body against him.
“That’s a shame.” Saskia tsked as she continued to look me up and down. She shook her head with remorse. “She looks like she could keep me in business for years.” I stiffened at her predatory tone, and Cyrus let loose a growl which made the woman burst out with a smoky laugh.
“Calm down, my Prince, the message has been received.” Saskia continued to chuckle, her voice raspy and low. “Now, what can I do for you? Are you looking for some more women to add in? Is your girl not keeping you satisfied?”
Should I be insulted? A part of me bristled at the assumption that I couldn’t please my partner—the other part was annoyed that my partner would be the prince in this situation.
“I have a new girl for you.” Cyrus began, studying me with a raised brow before he turned his attention back to the older woman. “One who will need to be broken in only slightly to the job. She’s experienced in sex work, but not in a brothel. She was castle-only before she became a companion.”
Saskia opened her mouth to say something, but the two guards came in, holding Despoina between them, dragging her to us and dropping her to the ground. I glared at them as I yanked out of Cyrus’s grip, going to my knees before her.
“Despoina? Are you—” I winced as a hand fisted my hair and yanked me back up to my feet. Cyrus used his grip on my hair to turn my head to him. I seethed, my teeth grinding as I glared at him.
“Don’t test me right now, Asteria. You see this?” He forced my head to Despoina, collapsed on the ground. “This could beyourfate. I’ve been so good to you, my dear. I’ve tried to give you everything you’d ever need, only to have it tossed back in my face. And then you flirt with some random slave, consider taking him to bed, and make a fool out of me.” His words were a low hiss, only for my ears.
The din of the brothel prevented even Fae hearing from picking up his words.
