It was the first time I had kissed someone other than Niko and the shock of having that strong mouth moving against mine was dizzying. I swayed, but Konstantin caught me, barely tensing with my weight. Nibbling at me, he continued to slide that velvety skin over mine. Nuzzling and nipping until I tremulously sought entrance.
As soon as my tongue slipped between his lips, Konstantin growled and lashed forward with his. Twirling with mine before shoving his way past, into me. As if he'd been waiting for an invitation and now that he had one, he wasn't going to wait a second longer. There was lust in his kiss, primal desire, but also tenderness. A gentle claiming. A promise of more to come. It was all I could do to not grind myself against his massive erection even as it grew larger, pushing into my thigh. Dear Gods, the man was enormous.
After far too long and yet much too soon, Konstantin eased out of our kiss. His stare was heavy-lidded and satisfied, despite him gaining no true satisfaction, and he ran a thumb over my bottom lip possessively.
“When I take you, and Iwillhave you, Misha, it will not be in front of an audience. You are worth more than that.” Then he escorted me to a chair, one opposite my king, and once I was seated, he turned to level his bright stare on Nikolay. “A kiss is enough to seal our agreement, Your Majesty. You have a deal. When I find the murderer, you will have him or her, and I will have Misha.”
Then the tiger inclined his head—more like a nod of acknowledgment one opponent might give another as opposed to any kind of deference—and left the room.
Chapter Five
As soon as the door shut, I knew I was in trouble.
A shiver went through my stomach as I turned to look at Nikolay. He wore no expression, which wasn't a good sign. But for the first time, I felt more than fear at the possibility of his displeasure. I was angry. Furious, really. I trembled with it. Still, I didn't give voice to it. Instead, I picked up my clothes and began to put them on.
“What are you doing?” the Swan King's voice was soft—yet another warning sign.
“I'm leaving.” I kept dressing.
I didn't often share my feelings with the King, and I had never rebuffed or rebuked him, but I was prepared to do all of that now. With Konstantin's departure, the reality of what Niko had just done registered, sinking past my arousal and into my brain. I had been so enamored with the tiger, so in lust with him, that Niko's betrayal had faded into the background. That was some serious desire. Enough to make me shake my head in amazement. I had been excited and even hopeful about the prospect of Konstantin winning me. My lust had drowned out the fact that my king—the man I'd given my virginity and fidelity to—had offered me to another man to get something he wanted more than me.
Vengeance.
Not that Niko would torture the killer himself. No, the Swan King would never dirty his hands. But he'd watch. Oh, yes, he'd watch every second, and that entertainment was worth more to him than I was. That's the cold reality that slapped me in the face the moment my lust had left.
I'd known for a long time that I was the King's property, but I'd told myself that I was priceless property. His treasure. Something he'd never part with. How foolish of me. So naïve. From the finest jewel to his favorite lover, Nikolay Lebedev saw us all as a commodity. Something for him to enjoy until he could trade us for something better.
Nikolay's betrayal had sent me running off that emotional cliff, and Konstantin had gone with, making the fall exciting. Making me glad I'd leapt. Giving me a false sense of freedom. But the entire time, the ground had been getting closer, and with his exit, I hit bottom hard.
“Oh, I've hurt your feelings,” Nikolay said.
Fuck, he was trying to be kind.
I knew I should bank my anger and bite my tongue. Just bow and obey. But the sudden return of shame and betrayal made me reckless. “Why would I be hurt? Because you offered me like a meaty bone to a hungry dog?”
“A hungrytiger.” He stood up and took my hand. Holding my gaze as well, he kissed my palm. “You will never be his, Misha.”
I froze. “What does that mean?”
Niko used my hand to pull me into an embrace. “You know I adore you.” He started stroking my hair soothingly. “I would never give you away. Show you off, yes. I can't help it; you are too lovely to not take pride in. But give away?Never.”
“You just promised me to him.”
“If our most brilliant minds can't find the killer, that barbarian won't. He will not succeed.”
“Then why make the offer at all?”
“I have my reasons.”
Translation: he was up to something.
“What game are you playing, Niko?”
“Take off your clothes and come to bed.” He left me there, disrobing on his way to the four-poster behemoth dominating the end of the room.
I hesitated.
“Misha.” Nikolay stepped free of his pants and turned to present his nudity.
