“So what’s up?”
“What’s up? Is that how you greet a king?” Rylo asked, sliding into the leather seat next to her. The back slipped apart, making room for his wings to be draped through a hole and he leaned his head back, closing his eyes.
At that moment, he looked so normal. Like any tired man after a long day of work, just wanting to relax.
Not bothering to open his eyes and look at her, he said, “I’ll never cease to be amazed at the dishonor you and your sister show to your superiors.”
“Because we’re human?” Morgan asked. She knew he was talking about his title as king, but if he was going to constantly try riling her, she’d have to dish it out in return. And after the way she’d seen him react to her touching his wings, she knew he wasn’t referring to her species.
“For you to even say that tells me you know what I mean. You will be the most powerful being in this world, apart from Mother Althea and some of her daughters. It’s more about the principle of respecting a title.”
“Yeah, I’ve never cared too much for titles.” Morgan set the book in her lap down and leaned back into her own chair. “See,I’ve always given respect to people who earn it. Who worked for it. Not somebody who was given a title.”
Rylo moved so quickly, Morgan didn’t even have time to react before his arms were caged around her, his wings spread so wide that they bumped the book shelves on either side of the room.
“You know nothing of what I have worked for. I was never meant to be king. It was always supposed to be my sister, Lilith, who ruled. To be thrust into this role, believe mepet, I have scraped and fought for every bit of respect I have in this nation.”
Fear mingled with desire as Morgan took in Rylo’s perfect features, scowling in an anger she’d never seen on him before. Not even when she’d nearly killed them while plummeting down to the ground had he looked so enraged. So why was she kind of turned on by it?
She reached her hand out and traced the hard line of his jaw. “Okay, I believe you. You’re a big, tough king who earned his respect.”
Rylo grabbed her chin between his long fingers. He stroked the jagged scar tissue on her right cheek before he wordlessly let go and sat back down.
Shame slammed into her from that touch. She looked in the mirror so infrequently here that it was easy to forget she was so damaged. But she wasn’t going to admit that vulnerability to him. Not after she knew he’d touched her scar to put her in her place.
“Why should we collect the Divine Five? No more withholding information. What do you want to do with them?”
Rylo winked and waggled his finger at her. “No more withholding information? Now where’s the fun in that?”
“You’re insufferable,” Morgan said, picking up her book.
“Do you still wish to return home?” Rylo asked and Morgan’s eyes shot to him. What was he getting at here?
“Of course. If I had the choice I’d leave.”
“And give up that power you’re mastering? All that practice well into the night on that balcony of yours would be wasted in your realm. Do you really think you’d just go back to your dull, human life and not regret knowing what you could learn, what you could control?”
Morgan scowled, but didn’t give him an answer. Learning about magic and mastering her own skills had ignited something in her that her desk job never offered her. He was right. How could she just go back to normal life after this?
“If you find the Divine Five, if you control them, you would have the power to open portals, and close them permanently from any stray shifters who may wander into your realm.”
“What’s in it for you?”
Rylo’s skin took on that incandescent glow again. “What, indeed. Of course, you would need to use the Divine Five to help my nation first. Then you’d be free to go. I wantallour former lands back. For far too long, Latiah and Goldoth stole what was once ours. Help me restore the Nephel nation utilizing the power in that deep magic and you can leave.”
“Didn’t Savine return your lands in exchange for Avery?”
“A fraction of what was once ours. I want it all back, but we do not have the military strength of our neighbors to defeat both nations and win back our land. You will be my weapon.”
Morgan pursed her lips. She didn’t want to be a weapon. “No. I don’t think so.”
“We have an agreement, pet,” Rylo sneered. “You have little choice in the matter. Especially after what I did for you in Latiah.” Rylo lifted his hands up, showing the black streaks across his faintly glowing skin.
“Me helping you in exchange for the three oaths. Yeah, I know. But if I get these five relics, what’s going to stop me from going home and sealing your realm off permanently?”
Rylo’s eyes sparked into a blazing fury. He moved once again, caging her against the chair with his wings and his arms.
“Because, kingslayer, I will stop at nothing to prevent you from betraying me. If you try to betray me, I will make you suffer.”
