No one moves, but a wide path parts, allowing us to enter.
“And it begins,” Reid mutters behind us, Fee snorting in agreement. I’m not sure what they’re referring to, but it’s hard to pay them attention when my heart feels as if it’s going to jump through my chest. My fear is so high, my hands shake.
Grabbing one trembling palm, Kaden side eyes me. “You reek of fear.Stopit.”
“Easy for you to say.” No one is looking at the heir like they want toeathim.
Turning, he pulls me close, possessive and sure, blocking us from the crowd. “If I can smell it,theycan. Turn it off, Max. I don’t need to remind you what fear does to a Dark Fae. Not everyone has my control.”
Angrily, I scoff and allow him to pull me into the room, short breaths puffing from my lips.
As we pass one Dark Fae Lord, his nose flares, his chest inhaling deeply. His fangs lower over his lip, my fear calling to his baser instincts like an aphrodisiac.
My mind flashes to those Dark Fae etchings in the doors, remembering that though they are civilized now, in the past, they were not. They will tear into anything—and anyone—if pushed the right way. I don’t want to tempt that.
Kaden growls, a low vibration under his throat that forces the Lord to look down and away.
“You’re terrible at this. Hasnoonetaught you how to control your emotions?”
“Not without fear,” I retort. Fear was the only way to make me control my magic. Nessa drilled the notion into my head since I was a girl. Now, it’s running rampant and I don’t know how to stop it.
“Here.” His heavy hand pats my belly, long fingers curling just enough to feel his touch. “Take deep breathes from here. Short breathes and you’ll pass out.”
Slowly, I inhale, breaths silent. The fear, the tension in my stomach lessens, the tightness easing. Carefully, I follow his steps, passing more Fae, shutting my face down.
After a few steps, he murmurs, “Better. But you could look at least a little thrilled to be here.”
“Which do you want? Honesty or happiness?” A lord steps too close and I grab the heir, nails digging into his forearm that I feel appear on my own. “Because I can’t do both.”
He laughs, bowing his head to a few women, his smirk growing at my irritation. “One day, kitten, you’ll realize I’m not your enemy.”
I snort as the procession ends. “That isn’t today.”
Something snaps in the heir, him turning too quick to process as his hands wrench my face to meet his eyes. His fingers press into my cheeks, tiny bites of pain, and I know I’ll have a bruise come morning.
“Remember, Max. Only one person has the ability to kill you. And that being isme.” Pushing my face away, he drags me the rest of the way to Zelos’ throne, shadows billowing off his shoulders.He’s in a mood tonight.How fortunate for me.
The stage is a few steps taller than the floor, with a large, black throne made of granite in the center. It’s too large for the Fae who sits upon it, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
He’s pretty enough, with a strong resemblance to his son. But there’s a cunningness in Zelos eyes that Kaden lacks. Coldness seeps into my veins, triggering the need to escape as those eyes sweep over me.I need to flee from this place and get away from him.
Fear, unlike anything I’ve ever felt with Kaden, knots in my gut and I glance behind me.
“Don’t,” Kaden breathes into my ear, acting as if he’s stealing an intimate kiss. “If you run, I will chase. And you don’t want that, kitten. Not here. Not in front of this crowd.”
My body shivers and I’m embarrassed to admit, it’s not from fear this time.
“And why not?” I barely mouth the words. Dampness grows between my thighs. “Afraid I would outrun you?”
“No, Max.” He chuckles, nuzzling my head, but his touch bites into my waist.A warning.“You won’t outrun me, because you can never be free of me. But I will catch you. I will break this beautiful body, mark it with my claims so everyone knows exactly who you belong to. And no matter how hard you fight me, I won’t stop. You will bend for me.” He inhales. “Do want that?”
Clearing my throat, my heart pounds in my chest. “No.”
“Such ahorribleliar.” He laughs. “You smell like sex, kitten. You want me, even now. Surrounded by death, by danger, claiming to hate me.” He inhales again. “Perfect for the future Queen of the Dark Fae.”
Before I can comment, Kaden drags me up onto the stage, coming face to face with his father.
I don’t know if I should bow or kneel, so I do neither, trying tocontrol my heart, the thick fear and arousal coating my skin. Kaden’s words unlocked some dark desire in me, but I am terrified by the king sitting before me.
