Eleven
MAX
I’m going to strangle him, consequences be damned.
The food turns to ash on my tongue as my hand grabs for the dagger at my hip.
Kaden halts my arm, smirking to the crowd as they cheer. A royal wedding? They think it’s a good omen.
“Now, now,” he whispers, nails biting into my flesh. “If you harm me, you’ll only hurt yourself.”
“Maybe it’s worth it,” I challenge. Marriage. Tohim?
I’d soon rather be killed than be tied even more to him. He already has my soul, now he wants my life? My love? How unfair is Fate?
“Think carefully, kitten,” he reminds me, adjusting to hide how he holds my hand and dagger down. “I’ll heal quickly, but will you?”
“Does it matter?” I ask, tugging away from him. “If I die, so do you.”
“I don’t plan on dying today,” he quips. “Now, eat.”
Glaring, I fist my ruined dress. “I’m not marrying you,” I hiss, keeping my voice low. “You can’t make me your wife.”
He sips from his wine, a regal act that makes me want to slaphim. Just to break his mask, his impeccable control. I shouldn’t be the only one angry, he should feel something. How can he do this? How can he see no problem with this arrangement?
“I’ve already announced it,” he drawls, leaning back, legs spread wide. A king in this castle and I despise him for it. “If I want you as my wife, then you’ll be it. We’re already bound. It’s one more formality.”
Rage shoots through my veins, burning me as if my body has been thrown into a fire.A formality?My freedom, my wants, are nothing more than aformality?
Standing abruptly, I grab the closest glass and toss the red liquid over the heir, drenching his face and clothing. Copper wafts into the room—blood. He’s covered in it, black strands slicked down his neck, drops falling from his lips. A beautiful monster, just like I’ve always seen him as.
Smugly, I place the chalice onto the table and stomp toward the door. Was it petty? Absolutely. But there’s not much I can do to the heir that doesn’t harm me. Going after his ego in front of his guests is the next best attack.
I am no formality and I will not go willing.
I make it only a few steps down the hall before he grabs my arm, swinging me around.
Valiantly, I try to fight him off, hand swiping at his face, but his grip is strong and sure. My arms barely shake. “Let me go!”
He huffs, tossing me into the nearest wall, body caging me so I can’t kick him. “You can’t be alone in these halls, Max. You think I’d let you walk off after that demonstration?”
His dark eyes look down at me, wet blood smeared over his brow and cheeks. He’s a horrific Fae, but handsome in the gore, carved from white marble and I thrash against his hold. My fists pummel into his chest, ignoring the burn in mine. The want to pull him close and the utter despair that surrounds me at this reality hits my belly like a stone.
He sighs. “This is pointless?—”
Islap him, cutting off his argument. The sting blooms across my face, mirrored on his own as his head whips away, but I hold firm.
Ithurts, Gods above, but I can finally breathe.
“Youliedto me, stole me away and now, have forced me not just into aclaiming, but amarriageI do not want.” My voice shakes. “You don’t deserve my peace.”
Tongue darting out, he licks his spilt lip. His eyes stare at the wall, slowly sliding back to me. They’re pitch black, endless pools of shadows and I swallow. “Careful, kitten. I like your fight. If you don’t settle down, other things will happen that I’ll have no control over.”
His hips grind the barest against me and I feel his hard cock against my stomach.
Blue eyes blazing, I dare him. “Tryit.”
“Is everything alright?” A voice calls from down the hall and as one, we turn to face Fenrir, long strides eating up the distance.
