I don’t outwardly sense any deception or any lies, but my guard is still up. Something feels off, but I can’t place it. “I’m sorry that you saw that, but that’s going to happen during this process, Marik,” I say, crossing my arms in annoyance.
His smile falters, and he says, “I know that. I do. I think it just got to me because it was my brother. He’s…he’s not right for you, Mae. He’s not a good guy.”
“I think I can decide what’s right for me,” I say defensively.
What is with these Serpent Princes trying to tell me who’s right for me and who’s not?
“No. Listen to me, Mae,” he says, his voice low and his eyes flashing back to black. “He’s a liar. He’s a manipulator. He won’t treat you like you deserve.” He walks closer to me slowly. “You are amazing, you are beautiful, you are one-of-a-kind, and you deserve someone who’s going to sit beside you and care for you in the way that you need. I was there for you, Mae.Me.Not Asmo, not Koa, not August, not Barrett.Me.I was there when you were on the floor. I was the only person who could get to you in that moment, who could save you from yourself.”
He’s right. Despite my chemistry with Asmo and the other princes, there’s something different about Marik. He’s been there for me in a way the others haven’t been. He’s seen me at my most vulnerable.
He pauses, running a hand through his damp hair.
“It’s killing me to see you with these other…boys. They don’t care about you like I do. I’m ready to lead, Mae. I’m ready to lead beside you. I’m ready to be a husband to you. This decision isn’t just about who you care for the most or who you have the best chemistry with. This decision is about who is fit to lead beside you during your reign.”
His voice is loud, passionate. He stops inches from me and places one hand beneath my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. “I’m falling in love, Mae, and it’s going to kill me if I don’t get to be with you at the end of this,” he says.
His confession takes me by surprise. I knew that Marik had feelings for me, but I didn’t know they were this strong.
I take his face in my hands and look into his eyes. “Marik, I—” He cuts me off by crashing his lips into mine. His kiss feels hungry, desperate, and unlike any kiss we’ve shared before.
This is the kind of kiss I needed from him. Everything between us has been good, but something—this passion—has been missing.
I cling to him, desperate for more, needing more. He guides my body to the closest tree and presses me against it. His body is flush against mine, the lean contours of his body hard and unyielding.
He breaks away from my mouth, his hand wrapped in my hair. My mouth feels swollen and wet from his mouth and tongue. I stare at him, breathing hard, needing more.
“I need you,” he whispers. “I need you, Mae. I see this life with you, and I need it. We could be unstoppable together.”
“I’m scared,” I confess.
I’m scared that he’s not the right choice. I’m scared of the feelings I have for the other princes. I’m terrified of the feelings I have for his brother.
“Me too.”
I shove my fears away, grab the collar of his shirt, and pull him back to me. Tongues, teeth, and lips collide as we cling to each other. He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist. I focus on the feelings I get from Marik, forcing myself to forget about everything else.
Too soon, he pulls his mouth from mine and sets me on my feet.
“Let’s go,” he says, holding one hand out.
I take his hand in mine, our fingers interlocked as we walk out of the forest. Despite the security of Marik’s hand in mine, I can’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—hides in the shadows of the forest, watching us like prey.
Chapter 28
A door slams downstairs, jarring me from my sleep. Confusion settles in as I look at my surroundings. There is a twin bed immediately across from me, a red plaid comforter tucked in neatly at the sides. I look down to find a matching comforter covering me, and then I remember: I went home with Marik last night. He sleeps behind me now, his arm slung across my waist.
We stayed up late last night, talking for as long aswe could until sleep claimed us both. We shared our life stories with each other. He shared more details of his childhood, reflecting on the cruel practices both he and Asmo were forced to endure. Starvation, beatings, and exhaustion, all to make them physically and mentally stronger. I held him as he shared the stories of his past, his eyes darkening as he re-told story after story. I wanted to cry for him. Instead, I held his hand and listened to each story.
After he finished, I wanted to rip his parents’ throats from their bodies. I couldn’t believe that had happened, not just to him and Asmo but to Koa as well. I can’t believe these kinds of practices are normalized in our kingdom.
Marik stirs behind me, and I turn in his arms to face him. His long eyelashes flutter and open. The silver band rimming his large pupils seems thin today, making the black look larger. A smile spreads across his face when he sees me.
“The High Queen is in my bed?” His voice is raspy.
I return the smile and say, “I have a feeling it won’t be the last time.”
He pulls me closer and says, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Mae,” his tone solemn.
