“So, they want to hear us?” I asked, the words coming from my mouth slowly, as if my brain was taking longer to process what they meant.
I knew what they meant, in the back of my mind. But the reality of speaking them aloud took me by surprise.
“Yes, I doubt they are listening now, but tonight they will be and it is important we do not disappoint," he said plainly, his arms resting at his sides. Despite his relaxed appearance I could see his hands twitching. A sign of his own discomfort.
“Do what?” I asked, tilting my head once more. Feigning ignorance. I wanted to see how far he would go before he got angry. Some sadistic side of me wanted him to break almost as much as I was sure he would break me.
“You are not foolish Elara, you know what they expect.” He ground out, his silver eyes betraying his cold demeanour for just a second.
“If I refuse?” I challenged, stepping forward until we were chest to chest. Moving so my back was now to the room. The firelight was blocked out byRhael’s imposing shadow. The warmth from the flames seemed to disappear.
He was so much taller than me, stronger in every way. However, I didn't back down, I couldn't. Not for this. Not when it came to the wolves expecting some kind of sex show, whilst they sat below jerking themselves off to prove we were not liars.
“Then Magnus will see the lie, and they will kill you first, and me as a result.” Rhael said, a smirk lingering on his lips as if he enjoyed explaining that I would die by the wolf King's hands.
I hadn't wanted it to, but it stopped my brain in its tracks. The Wolf King would kill me, he would enjoy it and I would be helpless to stop it.
“So, we have to pretend like we are doing things?” I whispered, taking my time with the words.
I needed to be clear on what he expected from me. My chest rose and fell with unsteady breaths brushing against his every time. I tried to ignore the friction it created between us, but something wanted to push it to that next level.
To see where the line would be drawn. If the Fae King was as brave as his words sounded.
“No,” he whispered, his eyes narrowing as he stepped forward again making me step back until the back of my knees hit the wooden frame of the bed.
“No?” I questioned, steadying myself trying to fight, keeping myself upright. Convincing myself I would not fall back onto the bed.
“Pretending isn’t an option. If they sense deception, we die.” He ground out, his eyes flickering to irritation once more.
Rhael clearly thought I was being intentionally stupid. I was, but I wanted to hear him say it. To give me the order. I wouldn't do this willingly. He would have to command me if this was truly what he wanted.
Even then I was certain I would fight him every step of the way.
“I don't understand any of this.” I sighed, lifting my hand to pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration, refusing to wince as I caught the delicate skin between my eyes.
“You don't need to understand, you need to follow the rules.” Rhael’s body shifted even closer, forcing me to topple back onto the bed.
My hands let go of my face to brace behind me, my legs falling over the edge of the bed leaving me exposed and vulnerable. The two feelings I hated more than anything else on this god forsaken plane of existence.
It ignited anger in me that I had not felt since coming to the Fae King’s ownership. It reminded me of past owners, how they would command me, expect me to follow with a curtsey or a bow.
I would not bow, never. Not even to Rhael. Not even with him standing over me with darkness in his eyes.
“There are always rules with you. Rules I didn't ask for. Rules I never agreed to. Rules I never wanted. You dragged me into this war,your politics. Now you give me rules on how I am expected to fuck you. This is too much!” I snapped, pushing myself upwards.
My hands pressed into the soft furs behind me as I looked up at him. My jaw set as the words fell from my mouth, an unstoppable wave of anger and questioning like the Fae King had never experienced before.
“Elara.” he warned, taking a step back, allowing me to sit up further pressing the backs of my thighs into the dark wood.
“Why do you even need a companion? Why me?” I demanded, pushing for more answers.
A small voice in my head told me to shut up. To stop goading the one man who could keep me safe in this kingdom and his own. But it was drowned out by the torrent of anger that coursed through my veins, burning my blood like a fire.
“I explained this.” He sighed, taking his turn to look exasperated as he watched me. His tongue flicking out over the metal ring in his lip. The sound of metal clanging against his teeth echoed around the room.
“Well explain it again because apparently my human brain is too stupid to understand.” I sneered, remembering the way the Wolf King had regarded me.
Like how to every other creature, I was nothing more than mud stuck on the bottom of their shoe. Humans were nothing, worthless. Made only to serve or live in the slums fighting for survival.
