“You will endure it,” he shrugged as he copied my tone from earlier, as if my comfort meant nothing.
“And if he touches me?” the words coming out more now as a demand. That was when I saw him shift, the dismissive look on his face changed to a flash of anger before I saw him fight to regain his control.
“He won’t,” Rhael growled, his hands clenching and unclenching as he looked me up and down. I stood a little taller, straightening my back as I tried to make myself take up more space. Almost showing him that, even if he did not think it, I was someone worthy of the dragon King's desire.
“How can you be certain?” I asked, flicking my hair behind my shoulder trying to keep the small wisps from my face.
“I will guarantee you here and now that he will not touch you or the alliance will be void. Consequences be damned.” He explained,his voice low as if the warning was meant for me as well as anyone else.
“You are asking a lot.” I warned him, although even before he spoke, I knew he did not care. Despite what I felt for Rhael it was clear I wasn’t worthy of him, at least not in his mind.
“I am giving orders, there is a difference.” He smirked as he copied my stance, puffing out his chest making him seem broader, bigger. A clear sign of his power and dominance.
“How can you be so different? Here, in your own home, when before you were not so rigid?” I asked him, throwing my hands in the air as a sign of exasperation.
Thankfully we were alone, if I had raised my arms when anyone else was present, they would have assumed I planned to strike the King. I was just thankful Rhael knew better, or at least I had hoped he did.
“That was Lycanthyr, this is Vaetharyn. You would do well to remember it,” he snapped a snarl lingering on his lips as I hit another nerve.
“So that night, it was just nothing?” I asked, finally getting the question out of my lips that had lingered in my throat for days. A weightlifting from me as I asked, but then the fear of his response settled in replacing it.
“It was necessary. Nothing more.” He explained and I felt my body go rigid, his words stung. Confirmation that I was nothing more than a toy for him to pickup and drop when he saw fit.
“So that is why you gave and took nothing in return?” I accused, my eyes stinging with unshed tears, as I stepped back only for Rhael to grip onto my wrist pulling me back and keeping me in place.
“That was intentional, attachment is weakness,” Rhael smiled, his hand finally moving, cupping my face in a move that almost felt loving, the first time he had willingly touched me, no other kings watching or listening. Only I could not let myself believe it was genuine, some part of my brain believed this must still be a game.
“I’m a weakness?” I questioned, my voice weaker than I would have wanted, a whisper that lingered between us as his hand held onto my skin, heat spreading from my wrist up to my shoulder.
“No, you are a complication I cannot afford,” he whispered, his hands lingering on my face, his fingers stroking my cheek in a way that was almost more intimate than having him between my thighs.
“Yet you still use me as a pawn in your games.” I sighed, looking up at him letting that mask I wore fall just once, his hand on my cheek, as I ached to touch him too. If I leant up just a centimetre we would be kissing, instead he leant down his face barely touching mine.
“You do as you are told,” he smirked, his lips brushing against mine, so close almost teasing and despite my words I found myself wanting to melt against him. In some kind of sick twisted need for him to dominate me, to make me submit under him in ways I had once promisedmyself I never would.
“After all of this you expect me to trust you?” I whispered my response, leaning even closer to him. Daring him to take him a step further.
“Yes,” he said, stepping back, withdrawing all contact leaving me standing there feeling cold and vulnerable. I tried to straighten my posture, pulling back on the mask as if his closeness hadn't impacted me.
“Truly?” I asked, pulling at the fabric of my dress. Trying to busy my hands.
“Yes,” he repeated, turning his back on me, a clear indication that the meeting was over and I was dismissed. Cursing him inside my mind I turned back on him, stomping my feet as I pushed open the door not even bothering to look at the guards who awaited me.
I needed space, peace and quiet away from the bastard who had turned my world upside down.
Chapter Sixteen
The day of the Dragon King's arrival I was sure I was going to lose my mind. Three days had passed filled with blurs of preparation, orders and sleepless nights.
Vaetharyn had become a hive of activity; everyone who did not know the truth was excited to meet their visiting neighbours.
That morning the castle was already alive before I had even opened my eyes, almost vibrating with the chaos.
Servants had been scurrying around the staircases, preparing guest rooms and linens, before the sun had even risen. It had meant my sleep had been more disturbed than I would have liked, but I could not blame them.
Penny had pushed her way into the room before I even had time to gather my thoughts, flanked by two other attendants that I did not recognise. I raised an eyebrow to her as they began fussing around the room, speaking little as they ushered me out of the bed and guided me towards the bath.
“You are expected to look perfect today. The additional help was seen as necessary.” Penny explained, almost to herself as she moved around the bathroom adding oils and salves to the running hot water.
