Page 157

He takes a step forward, his eyes bright, his gaze ensnared.

“There … aren’t words,” he breathes, his vendetta forgotten. He shakes his head wondrously. “In all my years I have never beheld one such as yourself.” He takes another step forward. “Why should my son receive such a prize from the gods, but not me?”

A moment ago I was a slave. Now I am a prize. Always an object to be possessed.

I close my eyes, even as the former Night King begins to murmur promises about the future. “When I am king again, you could still live here … The Thief is not to touch this kingdom … You could be one of my concubines … I would make you my favorite … You would have everything you ever wanted …”

The only thing I ever wanted isgone.

Teach me again how to be someone’s nightmare, I’d asked Des.

My power ripples over my skin.

With pleasure, mate.

I open my eyes.

“Kneel,” I command.

Galleghar doesn’t even have it in him to glare at me. I hold his very mind in the palm of my hand; what rules him now isdesire.

I scowl at the former Night King. This is the seed of evil that started it all. Had it not been for Galleghar’s selfishness, the entire fabric of this world’s history would have been different. Des’s mother might still be alive, along with his half-siblings. Des might’ve been raised in a castle rather than a cave. He might have had a great life.

We might never have met, and he might never have died before his time.

The horrible thing about true love is that I would eraseusif it meant keeping him alive.

Slowly, I diminish my glamour. I don’t want Galleghar to mindlessly enjoy what I’m doing to him, I want it to bother him very, very badly.

Within seconds, the former king’s expression goes from lustful to confused to furious.

“Youbitch,” he snarls.

“Ah, ah,” I chastise him. “The next time you say or do anything unflattering about me—or anyone else for that matter—I will make you eat your tongue.Literally.”

I reach out to caress Galleghar’s cheek.

Ours to taste, ours to break.

He lifts his bound hands, presumably to push mine away.

“No.” I say. “You won’t fight me, you won’t flee. You will sit here, answer my questions, and let me touch you as I please.”

His hands drop, even as he curls his upper lip. Galleghar has so much power—I can sense it vibrating within him—and yet against me it’s utterly useless.

I stroke his cheekbone. “You’re very pretty,” I say, “in a cruel sort of way. Too bad the rest of you is useless.” I grab him by his lower jaw and tilt his head back and forth, assessing him from different angles. “Then again, perhaps Icanfind some use for you. Now that my mate’s gone, there’s nothing stopping me from starting my own harem.”

I lean closer. “You would be my concubine. I should warn you,ifyou were in my harem, there are many things I would ask of you that you may not be comfortable with. Sirens are known to enjoy both sex and blood. Idohope you’re not squeamish.”

I smile a little at the hate in his eyes. I doubt he’s ever had someone turn his own tricks back on him.

Releasing his jaw, I say, “Relax, asshole, I wouldneverbe intimate with you.”

Enough toying with him.

I straighten. “I want to pay the Thief of Souls a personal visit. How do I get to him?”

Galleghar laughs. “You’d have to die first.”