Page 87

Story: Destined Desires

A flush surged through her body and she stumbled a step. The hard, no-nonsense gleam in his magnificent green eyes as he stalked toward her. The concern that etched a line over his brow.Herfiancé.

Then another gorgeous male ripped him away from her before she could reach him. Before she could touch him and maybe, just maybe, lure him back.

The trio—that wretched bitchhadto be there—disappeared before she could stop them. Disappeared!

But not soon enough.

Herperfectfiancé had fucked up.

Kate stepped into the grand parlor of this awesome newworld. She hadn’t yet grown tired of the awe-striking décor, architecture, richness. She stood surrounded by more gold than she could ever imagine. More jewels and marble and wealth. This world—Faery?—continuously poured warm breezes and sweet, floral fragrances throughout the corridors and rooms. It was something out of the best dream, from the exquisite meals to the god-like men who could please a woman like no one else to the richness of the fabrics.

And yet, despite the amount of pleasure she’d found in the arms of Daeanna’s chosen consorts, she itched and ached for only one man.

Bryce.

No matter how much sexual energy poured off Daeanna, how much her mere presence made Kate ache for pleasure, her mind latched onto her end goal. Her priority.

Bryce.

Her stunningly beautiful, leather-clad dark angel.

Kate knocked the side of her head a few times with the heel of her palm, trying to keep her thoughts clear.

“Enough, Kate. You’ve nothing to worry about. He’ll be yours again,” she said under her breath. The damn idea of him with that other woman, that Rihanna chick, infuriated her. Jealousy raged, untamed.Shewas the one he loved.Shewas the one he treasured. She would get himback!

Kate reached the bedroom Daeanna had assigned to her. Thank God, because every time she walked into that other room with Daeanna’s father hovering in a fire cage, a dagger protruding from his chest…

Well, yeah. It didn’t sit well with her.

That the woman could do that to her own father.

The electric presence of the evil woman caressed her back, causing Kate’s shoulders to stiffen. “Mayhap you needanother man to take your mind off Bryce and relieve the weight of your burden until you have him back.”

Men. Oh, that sounded so nice. So…desirable.

No.

She batted at the allure of such a promise, understanding exactly what that woman suggested. She’d known. Somehow, she’d become a whore for Fae men to do with as they wanted. Sure, she experienced her own pleasure, but that wasn’t part of the deal.

And the Fae woman wouldn’t allow Kate another night with Thaddeus…

Kate blinked several times, trying to keep the desire at bay. Her back tensed, and slowly, she turned to face the very woman who placed her in this predicament. The devious woman who manipulated her to go along with a drawn-out plan that required ridiculous actions from her.

And where had it gotten her?

Seeing her fiancé on the arm on that fucking woman who had no right—

“Ahh, aye. A little more fun.”

Kate spun around, pinpointing the sultry woman leaning against the golden archway carved with intricate Celtic designs leading into her room. That wickedly alluring smile and the burning glow of her eyes tried to unhinge Kate. She felt the strange sensation of magic—she’d finally figured out what it was, that subtle prickle beneath her skin—and remained conscious of its movement as it slithered and coiled through her body.

Daeanna sauntered across the room, her steps so graceful she appeared to float on air. The silk sheath she wore fluttered and curled around her lithe body. To look at her, one would imagine her to be warm.

Kate suppressed the urge to scowl.

This creature was cold. Ice fucking cold. Subfreezing cold.

Her understanding of Daeanna’s power didn’t help the tremble she’d always evoked in Kate, even if she’d learned how to keep it hidden. The egotistical narcissistic psycho craved attention. Craved fear. Craved control. Kate may have given that to her before, but she was learning, slowly and carefully, how to play the game.