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It’s the man from my dreams.

The slitted pupils of his golden eyes expand as he takes me in.

“Youarequite beautiful,” he says. “I can see why the Lord of Secrets has taken you for his mate.

“But you are painfully weak,” he continues. “What a vulnerability. He should know better.”

“Who are you?” I ask, my voice ethereal.

“My manners!” He bows. “I’m Karnon, King of Fauna, Master of Animals, Lord of the Wild Heart, and King of Claws and Talons.”

TheKing of Fauna? The mad king?

Fuckity fuck, that’s not good.

He straightens, splaying his arms out to display the room around him. “Welcome to my kingdom.”

I glance around at the room—bedroom, I amend. The place is covered in furs. Thick wood and ivory furniture is scattered throughout the room, each piece intricately carved, though none are so impressive as the staggering headboard on his bed. A hunting scene is carved into the wood, embellished with bits of ivory, mother-of-pearl, semi-precious stones, and flecks of gold.

A bed for a king.

Out of all the rooms to meet him in, this is the one he chooses. Also not good.

I tear my eyes away from the massive bed to look at Karnon, who’s studying me with a small smile, his eyes narrowed.

His eyes dance at the sound of my hypnotic voice. He leans in close, his antlers nearly touching me. “I already have a casket picked out for you. A special coffin for a special lady. We’ll deliver you right to your mate’s feet.”

He knows Des and I are mates?

Karnon’s finger hooks over the low neck of my dress. “I wonder if it will break him to see his love like that—still as death and holding another man’s baby. Will he kill it? Keep it? Oh the possibilities …” He runs the backs of his fingers over my chest. I notice that blood’s dried into the creases of his hand.

I swallow at the sight. So far he’s only been a bit eccentric, but I have no doubt that at any moment he could snap.

“I’ve never been with a human woman,” he continues. He lowers his voice. “In the Kingdom of Fauna it’s taboo to sleep with a slave. You earthly beasts are so dirty. But you are pleasing enough to look at.” His eyes run over me. “Yes, quite pleasing. I’m eager to see the rest of you.”

Jesus.

No one will ever hurt us like before, my siren promises.He will pay.

The King of Fauna tilts his head. “Perhaps we should begin now?”

Before I have time to react, he grabs my jaw. Looking me in the eye, he leans in and presses his lips to mine.

It’s not a kiss. Not in the truest sense. Instead, he forces my mouth open, then exhales.

A rush of magic is forced down my throat, tasting like rot. I struggle against him even as my knees begin to buckle.

His arm comes around my waist, holding me up as he continues to breathe into me.

I try to bring my knee up to his crotch, but my leg only comes up inches before the shackles around my ankles jerk tight.

Karnon doesn’t even notice.

My chained arms are trapped between us.

Completely immobilized.

As a last ditch effort, I jerk my head away, then head butt the King of Fauna. He staggers back, placing a hand to his forehead.