Page 130 of Kingly Bitten

“I did.”

“That’s not very diplomatic of you.”

“Ryder.”

“What? You’re supposed to be king now, preach diplomacy and all that shit, yeah? Or have you rethought your approach to leadership?”

“Stop stalling.”

“Oh, I’m not stalling. I’m genuinely curious as to how calm and cool King Jace lost his head. Wait, no, allow me to rephrase. I’m genuinely curious as to what caused calm and cool King Jace to lop off a head. Yes. That’s what I meant.”

I rolled my eyes. “Always so chatty.”

“Now who’s stalling?”

“Lajos snapped myErosita’sneck. I returned the favor by severing his.”

True shock registered on Ryder’s features, followed by understanding. “Well. That’s an intriguing development.” His fingers appeared again and disappeared after another moment. “Nicely done. I approve. Want to compare it to my handiwork?”

Finally. “Please.”

The entire room appeared to be stuck in a state of confused surprise, no one daring to move. Not even Jasmine. Although, she did appear a bit green.

“You all might want to record this,” I called. “I’ll be asking you to share Lilith’s verdict shortly.” Since it was about to be leaked regardless.

Ryder didn’t comment, just started whistling as he walked down the familiar hallway of the penthouse in his inherited tower.

Then he made a show of opening Damien’s door.

And continued through the room while whistling a tune I now recognized as an old rock song.Another one bites the dust, I hummed along in my head, smirking at his sick humor.

He did a little shuffle as he approached the door securing the walk-in fridge and bobbed his head along to the beat.

Leave it to Ryder to be a showman.

I just shook my head and let him have his moment. He whistled a few more beats, then flipped the camera toward his hand as he gripped the handle to open the door.

“Lilith, darling, we have company,” he said, panning upward to display her holding her head in her lap. Benita was next to her, partially frozen but still alive. Damien hadn’t finished punishing her for what she’d done to his little mouse.

Yet another reason to change the name of the man beside me.

“Smile,” Ryder cooed. “I know how much you love being on film.”

“Oh. My. God.” Jasmine’s voice echoed off the walls.

“I believe she preferredGoddess,” Ryder replied casually. Then he walked over to bend down near her head and nodded. “Yes. She still does. Of course, she’s a very dead Goddess. Personally, I think it’s a much better look on her.”

“I agree,” Darius called out.

Murmurs erupted in the room as the reality of the situation began to settle into their minds.

The initial shock had rendered them all speechless.

Now it seemed they were taking my comment to heart and snapping photos and videos.

“How’s my angle?” Ryder asked, tilting his device back to flash a grin next to Lilith’s head. It was a morbid-as-fuck selfie but certainly conveyed the point. “I want to make sure I’m displaying my best features here.”

“You look amazing,” I deadpanned.