Page 27 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

I stared at his reflection in the dark window, waiting.

Determination crept into his gaze before he took my hair, twisting it away from my neck.

His fingertips grazed over my skin, as gently as the stroke of a feather, but it was enough for heat to awaken in my core.

Time slowed, and my breath misted the window as I watched, fascinated by our reflection.

His head dipped. His nose touched the side of my neck, and I inhaled sharply, letting him pull me closer until our bodies touched.

‘Do you like that, little Viper?’ His husky voice vibrated against my skin, his thick beard teasing me.

I wanted to say no, but that would’ve been a lie.

Instead, my pleading gaze traced his movements as the king’s muscles flexed, his body tense behind me.

His free hand grabbed the windowsill next to mine, thumb caressing my knuckles, while he breathed in again.

A long, pained groan reverberated in his throat while the glass reflected the golden glow that flashed dangerously in his eye.

‘Your Majesty, what’s . . .’ I asked breathlessly, desperate to put some barrier between us, even if they were just words.

My body softened in his hands, surrendering the moment his hand tightened in my hair.

A low rumbling sound escaped him while I fought to stay still, to resist the dangerous allure of his pure, absolute control.

I could see his need, his desire, yet his touch remained gentle.

When our eyes met in the window, goosebumps prickled over my skin.

‘Call me Rey,’ he whispered in my ear, his breath caressing my sensitive skin. I felt like prey staring into the golden gaze of a wolf, unable to avert my eyes, hypnotised by the danger. ‘Call me Rey, Sanika,’ he commanded, his fingers shifting to encircle my throat.

I shivered at the raw emotion in the endearment. Sanika was the name for the first blush of dawn while night still reigned in the sky. A hope that darkness would pass and Zorya, the heavenly maiden, would open the sky and allow the sun to rise.

My mind raced as I prayed he wouldn’t notice how much he was affecting me.

‘Rey, please . . .’ I muttered.

He released the windowsill and wrapped his arm around me, crushing me to his chest.

‘I like my name on your lips, and I fucking hate myself for it,’ he said. A tremor ran through his body as if he were battling a monster for control.

Despite being trapped against Reynard’s chest, my instincts told me he would never succumb, that I was safe in his embrace. For the longest time, we stood like statues until he eventually closed his eyes.

A knock on the door startled us both.

‘Fuck,’ he grumbled, finally pulling away while I called for the visitor to enter, happy to not be alone. A servant walked in with a tray, her face draining of colour when she noticed Reynard by the window.

‘I’m so sorry, sire. The guard told me the lady was awake, but he didn’t mention a visitor. She hasn’t eaten since morning, so I thought . . .’ she stuttered.

‘Good. Make sure you look after her,’ he said, not even looking at the poor girl. ‘But right now, leave us.’

The nightstand wobbled when he knocked against it, the infuriating man turning his back on me as he grabbed the wine bottle and drained it dry in a few deep gulps.

‘Will you at least tell me why you were sniffing me?’ I asked cautiously, still shaken by the entire experience.

‘I had my reasons,’ came the curt, controlled answer. Reynard gestured to the tray. ‘Eat and rest. Tomorrow, my healer will examine you.’

‘Why? What now?’ I stepped towards him, but he put his hand out, stopping me. ‘Is this another hoop to jump through before you let me go? How many times must I prove I’m on your side?’

The bastard looked me dead in the eye and laughed as if my question was a joke.

‘As many times as needed,’ he said, and I realised the horrible truth.

Reynard Erenhart had no plans to let me go.

‘You can’t keep me here forever—’

‘I can do whatever I want, Viper, but I’m not a cruel man, just .

. . cautious. I’ll have Riordan interrogate you as soon as he’s back.

Until then, indulge me. The Brotherhood’s records confirm your childhood story, and Boyan was ready to swear a blood oath that you haven’t come here to end me.

However, there’s still many questions that need answering. ’

‘What questions? Whether I prefer death by blade or poison?’ I snapped, annoyed by the obstacles he kept placing before me, the pleasure his touch had awakened now replaced by righteous anger.

‘You assume I’m giving you a choice. I am no longer seeking your death . . . Maybe I never was,’ he said, a hint of wistfulness in his voice.

‘So, you’d rather let the Brotherhood fall than take a risk and let me go? I need to go back before the situation worsens. Could you please just listen to what I’m saying for a change?’ I said through clenched teeth, doing my best not to shout.

‘I’m listening, but there is too much at stake to take your word at face value, no matter how pretty it is.

’ His tone was so bitter that I frowned.

‘Since the end of the war, there have been five assassination attempts on me, and countless schemes to remove me from the throne. One attempt was by a guard I had trained and trusted with my life. Do you know what it taught me?’

‘That everyone has a price?’ I asked, resigned. He wasn’t wrong. Everyone had a price, though often, it wasn’t money but the life of someone they cherished that forced people to perform despicable deeds. ‘Did you ever ask him why he did it?’

‘No. He was dead the moment he drew a blade on me,’ Reynard answered. ‘But I learned that danger rarely comes with a warning, that even the most trusted friend can betray you for the right price.’

‘Then maybe he didn’t have a choice? Maybe he traded your life for someone he loved?’

‘Everybody has a choice, Sana. Just like I chose to spare your life after you tried to murder me.’ He turned towards me. ‘It takes more than a day to earn my trust, and you’re facing the consequences of your actions, so stop complaining that the world isn’t catering to your wishes.’

‘Gods, how could you have won a war when you are so blind to what’s in front of you?’

‘I wasn’t half-blind during the war . . . that’s entirely on you,’ he said, his demeanour growing colder the longer I argued. ‘Now, that’s enough, Roksana. This isn’t a negotiation. Just do as I say.’

It took all my patience not to grab the pitcher of water and smash it over his head. I was beside myself. I’d thought we were making progress, but now it felt like he’d cheated in a game with rules I didn’t understand.

‘Fine, I’ll see your healer, the truthseeker, let you sniff me like a bloodhound—if you promise to let me go.’

He smirked, reaching for the door. ‘I would never make promises I can’t keep.’

‘You bloody bastard, I trusted you!’

He paused, turning his head just enough to meet my gaze, his expression hardening. ‘Yes, but that doesn’t mean I trust you .’

That was the final straw. I grabbed the pitcher and hurled it at him with every ounce of strength I had. The damn man ducked, and my poorly aimed missile smashed against the guard’s breastplate. My victim looked at me with such hostility that I shrank back.

Reynard’s eyes flicked between the soaked guard and me, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. His voice was smooth and perfectly calm when he said, ‘Please don’t demolish your room, Roksana. Unless you want to move into my bedroom? I’m sure you remember the way.’

My mouth fell open, confounded by his words.

Reynard bowed and slowly closed the door—while I wondered why the man who claimed he hated me was acting like he wanted me between his sheets.