Page 69 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

Reynard

I carefully lowered Roksana onto the bed and sat beside her, unsure, hesitant. She looked so fragile, curled in the foetal position, conscious but quiet and withdrawn as her tears silently fell.

‘Sanika, tell me what to do. How can I make it better?’

She didn’t respond at first, not until I moved to get her some water. Her hand darted out towards mine, grasping it with a strength that contradicted her defeated appearance.

‘Stay . . . I need you here.’ Her voice, hoarse from screaming, tore something inside me. I’d never wanted anything so much as I wanted to raze the entire court to the ground.

‘I’m not going anywhere,’ I said softly, stroking her hair. ‘But let me bring you some honey water. You’ll feel better if you drink something.’

Sana nodded, releasing me, but when I returned to her side, she was half asleep. Still, she needed to drink, and muttering encouragement, I urged her to take a sip.

‘The memory of you was the only one that didn’t hurt.

’ The words were wisps on the wind, yet they hit me like an avalanche.

The clink of the glass sounded like a bell tolling when I placed the cup on the bedside table.

I turned towards her, swallowing hard when my gaze met the green inferno of her power blazing within her eyes.

‘We’ll make more memories, so they can protect you when I’m not by your side.

’ I reached out to smooth the frown between her drawn brows.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know they’d make you go through this without me .

. .’ I said, wondering if I’d ever forgive myself.

‘I should have been there.’ Sana didn’t answer, but her hand gently squeezed mine, and I lifted it to my lips.

‘Sleep, my light. You need it. I’ll be here when you wake. ’

I meant every word. Hammering against those bloody doors while listening to her screams made me realise I couldn’t be without her.

That if she’d died, Dagome would have lost another king to madness.

Roksana had given her geas to me and the kingdom, and I’d given her my heart in exchange.

I just hoped she was ready and willing to accept it.

Roksana’s breathing evened out, but I still stroked her back.

The slow, languid movement relaxed her tense muscles until her mouth opened slightly, and she fell into a deep, healing sleep.

Only then did I move and ask a servant to bring the captain of the guards to me.

After a few curt commands, I had soldiers guarding the door and someone retrieving the documents I’d left on my desk.

I persuaded Riordan to placate the mages who were less than pleased by the military within their walls. I didn’t know how long her recovery would take, but I was prepared to stay by her side as long as it took, even if that meant governing the country from Sana’s bedside.

Roksana didn’t move or say a word for an entire day. I continued working on my daily tasks, taking breaks to relay commands to awaiting soldiers before sitting beside her, ensuring she was warm and coaxing her to drink small sips of water each time she woke.

As the sun set, I stopped writing to sit beside her again. Maybe it was the gentle glow of the fading light, but the dark shadows under her eyes seemed less visible. I trailed my finger over her cheek, and she sighed, her eyes opening ever so slightly, her gaze more focused than before.

‘Welcome back, little Viper,’ I said, smiling when her eyebrow arched. Sana seemed to be more aware, and that little change made me sigh in relief. The only thing that didn’t match her recovery was the bloodstained chemise.

I opened the door and asked the soldier to fetch some female maidservants, requesting fresh clothing for Sana. The man saluted, rushing to fulfil my order, and half an hour later, two female healers stood in the door looking like they wanted to be anywhere else but here.

‘Good evening, sire. The arch healer sent us to help with your . . . I mean, Lady Roksana,’ the taller one said.

I gestured them in. ‘Thank you. I’ll leave you to help her wash and . . . go to the privy,’ I said, raising my eyebrow when the younger girl giggled. ‘Is there a problem?’

‘No, it’s just that men rarely think of such things,’ she said.

I smiled. ‘I’m used to seeing issues from every angle.’ I stood up and took a few letters from the desk. ‘I’ll go to the garden. Just open the window and call for me once you’re done.’

The garden welcomed me with the rustling of leaves and an evening frost that painted the tree trunks in every shade of grey.

The slight chill in the air sent a shiver down my spine, but I welcomed the refreshing breeze.

The bench directly beneath Sana’s window was perfect for keeping an eye on the room, even if all I could see were shadows moving behind the curtains.

With a deep sigh, I delved into the letters.

Most required only brief answers or decisions that didn’t weigh on my conscience or cause a strain on the kingdom.

Later, putting the letters down, I sat on the bench for a moment longer, watching as my breath misted the air while I thought about how to handle the discontent when I announced my choice of bride.

I knew the nobles would oppose it as soon as they realised their daughters wouldn’t be sitting on the throne, and my thoughts briefly drifted to Inga Tivala, my almost betrothed.

What am I going to do about the Winter Solstice Ball?

I’d briefly considered calling it off, but it was the perfect opportunity to gather all the old families under one roof and determine who truly supported me as king. Introducing Roksana as my chosen could be the catalyst to gauging the reactions of those who’d only used me as a tool to win the war.

‘If she agrees,’ I muttered to myself. As much as this strategy would benefit me, I wouldn’t use her, not without her knowledge. ‘Well, the only way to find out is to ask.’

The shadows in the window disappeared, and a short while later, a mage gestured for me to return. With the night drawing in, I gathered the rest of my paperwork and headed inside.

Sana looked so much better. Her remaining cuts were healed, and with the blood scrubbed away, her skin glowed. I sat on the bed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

‘I thought you’d left,’ she said, and I huffed in denial.

‘As if I could leave. I need to stay by your side or who knows what might happen next time,’ I quipped. She frowned, and a hint of anger flashed in her gaze, but it quickly dispersed when I grinned. ‘Didn’t you hear? There’s a madman trying to knock down the walls.’

‘You’re impossible,’ she said, and I loved the eye roll and the blush that tinted her pale cheeks.

‘And you are the most treasured woman in this kingdom. Tell me what you need, and I’ll see it done. Should I call for Liliana? Tova?’ I asked. As much as I wanted to be the person by her side, what she wanted mattered most.

Her eyes narrowed on me. It was a strangely vulnerable look, one that made me feel unsettled. I wanted to wrap my arms around her, tell her that the fear of losing her had driven me insane. That she had taken my heart with her to that damned chamber and that I was lost without her smile.

‘May I hold your hand?’ Her quiet voice broke through my stream of thought.

‘You already hold my heart, Viper. My hand is all yours.’

A soft chuckle escaped her lips, and I congratulated myself on the little victory, even more when her dainty fingers entwined with mine.

‘Did Tova give you lessons in smooth talk?’ she said. ‘You’re too suave for your own good.’

‘Tova? Oh no, Lady Roksana. It is pure admiration and natural talent. Besides, as king, it is my duty to welcome you to the ranks of Crown mages and provide for your every need,’ I responded, placing a hand on my chest and bowing gallantly.

Her lips twitched, and warmth spread in my chest when she turned away to hide her smile.

‘If that’s how this works, then you’ll be very busy during the Winter Solstice when the other mages go through their geas trials,’ she said, and I realised my blunder.

I was out of my depth. My experience with women was limited to lust or politics.

In my time as lord marshal of a disgraced military, they came to my bed expecting to be fucked by a brutal, cunning beast, not for banter or charming words.

When I became king, it was even worse. But in a way, I was happy that they’d come and gone, never occupying my mind for longer than it took to remember their names.

Sana had turned my world on its axis, making me regret never learning how to care for a woman. Orm, despite the wild magic roaring in his blood, was so much better at showing affection. Still, thinking of my brother and the surprising way he’d gained his mates gave me an idea.

‘May I lie beside you?’ I asked hesitantly, and her eyes brightened, the corner of her lips lifting a little.

‘Should I expect you to share a bed with every Crown mage?’ she teased, shifting slightly to make space for me. ‘I don’t think I’d like that.’

‘No. You see, only a vivamancer can enter the king’s bedroom. We kings should have some standards, you know,’ I answered with a wink, pleased at the blush that painted her cheeks. Its colour deepened when I whispered in her ear, ‘There will be no one else but you, Viper.’

The bed creaked when I changed position to lay my head on the pillows, but as I moved, I gathered Sana into my arms, pulling her closer until her head lay on my chest. She sighed, wrapping herself around me, and the world finally felt right.

‘Your heart is racing,’ she said, her ear on my chest while her hand tapped the rhythm on my skin.

‘I’m a man in bed with a beautiful woman. Cut me some slack.’ I laughed, acutely aware of her proximity and my body’s response.

Her eyebrow lifted, but she didn’t pull away. ‘Oh, is that so?’

‘Yes, it’s that simple.’ I buried my face in her hair and inhaled deeply. ‘Standing in front of those fucking doors, knowing you were in pain . . . I’ve never been so scared in my life—and I’ve faced the Lich King’s army.’

She nestled in closer, her hand drawing circles on my chest—slow, mesmerising movements that made my muscles tense. I watched, fascinated, as her hand continued down my abdomen, fingers playing with my belt, so close to my bulging hardness that I struggled to breathe.

This mischievous woman knew what she was doing. If the smile that teased the corner of her mouth wasn’t proof enough, her hands were.

‘Rey . . . did you mean it when you said you’re all mine?’ she asked.

I groaned when her hand drifted upwards to tug the laces of my shirt loose, one after another.

‘Every word, my light. Feel free to explore,’ I said, proud of how casual my voice sounded when all I wanted was to growl my frustration at her moving away from my shaft.

Still, if she wanted to touch me, I’d endure her teasing, afraid that a random sound, one badly-placed word, would spoil the moment.

It wasn’t my first time with a woman, but the anticipation rising with every stroke of her dainty hand made me feel like it was.

My body was taut with need for her. Pent-up desire burned through my veins, urging me to take action.

I hadn’t felt like this for years, and I didn’t want it to end.

I wondered if I should shift and capture her lips; they were so close that if I turned my head, I could kiss her.

No, that isn’t why I asked to stay. What bastard thinks with his cock when the woman he loves has just been tortured? I scolded myself, acutely aware she’d snuggled so close to me that there was no gap between her body and mine.

Sana’s hand slid under my shirt, fingers playing with my old scars in the most exquisite of torments. I forced myself to think about military rations and dwarven petitions just to stay in control, wanting so much more but fearing to ask.

‘What else is included in this royal treatment?’ she murmured against my skin, lips brushing my neck as her hands slipped even lower.

‘Whatever you want, Viper,’ I groaned, my hands nearly tearing the sheets when her teeth grazed my skin.

‘How noble of you, rescuing a damsel in distress, then letting her do what she wants,’ she said, straightening slowly, dragging a single nail down my chest until it reached my belt. Her gaze met mine—and whatever she saw there made her smile. ‘Don’t move, Your Majesty.’

‘Fuck, Viper . . . yes. ’ My voice broke on a groan. ‘I’ll be as noble as you want, grant you every indulgence, but have mercy, I’m just a man—’ A guttural sound escaped me as she pressed her hand over my cock, squeezing it through my breeches. ‘Sana, please . . . more.’

Her pure, bubbly laugh lit my soul even as my hips bucked, body arching, desperate for more of her touch. But when I reached for her, she stopped me with a hand to my chest.

‘No?’ The word rasped out of me, tangled in confusion.

She was the one guiding this— why push me away?

I searched her face for an answer, fighting for control, trying to understand.

Maybe this wasn’t the time. Maybe I’d misread something.

I grasped a shard of my sanity and forced myself to be still.

‘Rey, I . . . I was helpless, so bloody helpless. I-I want . . . I need . . .’ She was as lost as I was, but her stuttered words gave me the strength to stop, to yield to her needs.

My Viper could have all the damn power she wanted.

If it helped her forget the geas trial, I would let her tie me to the bed and use me as she pleased.

‘I understand, my light.’ I smiled, easing back and placing my hands above my head in surrender. ‘I’m at your mercy. Touch me, little Viper. All is yours to take.’

And as her eyes darkened, hungry and hesitant, I knew my torment was only just beginning.