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“N o! No!” I yell instinctively. Lukene immediately releases me, sitting up to see what’s going on. “I am so sorry… I…” Reminding myself that I chose this, I want this, I explain. “I have a haunted past…” Clearing my throat, I continue. “I can’t be restrained like that during something like this.” My breathing calms as I realize I have ruined the whole mood, and I curse myself for it. I bring both hands to my eyes, pressing into the sockets before rubbing down my face.

“Never be sorry for the things that haunt you, Reign. Never.” He leans up and kisses my lips lightly, lovingly. Staring into my eyes, he says, “Let’s get some sleep.” He starts to pull away.

“No… I want you.” I beg, grabbing him and crashing my lips into his. He is my shade from the summer sun, the fresh air when I’m suffocating, the devil taunting me with wicked pleasures. He holds his weight above me, leaning down and devouring my mouth. He pulls away to look into my eyes, his skin practically burning with heat. I want to burn in it.

“What do you want, Reckless?” he says breathlessly, barely holding back. “Tell me what you like. What you want.”

“I… I don’t know what I like?” I admit, shrugging shyly.

He looks at me with questioning eyes, and then it seems to click how inexperienced I am. “Has anyone licked between your thighs, Reign?” A simple sinister glint dances in his gaze, and I revel in every second of it. I shake my head no, to which he grins.

“Well, that just won’t do… Let me have the honor and pleasure of being the first.” My heart is hammering away, desire and anticipation thicken the air as wetness pools between my legs, the spot between my thighs aching for attention.

Luke lowers himself and licks the length of my panties, barely grazing my aching center. His searing, wet tongue seeps through, warming my most intimate parts. He places his hands on the back of my thighs, lifting them and settling them on his shoulders.

His shadows rip my panties off until I lay completely bare to him. He lowers his face, licking the inside of my upper thigh and bringing his tongue up and across me, deliberately avoiding my clit as he reaches the other thigh. With each stroke, he comes closer, licking all around my aching center but not quite where I want him. It’s a slow type of tantalizing torture—the kind that makes me feel like I’m going to die but in the best way.

Finally, his tongue finds its mark. He circles my clit slowly—so slowly—before slipping it into his mouth. He begins to flick his tongue and suck at a rapid pace. My fingers tangle in his hair as I pull him into me. I’ve never felt something so amazing, so blissful. I can’t breathe; I can’t think. I don’t even know my own name at this point. All I know is him, me, his tongue, and the passion he gives me.

He drives a finger inside me while continuing his assault of pleasure. My pussy throbs with each suckle on my clit and push of his finger. My hips start to writhe as blissful tension begins to build up.

My breath hitches; my body tightens as waves of sensual delight rise, growing stronger with each passing second. My skin tingles as a fire spreads from deep within me, igniting every nerve ending. A deep, overwhelming pressure tightens, ready to make me snap.

Moans escape me as he slightly shakes his head back and forth, continuously licking me. The feeling is so incredible that I come completely undone. My legs shake as a heated wave of ecstasy courses through my body.

“Luke…” I gasp between lust-filled breaths.

“That’s it. Come for me, Reign.” His voice is deep and breathy as he says it against me, and I do, hard, as loud moans fill the air. Tension shatters into cascading ecstasy, my body arching off the bed. My mind blanks, everything fading except for the pure bliss taking over. I ride out the newfound gratification, slowly coming down from the high I’ve reached. I’ve never experienced such a release, and I’m so glad Lukene is the one to give it to me.

He sits up grinning, his chin glistening with the evidence of my climax. He leans over me, and I can feel his thick, large cock poking at my slick entrance. He kisses me deeply, and tasting my arousal on his tongue, I almost come undone again.

He leans back, breathless. “It’s time to sleep, my reckless Reign.” He flips to his side, pulling me close, holding me like I’m something precious. He kisses my neck lightly, then begins to rub my back until my sated self slips into the best sleep I’ve ever had.

* * *

Sunlight slices through the cracks in the window drapes, illuminating the all-black room. Sitting up, I notice I’m once again waking alone. Throwing the blankets off, I get up, dress, and draw the drapes. The sun is fully up, shining brightly across the kingdom. Deciding to lay back down for just a few more minutes, I turn toward the bed. Above it, hanging on the black wall, is a giant painting I didn’t notice last night.

It’s beautiful—a lavender field with a sun setting in the background, casting vibrant hues of purples, golds, and blues. A shooting star arcs across the canvas, reminiscent of the evening Lukene and I spent at the lavender fields.

“Do you like it?”

Gasping loudly, I turn to find Luke entering the room with breakfast. “Did I startle you, or are you just happy to see me?” He grins, a dimple appearing on his handsome cheek. I roll my eyes at him but can’t help the smile that caresses my face.

“Definitely glad you’re here, so maybe I can finally stab you!”

“Always so violent, Reckless.” He chuckles as he walks over to the table and sets the food down. “Come eat. We’ve been summoned to the throne room.”

Walking over to the table, I sit. Lukene fixes me a plate filled with fruits, oatmeal, and a chocolate pastry. He fills his plate with the same, adding bacon. As silly as it is, the fact that this man pays attention to what I like to eat and what I don’t is so romantically sweet, melting my heart. I never want to leave this room. I wish so badly he and I can stay here forever, like this. But this isn’t a fairytale, and I am a prisoner. Prisoners don’t get happy endings. I have to swallow the thoughts before I spiral too deeply.

“I love the painting. Is that from the evening we went to the field?” I ask, popping a piece of fruit into my mouth.

“It is. The memory will forever be engraved in my mind, just as you are… staining my thoughts permanently.” He gives me a smile, yet so many emotions swirl in his eyes as his mask slips. “I never want to forget it.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask, taking a bite of oatmeal.

He sighs heavily, as if trying to clear the weight of a continent off his shoulders. “Nothing. We just need to meet with my father and Vanna, so hurry and eat.” He stands, coming over to me, and delicately places his fingers under my chin, raising my face to meet his. Leaning down, he kisses me. The kiss is full of passion, desperation, worry, and fear. What is going on with him? He goes to walk away, but I grasp his large hand in mine. He turns back to look at me.

“I got you something. I meant to give it to you last night after the ball, but we…” My face heats at the thought of what we did. He grins like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. He still towers over my seated body, and I look down, feeling the kiss of embarrassment on my cheeks.

Lukene grabs my chin firmly, forcing me to meet his hungry gaze. “But we what, Reign?” I swallow, making a loud gulping sound. He lowers his face to mine. “But I devoured you instead… made you come in my mouth… Is that what you meant to say?” His thumb caresses my cheek.

“Yes,” I say almost breathlessly as I stand. “Give me one second, I’m going to grab it.” I exit the room, heading toward my own. I grab the ring, but when I leave my room, Kylo is standing at the end of the hall. He looks at me with wide eyes. I give him a shy smile, forgetting I am in a nightgown, and rush back to Lukene’s room.

He stands near his bed, admiring the painting of the lavender fields—the only touch of color in his entire muted black room. Walking over, I hand him the little box. “Here. I know it isn’t much, but I wanted to get it for you. If you don’t like it, I can always…”

“I love it,” he says as he takes the box.

A small chuckle escapes my lips. “Don’t you think you should open it first before deciding if you like it?”

“If it came from you, I already know I’ll love it.” He opens the tiny box, pulling out the onyx stone thumb ring. He places it on his left thumb and inspects it. The need to explain myself arises.

“I know you always wear that necklace… and the earrings you got me. Both are the same black stone, so I thought you would like it…” I say nervously. He stares at me for a long moment, and suddenly I feel a bit foolish.

“Reign… I love it. It was truly thoughtful. Thank you.” He grabs my hand and pulls it to his mouth, kissing it delicately.

He brings his hands up to his neck, removing the necklace. “Turn around.” I do as I’m told. He places the necklace around my neck, clasping it. I turn to look at him. “No matter what happens… I want you to keep this on and always remember last night. Remember… us…”

Dread hits my stomach like a ton of bricks. “Lukene, what aren’t you telling me?” My heart rate quickens.

“Come. We must see my father.”

* * *

The walk to the throne room is silent. Each step builds more dread, more worry. Nervousness coils in my stomach and wraps around my spine, making my legs tremble. We enter and stand before Vanna, the King, and, to my surprise, the queen. Come to think of it, I never see the queen, and I am surprised she is here. She looks sickly—malnourished and pale, as if her very life is being drained away.

“Reign, you have proven yourself, and now it’s time to learn why we held the trials,” the King says. I briefly glance at Lukene, but he has his eyes trained on his father. “We found out the kingdom of Armadon hasn’t had cursed roses for years. We aren’t sure how that is. They must have a cure for the curse,” he explains.

“It is said Prince Elliot is looking for a wife. We will offer you up as a sign of good faith to maintain peace between kingdoms,” Vanna states with a sinister smile. My stomach sinks at the words. “You will go there and woo him. Get him to tell you about the cure, if there is one. We had a reliable source tell us the curse hasn’t touched his lands for years. If you can’t get any information from him or convince him to marry you, then take him out. We will take over his kingdom and eventually find out what the cure is.”

My eyes widen. “As in kill him? Kill Prince Elliot, the most beloved and respected prince on the continent?”

Vanna shakes her head. The queen adds, “Armadon is the largest singular kingdom on the continent. They are a threat. We prefer to keep our enemies close. Learn everything you can. Get him to wed you, and if not… kill him. He will pose a challenge to taking Maduri, but not if we offer you up as a distant cousin.”

“If I assassinate him or even attempt to, I will most likely be caught and die…” I huff, starting to bounce my leg in an effort to release some tension.

“That is a chance we are willing to take. You are disposable. Keep your eyes and ears open. Learn everything you can about him and their kingdom,” Vanna says, drumming her fingers.

“What if a male won the trials? How would that have worked?” I ask.

“Prince Elliot’s little sister, Sarah, is also looking for a spouse. We had it covered either way,” the King replies.

“Reign, you are dismissed. Go pack. Lukene, stay. We must talk,” the King adds.

Without looking at Lukene, I bow to the King and leave the throne room, heading to my bedchamber. Why didn’t Lukene tell me this? I feel betrayed. He knew this all along. Why make me fall for him? My head spins from the news. Either I marry the prince or attempt to assassinate him. Whether I succeed or fail, I’ll likely die. Thoughts race through my mind, causing panic to bubble in my stomach. Be married off for the second time in my life or face death. I can’t breathe as the weight of my situation settles on my shoulders. I’ve never felt so small, so insignificant.

When I reach my room, I grab the door handle noticing the ink etched in my skin: 7296. I really am just property for others to control, use as they want, and discard. Sighing, I enter the room where Sasha is already packing my things for the trip to Armadon.