Page 6

Annalise

T onight, I dine with the king of the beasts. For most beasts, it would be an honor to be in the presence of the king. But for me, the closer the hour gets, the more frightened I become. I’ve never had a formal dinner with Cyrus. In the past, I was a slave, either serving him at dinner or in his chambers in the late hours of the night, resulting in him giving me his spread.

Tonight, however, I am formally dining with him alone. Not secretly in his chambers after he’s taken my body, but in the dining hall of Felix’s estate. Alone. I don’t know why Cyrus would want to dine with me, especially after the way he left me only days ago. His threat plays in my head day after day, increasing the anxiousness I feel. Thankfully, he has avoided me since that day in the bath, forbidding me from leaving the confines of my room.

But tonight, that avoidance ends. And so begins whatever new path I have set us on.

When I was last at Felix’s estate, things between Cyrus and me were shifting. He had given me his seal and permission to use his name, a privilege he revoked the moment he encountered me again. He had also repeated his compliment of how nobility would suit me. His words of praise gave me hope that I could somehow claw myself out of the shitty situation I was in. It is what drove me when I entered the hunters’ camp to free his father. And it is what fueled my plan to lead Cyrus to the king’s stronghold.

I let my guard down and paid the price dearly.

A light knock sounds and the servant brushing my hair gently places the hairbrush on the vanity before making her way to the door. My eyes remain on my reflection in the mirror. I hardly recognize myself. My skin isn’t covered with dirt, and my hair is glossy and pulled in an elaborate half updo. I haven’t seen my reflection in a long time. It’s a luxury only afforded to nobility. In my time across the sea I only ever saw myself reflected in a puddle or the small hand mirror I purchased for myself. I only had it for a week or two before Ciel broke it. But my reflection never looked like this.

“Annalise, it’s time.” I tense as Dimitri’s voice sounds in the doorway.

When I turn to face him, my anger returns. He’s dressed in lavish fabrics, and his pale hair is pushed out of his face as he silently waits for me. Everything about him makes me want to scream. He has completely immersed himself in this life, leaving me to suffer. But as much as I want to lash out, I know I can’t.

This is a test. It’s always a test.

I suck in a deep breath, pushing down my anger as I rise to follow Dimitri out of the room.

Dimitri doesn’t speak as we make our way through the elaborate halls of Felix’s estate. The walls are dimly lit, but I can still make out the portraits of Felix’s family members, each of them with looks as cruel as Felix’s in their gaze. I silently look away from the portraits to focus on Dimitri. We both despise one another for different reasons. Dimitri warned me he would never betray Felix when I tried to run on our way to the hunters. And he proved just how deep that loyalty runs by helping Cyrus track me down.

My throat burns to tell him just how low he’s fallen, but I can’t. Not with Cyrus’s threat lingering fresh in my mind.

“The only thing keeping you alive at this very moment is the child you gave birth to.”

After his strange transformation, I believe him. It almost reminded me of his father. When the human king tortured him, his body tried to do the same thing but couldn’t. Cyrus, however, was losing himself to anger as his form began to shift. I always thought being a beast meant unimaginable speed and strength. No one ever took the time to explain exactly why they are called beasts. And as I recall, the first time Cyrus and I ever encountered one another, he vanished into thin air. Being a beast seems to be more than I originally conjured from my thoughts.

It would also explain why Cyrus was so enraged that I ran away, knowing I would give birth to a beast.

The sound of a baby’s giggles penetrates my thoughts as we round the corner. My attention falls to the large double doors that lead into the dining hall, just as more giggles sound. My eyes widen and my feet are moving past Dimitri as tears burn my eyes. My hands are inches from pulling open the doors when Dimitri roughly grips my wrist, pulling me back. My emotions are uncontrollable as I whip around with my fist, ready to punch him in the jaw. He catches my attack easily, his gaze narrowed.

“I’m only looking out for you. Don’t act on impulse. Don’t you think it’s convenient you’re hearing your son after weeks of being separated?” Dimitri murmurs.

I grit my teeth, trying my best to understand what he’s saying to me. He’s warning me. I know that. And part of me also knows he is right. But I have not seen Ciel in a month. I have endured Cyrus’s anger and torture in silence, and finally, my son’s presence is just beyond those doors. I just need to see him.

I flinch as Dimitri’s grip tightens.

“Anna, please. He will kill you if you step out of line. He will,” Dimitri says, pleading with me in a low voice.

I yank my fist from his grip, narrowing my gaze.

“I told you not to call me that,” I snap.

The doors open just as I finish my sentence, revealing Cyrus. He stands intimidatingly over us, his eyes shifting between us as he assesses the situation.

“Causing more trouble?” he asks.

I tense, lowering my hand as I step away from Dimitri. Both of us bow before the intimidating presence of the king, but I am the first to speak.

“I apologize, Your Majesty,” I say softly.

Cyrus is silent for a moment before a light scoff fills the air. He ignores me, shifting his attention to Dimitri.

“Felix is waiting for you in his study,” he says.

I hear Dimitri give his thanks before the sound of his retreating footsteps echoes off the walls. Cyrus is silent for a moment, but I know his gaze is on me as he debates how to proceed.

“Come,” he says.

I release a shaky breath, thankful nothing else came from him witnessing me and Dimitri’s spat. As I follow him into the dining hall, I slightly raise my gaze to take in my surroundings. The servants stand silently, waiting to serve their king, and I note that there are more near the doors we entered as the sound of them closing reverberates off the walls.

The sound of Ciel’s excited squeal pulls my attention. I look up to see a servant passing him off to Cyrus. He looks so much smaller in Cyrus’s arms as he chews on his small fist, eyeing me. My heart beats wildly in my chest as I fight my instincts, Dimitri’s warning pounding against my skull. Cyrus’s gaze studies me intensely as I war with myself, fighting tears.

Ciel seems completely at ease in Cyrus’s arms, something I was not expecting. Since he was born, Ciel has not been a fan of other people. Everyone I hired to babysit him while I worked in the market had issues with him. He never truly calmed down until he was back in my arms. But he hasn’t so much as cried in Cyrus’s arms.

Cyrus chuckles, pulling my attention.

“You look distraught. Has your separation from him during travel really upset you that much?” he asks.

Cyrus turns away from me before I can answer, moving to give him to one of the servants.

“You can’t be serious,” I say hastily.

I reach for Ciel, pulling my hand back when Cyrus looks at me with a narrowed gaze. Usually, it would be enough to frighten me in submission. But it does nothing while Ciel sits only a few feet from me in his arms. I open my mouth, only to close it again. I don’t know what to say to convince Cyrus to let me hold him.

“Please,” I whisper.

I don’t know what else to say at this moment. Cyrus watches me for a moment before turning back to the servant. He gently pushes Ciel's hair away from his forehead, placing a kiss on him before the servant takes Ciel out of his arms. She begins walking away with him, and the last shred of control I have disappears.

“No, you’re not—Ah!” I cry out in pain as Cyrus roughly grips my wrist, holding me flush against him.

“And what is your brilliant plan this time? Taking him from her? She is naturally stronger than you. And if you somehow managed to get him, what would you then, huh? Escape the estate with guards at every door, including the gate, and an entire region you know nothing about? Think , Annalise,“ he growls.

I keep my eyes trained on Ciel until the servant has left the room. Cyrus roughly jostles me, forcing my gaze to meet his.

“Sit. Down.” Cyrus’s pupils dilate furiously as he once again fights for control. I immediately lower my gaze, gently pulling my hand from his grip as I comply.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” I murmur.

I make my way to the waiting seat at the table to await my punishment. I am shocked when Cyrus does the same right next to me at the head of the table, gesturing to the servants. He keeps his eyes on me as they set the table and fill the glasses.

Cyrus lifts his cup once it’s filled with wine, eyeing the liquid. He takes a small sip before speaking.

“You once cried to me about the joys of being engaged to that halfbreed and the prospect of starting a family with him,” he chuckles, “And now you cry about being separated from the child I gave you.”

I try and look away but Cyrus captures my chin with his fingers, forcing me to look into his eyes as he speaks.

“Do you not resent him for what he is? For how he came to be?” he asks.

Genuine horror assaults me, and I vigorously shake my head.

“I could never resent him. He’s my life,” I say truthfully.

Cyrus continues to study me intensely until he finally releases my chin, just as the servants complete each of their individual tasks.

“Leave us,” he says.

His voice echoes over the room, and all of the servants bow to leave.

I was once one of them. I always felt relief when we were finally dismissed. That meant there were no more chances of incurring the king’s wrath. That is until he began to request my presence in his chambers every night.

Cyrus takes another sip of his wine, his eyes remaining on me. He gestures to my cup.

“Drink,” he says.

I eye the glass, looking back at him.

“It’s too strong, isn’t it?” I ask.

Cyrus’s gaze darkens.

“I said, drink,” he says.

My fingers are trembling as I pull the glass to my lips, taking a small sip. The wine is sweet on my tongue, leaving a pleasant tingle as it slips down my throat.

Cyrus eyes the trembling of my hand, laughing aloud.

“You look like you’re going to pass out from fear. I don’t see why you would ever run if you were this frightened of being caught,” he says.

His gaze shifts to the glass, and he motions for me to drink again, so I bring it to my lips before responding.

“I thought the weapon was enough to kill you. News of your death traveled fast, and I took precautions just in case,” I say.

“And why would you possibly think a weapon like that could kill me?” he asks.

“I watched it kill your father,” I whisper.

Cyrus eyes me silently but doesn’t respond, so I continue.

“I knew your world was created based on strength, and your father was the king before you. It killed him, and in turn, I thought it would do the same to you. I had no reason to believe otherwise,” I say.

After a moment, Cyrus gestures to my cup, and I take another sip. The effects of the wine have already settled in, giving me a pleasant buzz.

“You are a selfish human. Had I died, the beast kingdom would have plummeted into chaos. There would be no one to control the mass of primal creatures I rule. And there would be no one to spare humans. You left your kind to suffer the consequences… and suffer they have,” he says, chuckling as he downs the rest of his drink.

His gaze is vicious as he studies me. Usually, at this point in our conversation, I would know to keep my mouth shut. But the wine has left me unbridled by fear.

“It was never my intention to save the human race… I only wanted to survive,” I say.

Tears form as I study my glass.

“I only ever wanted to save one person,” I say.

Cyrus scoffs in irritation. “Don’t cry for him. His life turned out much better than it would have if he remained by your side.”

Silence washes over the room as I try and staunch my tears, failing miserably.

“I just want Ciel back,” I whisper.

I tense when I feel Cyrus’s hand under mine, my gaze meeting his. He watches me intensely as he brings my hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss along my knuckles. I shiver from the warmth of the contact.

“You will see him. You will watch him from afar. You will watch him grow, but you will never hold him. You will see him learn, but you will never speak to him. I will make you suffer the way you made me suffer, Annalise. This I swear to you,” he says.

I yank my hand from his grasp, standing.

I find myself fighting with my instincts as Dimitri’s warning screams at me.

He’s testing me. He’s testing me.

“You’re cruel,” I snap.

Cyrus laughs, standing as well, towering over me. His looming presence is enough to make me shiver, and I immediately notice the darkness pouring from his skin. It’s the same as when we were in his tent.

“I am the king. I rule this world. I own everything in it, especially you,“ he says.

He steps closer to me, and my eyes widen as I take in the darkness seeping from him. I blink rapidly, not sure if it’s the alcohol or if this is truly happening, but the room suddenly feels cold, and I’m finding it difficult to remain upright. I immediately step back, but Cyrus continues his path until he backs me into the wall. His hands come up roughly, ripping my dress down the middle, stopping at my waist.

His gaze dips as his fingers lightly trace over the healed mark. My chest heaves heavily as I try and catch my breath, but with Cyrus so close and so cold, I can barely stay conscious.

“I own you. You carry my mark, Annalise. I’ve sealed my ownership into the flesh of your body. You had no right to leave my kingdom. You have no right to question me or my decisions. The very air you breathe is because of my mercy. You have no rights, “ he says.

A gasp of pain leaves my lips as the seal radiates, and heat strikes my body.

“Ah,” I cry out, trying to place my hand over it, but Cyrus has me in his grip, pinning my arms above my head. His eyes are fully dilated now as the seal burns me.

“What are you going to do now? How are you going to stop the pain I inflict using my seal?” he asks with a vicious smile.

“Tell me,” he purrs.

I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head. I can’t seem to form a sentence.

“That’s right, you can’t,” he laughs.

Cyrus roughly throws me to the ground, the pain of the seal slowly disappearing. I keep my head down as he stands over me, holding my hands over my breasts.

“Come. We are going to have dinner, and I am going to fuck you until the sun comes up,” he growls out.

He roughly grips my chin, lifting my gaze to meet his.

“And I will show you what true cruelty is.”