Page 44 of To Bleed A Kingdom

“Asshole,” Amara mutters.

“Of course, you can,” Aurora says with a strained smile, pointing towards the curtains. “Head to the front and you'll see an archway on the right. That's where I stock the nicer items.”

I try to return her smile, but I'm sure it comes off more as a grimace. “Thanks, Aurora.” I toss my leg over the bench, refusing to look at Dariusas I pass by. As I draw back the curtain, I search for the bond that connects me to him, the bond I'm now sure more than ever is only a hallucination, and realize it no longer feels like a euphoric tether, but a weighty chain.

Chapter 9

Darius

“She won't be spreading her legs for you anytime soon,” Amara says in a flat tone. “If ever.”

Without a doubt.

Aware of my vulnerabilities to Lena’s charms, I promised myself I wouldn't allow her presence to cloud my judgment any longer. With Griffin’s ominous prediction and remembering how strange and secretive she and her companions are, I can't allow lust or attraction to blind me to the threat they may pose. No matter how intense that attraction may be.

But all promises were tossed aside the moment I spotted her straddling that bench. All I could think about was stripping her bare for her to straddle me just the same. Legs locked around my waist. Black rippled tresses draped over my chest. Pillowy red lips moaning my name. My hands warmed at the thought of squeezing her plump ass as I bounce her dripping cunt down on my cock.

Utterly transfixed, I saw nothing but her. Until I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of Amara twirling a dagger. Libido doused at the sight, I tore my gaze from Lena’s to the view of all these unknowns armed in the presence of my sister. How easy would it be for one of them to grab a knife and plunge it into her chest? Not difficult at all, given the situation. I wouldn't have noticed, and I doubt Iwould’ve reacted in time.

Lena’s effect on me is all-consuming and deeply unsettling. I hadn’t even spoken a word to her and she had already managed to suck me in with those bewitching eyes, the world disappearing for all but the two of us. For someone who’s unused to blundering, I’m furious at myself for failing so miserably.

Dragging my gaze from the swaying curtains, I turn to face the others, only to meetAmara’s cold glare. One ankle crossed over the other, she leans a hip against the table while dragging the tip of a dagger across her palm, eyeing me as if she wishes to gut me with it.

“Did I say I wanted to spread her legs?” I bark, both of us well aware I'm full of shit.

She scoffs, tapping the flat side of the blade to her temple. “I've got eyes, don't I?”

Aurora shoves my shoulder, drawing my gaze to her. “Go apologize.”

“For what?” I ask, purposely obtuse.

Hovering behind Aurora – a little too close for my liking – Tristan folds his arms over his chest and arches a single brow. “For being a dick.”

Stepping forward, I slowly lower my head over Aurora’s shoulder, staring him dead in the eyes. “I wasn't a dick.”

Tristan’s eyes flash in response, a thunder roiling within as he meets my challenging stare with one of his own.

Try it, cocksucker.

Meeting Lena, dealing with Ajax, all the drama with Jareth, and now this? It's too much. My mind has been an unmanageable frenzy of chaos, darting from one heightened emotion to the next for too long without reprieve, and I'm a hair's breadth away from snapping. My desperation for control pleads for a release that'll level me out, but that can only be achieved in one of two ways: Fucking or fighting. Since the only person I want to fuck is Lena and that’s out of the question, a fight it is. Based on Tristan's expression, he's in need of one himself.

A shot of excitement shoots through my veins when I meet his hostile gaze that all but guarantees a dirty brawl. He’s human, and normally I wouldn't entertain the idea, but the volatility roiling within me makes me consider an exception.

I’ll just rein it in a bit.

But before I can lift so much as a finger, Aurora slaps her hands to my chest and shoves me back, expunging all thoughts of a fight in an instant. “You called her daft.”

“It was an honest mistake.”

Disliking my answer, Aurora plants her fists on her hips, skewering me with the same evil-eyed glare that forced me to confess all my deepest, darkest secrets as a child.

Born a half-breed, everyone assumed my human blood would dilute my immortal one, ignorantly believing my power would be weakened and therefore, I'd be an easy target. So, they challenged me and I answered. I fought, I bled, and I dominated every motherfucker who thought they could stand against me. Earning my rank through blood, sweat, and tears, my reputation of ruthless brutality was cemented with every victory, and whispers quickly spread of the merciless Gods Wrath. I took no part in fabricating the title, but I thrived under the potent moniker.

I was relentless and vicious, and as I aged, my power became more absolute, indomitable. For no one could stand against me. Anyone who dared is either dead or wishes they were.Which is why when I say there's not much in this world that scares me, it's the truth. But seeing my sister pissed off at me like she is at the moment? Well, she's a bit frightening, to say the least. Aurora may look small and meek,but beneath that mask of sweetness, she's a crazy bitch.

“Maybe, but you didn't need toinsult her,” Aurora retorts, poking me in between my pecs. “Go. Apologize.”

There comes a time in every male's life when he realizes if he ever wants to keep his balls, he can’t fold to every demand brought to him by the females in his life. With how loathsome the idea of apologizing to Lena is, it seems that time for me is now.

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