Page 39 of When Kings Rise

As we move beyond the foyer, the facade of the old school continues to unravel, revealing its true purpose. The presence of regular offices makes this place almost seem mundane.

That is, until we step into Wolf’s office. It’s such a large, yet inviting room. The warmth radiates from a fire that has been kept lit for a while now. Off to the left is paned glass, hiding another room, but I can’t make it out. The chill from walking across the courtyard starts to ease.

“There are things I know that could upset the ruling governments of most of the world powers,” he states, a grim seriousness etching his features as he sits behind an old and oversized desk. He points at the chair in front of his desk for me to take.

My curiosity piques. “What kind of things?” I ask, not sure I'm ready for the answer.

“Disgusting, sinful things, Amira,” he replies, his gaze fixed on a point somewhere beyond my head.

The gravity of his words sends a shiver down my spine, a realization of the depth and darkness of the secrets Wolf harbors. It's a reminder of the world I'm stepping into and also a reminder that I shouldn’t be here.

He rises, and I’m surprised when he holds a hand up for me to stay seated. “Wait here.”

I sit in the warm room and wonder where he has gone. It’s not long before I get up, unease rippling through my system.

After what feels like an eternity, Wolf re-enters his expression unreadable. “What's going on?” I ask.

“I’m going to allow you to see me work,” he answers, a cryptic smile playing at the edges of his lips.

He guides me to another door, this one secure with both analog and digital locks. Once through, we enter a room that stands in stark contrast to everything I've seen thus far.

“The sex training room,” he states calmly, like that statement alone shouldn’t have me running back to the safety of the manor.

He directs me to a chair in the corner of the room and tells me to wait. “I have this feelingyou would like to see my work.”

I can’t answer. I’m curious what a sex training room is. Maybe I could learn something to use on Diarmuid to gain the upper hand. I know Wolf won’t touch me—it’s forbidden—so I nod and wait to see what he wants to show me.

“Have you seen anyone else arriving here?” he asks all of a sudden.

I shake my head. “No.”

“At least a dozen people have seen you. This place has lots of secrets and a lot of protection, too. It has to.”

The far door opens before I can respond or decipherwhat his words could mean.A young woman enters.

Wolf smiles kindly at the woman and signals her to approach him with two fingers.

She does with a bowed head. The dressing gown she wears covers her body, but I don’t think she wears anything underneath it.

“The Dukes and Kings of the Hand of the Kings prefer virgins. But I know a woman has greater value if she has some experience.” I sit up straighter.

He leads the woman to a chair, but before she sits down, she strips off her gown. Beneath it, she is naked like I thought.

Wolf stands behind her, his gaze never leaving mine. He runs both his hands down across her breasts and squeezes her nipples lightly. The woman’s face is covered with her long, loose hair, and I want to see her eyes. But I don’t dare speak as Wolf continues to play with her breasts. His strokes aren’t gentle, and redness starts to grow along the skin from his constant grabbing. He’s watching me as he rolls her nipples between his fingers and pulls them outward. I lick my lips, and he grins before he moves around her and kneels at her feet.

“It is my job to teach women how to be the best lovers possible before I marry them off or sell them.” He states and spreads the woman’s legs, revealing her private area. I’m surprised to see she has no pubic hair. I’m wondering if it’s something Wolf prefers, or if the woman did it herself.

I have so many questions, like why wasn’t I trained? Or what does he mean to sell them off? But the words are cut off as he runs his large hands up her thighs and spreads her legs as far as the chair will allow. He’s left enough room so I can see as he slips a finger inside the woman, and she groans in pleasure. My stomach dances with butterflies. I’m back to looking at the woman’s face, but I can’t see with all the hair hanging loose.

“I want to see her eyes.” I find the words.

He smiles with delight and reaches up, grabbing a bunch of her hair to yank her head back. Her oval face has creamy, flawless skin, her lips are slightly parted, and her bottom lip is large. Her white teeth are stark against her pink lips. She’s very pretty. Would Diarmuid prefer her more than me? An unyielding anger has me wanting to hurt her, but I stay in my seat. Wolf slips another finger inside the woman. This time, his movements are harsh, and the woman hisses in what sounds like pain, and that makes me smile. He doesn’t think she is prettier than me. He wouldn’t dare touch me like that; it reminds me of my worth. I’m so much more than these whores.

When I meet Wolf’s gaze, he smiles back at me. “Does this turn you on?” he asks as he continues to plow his fingers into the woman. He keeps a tight grip on her hair, never allowing it to cover her face, keeping the curtain back so I can watch the show.

“Yes,” I whisper.

He nods. “There is no shame in that. You can learn by watching, but you can touch yourself if you wish.”

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