Page 4 of Dust to Dust

"I've found you a wife." He flatly stated. His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I knew my father would arrange my marriage. My cousin Dash suffered the same fate. However, Dash and Mila loved each other. My heart could never be given. I gave it away to Elsa when we were kids, and now Nova.

"No thoughts?" My father taunted.

I shrugged, knowing that this marriage he planned would never work. Not because my father's plans failed but because the brotherhood would soon take over. My father would be wiped from this earth along with his plans. I clenched my jaw to hide my eager excitement. Soon the prince was going to kill the king.

My father exhaled and lost some of his fierce presence. I looked him in the eye finally. In front of me, I saw a man holding the world's ruling power. However, my father was no longer the ruthless lion he once was. He looked exhausted. A heavyweight bore down on his shoulders, and my gut told me it wasn't merely the fact that someone had just killed his brother in front of him.

"Do you remember when I told you and your cousins that myself and your uncles had made many sacrifices for you boys?"

"Yes, father." I spat. His statement was a joke. My father never sacrificed anything for me. He used me, his flesh and blood, as a pawn to gain more power and control.

"I know you abhor me, son, but trust me; you know nothing of hate. Like you, I detested my father." He rubbed his jaw, "I don't want history to continue to repeat. I did something long ago to protect you. I saved someone for you."

My right hand gripped my left wrist, which was still tucked behind my back. I needed to let my father continue to speak. As hard as it was to listen to his lies, there were hints of the truth laced between his words.

"Your new wife is going to be Elsa Stepanov."

I cocked my head, "What did you just say?" I knew Elsa was alive, but my father should not know that!

"Elsa. That girl you attached yourself to long ago. She is alive and attending your school." He pushed back in his chair, "But you knew that, didn't you, son?"

It took every ounce of my training to remain frozen. I was like an iceberg floating in the hot waters. My father wanted a reaction, a physical one. It was almost as if my father wanted me to kill him at this very moment. It was that fact that made me refrain.

My father ran his tongue over his teeth. “I'll explain.”

"I have a feeling we are long past explaining, father." I hissed. I felt the weight of every concealed weapon on me. Which one would I choose right now to end him...

"I knew you cared for the girl.” My father rolled his eyes, “Once I knew she was alive, I watched out for her."

“You. Watched. Out. For. Her?" I questioned. "Did you know she was in prison?"

"Yes." He answered right away. "I had a man watching her. I didn't tell you because you didn't deserve her then, and neither did she deserve you. You both needed to pass your trials. Be happy.” My father waved his hand. “I called you here because I am not the only one that knows. I'm helping you." He offered.

"You never offer help."

"Time changes."

I eyed him, wondering what he was up to. My mind raced to connect this new information with the knowledge I had. "Why didn't Elsa’s uncle reach out to you after her parents were killed? The company belonged to her." I questioned.

"You've found a lot." My father raised a brow. "Her uncle, Igor Stepanov, is a very greedy man. Thus the reason I called you here today."

I shook my head, unclasped my hands, and placed my palms on the desk. "You didn't answer my questions." I was a fuse that had been lit. The fire was racing toward my core, begging for me to explode.

"Patience, son. We don't always get all the answers at once. You have more pressing matters at the moment. Like the bidding to buy your wife's hand in marriage."

"Stay away from her.” I warned as I leaned forward.

"Her uncle is trying to sell her off. He sent me an invitation to buy her hand. I'm not the only buyer he has reached out to."

A beast clawed inside of me, breaking my skin as it tore forth. It wanted blood. The blood of Igor Stepanov. The man who took the fallen angel whose wings had been cut off. He broke Elsa. He took my angel and caged her, keeping her hidden in hell. Now he was selling her off! I would hunt him down and make him suffer. I'd take Anders with me. Yes, Anders would be perfect. My brother had a desire for torturing people with an ax.

My father stood, "I will not apologize for how I have raised you, son. You’ll be happy to know I have secured her hand. Her uncle believed we would make a partnership with him. You can handle him as you see fit. Consider this my parting gift." Dad rounded his desk and exited his office. I was left to wonder how big the game board that Lucas King controlled was.

Chapter 4

The past…

When you see the boy of your dreams, you tend to overthink everything.Does my breath smell? Heck, do I smell? Will he think my hair looks frizzy? Are my boobs big enough? What does he like about me? Why me? Why does Titan Jules King, like me, not only the hottest but the wealthiest guy in school?

---