Page 63 of A Kingdom of Pleasure and Torment

I love Luthian. Standing on this precipice of betrayal, I know I can’t step off it. I want to hurt Luthian because I am hurt. But I can’t end his life over something as trivial as unreturned affection.

My mind whirls. Arcus trusts me enough to be alone with him. No guards, no dragons, naked and vulnerable in my arms. He would have me as his queen. Luthian and I didn’t plan it that way, but it could still help us, without betraying him.

“Because,” I gasp on a sob that Arcus will believe because he wants to. “I am a lowly human. I’m fortunate that Luthian can overlook such a thing.”

“There is nothing to overlook, Cenere,” Arcus vows. “You are more perfect than any faery.”

“But could your courtiers overlook such a thing?” I shake my head. “I know I’ve impressed them with my displays. The mermaids, for example—”

“Mermaids?” Arcus laughs. “I would have liked to see that.”

I fake a tremulous smile. “I want to belong at court. If I am queen, will they resent me?”

“They will see you as I do.” He pushes my hair behind my ear. “Because I will command it.”

He knows nothing of ruling, I realize. To him, the title is power, the power absolute.

It will come as a shock when he’s assassinated.

“There is...more.” This is where I alter our plans. Luthian will simply have to trust my judgment.

“Tell me,” Arcus urges.

“My stepfather. He’s a faery, like my mother was. I believe he murdered her. When Luthian found me weeping on my mother’s grave, he promised me I would have my revenge.” I force another burst of tears to my eyes. “That was months ago, and yet Cadwyn Thrace lives.”

“And that is what binds you to Luthian?” Understanding flashes across Arcus’s face.

I nod fervently. “I want Thrace to answer for his crimes. I want to have my revenge upon him, and Luthian promised that I could. Yet, he’s made no move. His motivation ever since we were mated has been gaining entry to your court. It worked, but... I fear he will never make good on his promise.”

Arcus can. Even without a crown upon my head, I know Arcus will deliver Thrace to me in chains. And I’ve seen his lust for violence, for cruelty. He’ll revel in my vengeance.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of Luthian’s faithlessness,” Arcus growls. “As queen, you will have all the power you need to set your retribution in motion. You owe Luthian nothing. I’ll see him banished from court—”

“No!” I cry. “Not before I am your queen.”

He smiles down at me. “You wish to be my queen?”

“Do I wish to spend my days and nights with you? Enjoying all the pleasures of your court?” At this, I take his shaft in my hand. The water aids me in a silken glide as I pump him. “Do I wish to fall asleep with our bodies joined? Wake to be ravished every sunup? Are these the things you’re promising me?”

His kiss is a punishment and a vow, all at once. He lifts me up to penetrate me, sliding me slowly down his length. I shudder and moan accordingly.

“I promise you the world, Cenere,” he groans against my throat, lifting me to thrust in again. “I would give you all of Fablemere, if you asked. Simply say the word, and you will rule at my side.”

“Yes,” I whimper, and clutch around him. “Yes. I will be your queen.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

We return to the palace at nightfall, and I am escorted to Luthian’s house by the sylph guards. I asked Arcus to keep silent about our engagement until it’s publicly announced, for fear that Luthian might spirit me away. Arcus agreed but warned that the announcement will come soon.

Back in the house, free of the sylphs, I lean against the door and take a few deep breaths. Then, I rush to Luthian’s study. When I don’t find him there, I try the library. Finally, I venture to his bedroom.

I’m about to knock when I remember that he may not be without company. I brace myself to find him with Firo, and rap my knuckles against the wood.

“Enter.”

I step inside and find Luthian thankfully alone. He’s in his dressing gown, lounging in a chair before the fire, reading. He looks up, his expression lighting with interest. “How did it go?”

“Better than we could possibly have expected,” I tell him, and hurry to kneel in front of him. “Arcus is going to make me his queen.”

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