Page 36 of Vicious King

“You left early.”

What he really meant by that was ‘you didn’t share your girl or take part in fucking multiple other girls’.

I shrugged nonchalantly. “Yeah. It was our first party, so I figured we’d ease into it. I’ve also been working on my thesis, so I was pretty tired from that.”

“You know there are people who can do that for you,” he said sharply. “There’s really no reason a King should have to stoop to essay-writing.”

I snorted. “Maybe I actually want to learn. Yeah, it’s boring as fuck sometimes, but I’d rather pass on my own merit instead of cheating just because I have money.”

“Hm. I suppose that’s actually quite admirable.” He paused and cleared his throat. “I noticed Tatum wasn’t wearing a collar last night.”

Shit. He didn’t miss anything, did he?

I didn’t want Tatum to wear one of those slave collars. It would be hot as fuck to see her crawling toward me with one around her neck, sure, but at the same time I worried she’d revert to that terrible vacant state again if I pushed her too hard. So I had to wait. Take things slow. Let her get used to the idea of submitting to me in every way in her own time.

It wasn’t something I expected my father to understand, given his feelings toward her. He still hated her for what she’d done to our family, as far as I knew, so he’d be beyond pissed if he found out I didn’t hate her anymore.

I didn’t want to anger him like that. I was his only son; the only one who could carry on his legacy, as he constantly reminded me. He wanted me to be exactly like him. Even though I wasn’t, it was easier to lie and keep him happy rather than tell him the truth. What he didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.

Besides, the truth wouldn’t get me any closer to the third level.

I distracted him for a moment by firing my rifle at another target, and I came up with a decent bullshit explanation as the dark shards rained down on the patchy snow fifty yards away.

“I decided not to make her wear one. That way she’ll think she’s extra special. That I really care for her and feel something for her. She’ll eventually fall in love with me, thinking I’m on her side, and then I’ll pull the rug out from under her by telling her the truth: that I still hate her and she’ll never be anything more than a lowly slave to me. I can’t think of a better way to truly destroy someone. Can you?”

It was hard to believe that was actually my real plan once upon a time, back when I truly despised Tatum. Now, the thought of destroying her made me feel slightly ill.

I expected my father to look impressed, but instead he stared over at me with a disbelieving expression. “That’s not what she told me. I asked her last night, and she said she needed the collar altered because it didn’t fit.”

Fuck.As usual, he was one step ahead of me.

I couldn’t blame Tatum for telling the lie. She probably thought she was defending me. It was actually quite sweet.

“That’s where I got the idea,” I said, smoothly skating over the giant hole in my story. “It didn’t fit when I tried to put it on her, and I told her I’d get it fixed. She looked so grateful and happy to not have to wear it yet. It made me realize once and for all how much better it would be to destroy her if she was in love with me.”

Dad was silent for a moment. Then his lips curled up in a smile. He reached over and patted me on the back. “Couldn’t have thought of a better plan myself,” he said. “You really do take after me, don’t you?”

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He believed me.

He paused, then went on. “To be frank, I’ve had my doubts on occasion, but I suppose I always knew on some level that you have what it takes.”

“For what?”

His smile grew wider. “Your twenty-fourth birthday is coming up soon. Normally you wouldn’t be considered for the third level till after the date, but the council has decided to start the vetting process a bit earlier. That way, if you make it through, you’ll reach it on the day of your birthday, rather than a few weeks afterwards. That’d be something to celebrate, wouldn’t it?”

My eyes widened. I wasn’t expecting to hear that. “Shit, really?”

He smirked. “There are a few benefits to having a father on the council.”

“You’re not just on the council. You’re the fucking president,” I said with a snort. “And I thought you said you couldn’t give me any special consideration just because I’m your son.”

“Of course I said that. Had to keep you on your toes, didn’t I?” he said. “Couldn’t have you thinking you were a shoo-in and doing nothing to earn your place.”

“Right.” I pressed my lips into a thin line. I should’ve known he was screwing with me.

“This is a good lesson for you. Corruption and nepotism is everywhere in our world, even in places that claim to be above it.”

I scowled. “So that’s the only reason I was chosen for consideration?” I asked. “Because I’m a King?”

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