Page 58 of King of the Unsightly

I looked down at the needle, and the enormous size caught me off guard and I gasped.

The fact that it only took one look to sober me up immediately terrified the heck out of me.

“Okay. Okay. Okay. Do it. Do it now,” I said before all my confidence left my body. I scrunched my face, purposely avoiding his moving hands. The needle poked through my skin, and I threw my head back. “FUCK. Couldn’t you warn me?”

The needle weaved in and out of my wrist as the thread dragged behind it. My head spun as the queasiness of the needle puncturing my skin over and over again made me want to throw up or pass out, I couldn’t tell which one.

Kaschel mumbledAlmost doneas he yanked on the thread.

I yelped, reacting to the tinge of pain.

I wanted to smack the living hell out of this man as his lip twitched when he finished tying the knot.

Kaschel leaned away and grabbed the gauze from the dresser, all without letting go of my hand.

“Why are you so accustomed to this? It doesn’t seem typical for a royal.”

He wrapped my freshly stitched skin, not lifting his concentration to meet my curious gaze. “I have many enemies who wish to see me falter. Showing weakness was a luxury I could not afford. Flaws got you killed. So, concealing injuries is mere child’s play.”

“Oh . . .”

“Are you feeling pity for me now, little flea? I’d have to advise you that stroking my ego would be a much more effective way into my pants. I am a fae full of vanity after all,” he said mockingly as he tipped his head back; his eyes shimmered in the dim lighting as they wandered down to my lips.

“And you’re deflecting.” My mouth curved into a grin. “Have you become easier to read, or have you lowered your guard? Both would be gross errors on your part. You should start worrying about your lapse of judgment, old man.”

“Are you threatening me?” His smile intensified, exposing his puckish disposition as he leaned closer, his chest slightly pressed against mine. His head tilted sideways as he attentively watched my lips. “How presumptive of you. Maybe ... I find your reactions amusing.” He moved his hand to my cheek, brushed my bottom lip, and placed a strand of hair behind my ear. “Do you wish to find out if I'm easy?”

I almost lost my breath when his rough hand caressed my skin but we had been here before.

He was either testing or teasing me.

He wouldn’t play me for a sap again.

I turned my cheek and pried Kaschel’s hand away.

We locked eyes as I leaned more into his body. “Thank you for stitching me up but”—I looked down at his full lips and lowered my head to his ear so he could feel my breath against his skin and rested one hand on his shoulder—“I think we’re done here.”

Kaschel didn’t really want me, nor did I want him to.

He wanted to toy with me like everyone else in my life, and I was done playing the fool.

Two could play this dangerous game.

Sweet Nothings

Kaschel held my stare with an impassive expression as the room reflected in his light, amethyst eyes.

He heard every thud of my heart pound violently against my chest as the room fell mute around us—except for our shallow breathing and my foolish, backstabbing heart.

When neither one of us backed down, I could have sworn time stopped.

I sucked in one traitorous breath and bit down on my bottom lip, noticing how dangerously close his were to mine.

Kaschel inclined his head as one of his hands moved closer to my hip.

I was already losing this game, and we barely started.

I almost pressed my lips to his when memories of Jared caressing my body flickered through my mind like strobe lights—all his sweet nothingswhispered by freshly swollen lips he had stolen from another.

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