Page 41 of King of the Unsightly

His black shirt and pants molded to his body perfectly. His pecs practically burst out of it as the indents of every muscle couldn’t be hidden by mere fabric. The flickering candlelight illuminated his light features as his hair radiated like starlight.

His face was too relaxed for someone who had no control over his precious keys.

God, I craved wiping the condescending look right off his face and throwing the nearest object at him—which happened to be the protein bar. “Could you not offer me any better alternatives? You are magical, are you not?”

Kaschel chuckled. “Glamour and magic are one in the same but also entirely different.”

“All right, Gandalf, can your glamour change this crusty protein bar?”

Kaschel cocked an eyebrow, debating on whether to entertain my question. He flicked his wrist, and a black shadow cast from him shot across the room and devoured the protein bar, transforming it into a beef dip; my mouth watered instantly.

I bit down and it dried my whole mouth—its rough texture assaulting my tongue like I took a nibble out of sandpaper. My face pinched into a sour expression. I glanced down and it was the same protein bar Kaschel had thrown at me.

I shot a glare at him and Kaschel winked. The bastard actually had the audacity to wink!

Kaschel tipped his head slightly, wearing that stupid face full of vanity. “I warned you, did I not?” he asked and took a bite of bread.

I swore, I might jump over this couch and give him a piece of my mind. And if I died from this dry-ass protein bar getting stuck in my throat I’d haunt the living shit out of him to the point it broke his soul—if he even had one.

“Ah, so you’re nothing but a glorified magician. Noted,” I grumbled between bites.

A deep chuckle reverberated through the walls, and I snapped my head back to Kaschel, dying in a fit of laughter.

My face scrunched into scowl, peeved he found my anguish amusing. “How mature of you, faery man. Are you laughing at my sad excuse for a meal while you eat like a plump, arrogant king sitting on his high horse?”

“You forgot guilefully sitting on his high horse. I have schemes you are unaware of.” Kaschel perked up one eyebrow.

I crossed my arms. So Kaschel had jokes? “What a contradiction. I think you’re more ignorant than anything else.” I enunciated the wordignorant.

Kaschel shrugged. “What’s wrong with being a contradiction?” he asked as he proceeded to take a long sip from the chalice.

“You’re either one or the other. How can you be cunning and so haughty? I’m sure that awful personality of yours would get in the way of your critical thinking. I mean, people like you tend to overestimate themselves and underestimate others.”

Kaschel chuckled again in defiance. “Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Doesn’t imply I can’t be cunning. Maybe mine is my ego. I am a fae after all. I quite enjoy playing games if the mood is right.” Kaschel’s eyes carried a mischievous glimmer as they danced in the low light.

Did I want to ask what type of games he was referring to? Hell no. So I averted my gaze and choked down the dry protein bar.

A thunderous knock on the door startled me upright. My soul left and came back as my heartbeat settled back down.

“Come in.” Kaschel, unfazed by the abrupt knock, took another swig of his drink.

The Scàths

Amuscular man stepped through the door wearing loose gray slacks and a cream tunic with black boots. His sharp features set me back; his dark complexion was a striking contrast to his short, silver hair. His sharp features were similar to Kaschel’s but his eyes held a darker hue.

The devilish smirk suited the man as he glanced at me and back at Kaschel. “I see you’ve changed your kink preferences since the last time I saw you. Were the sirens too clingy? I figured you’d be more worried about your throne than tossing around some half-breed, but then again, you always were a wild card.” The man shrugged his shoulders and each muscle in his chest flexed with him.

Kaschel’s lip jerked upward. The amusement in his expression—brief but indelible. He set his tray to the side with all his attention on his drink as he swirled it between his fingers.

Kaschel didn’t take his sight off the chalice as his words grew thicker than the wine he drank. “I don’t relish digging up past mistakes. Those were dark times, Levisus. It seems everyone is trying to test my patience.”

Levisus places his hands on his chest, a spark of enmity in his face. “To the previous Unseelie King? I would never be so bold, my lord.”

Kaschel chuckled with so much insincerity my body tensed up. “Drop the formalities and bullshit.” Kaschel uncrossed his legs, leaned farther back against the headboard, and took another sip. “You know what I need.”

Levisus stalked around the room like a predator and circled closer toward me than Kaschel. He appeared more intimidated by Kaschel, which was understandable. My aura didn’t actually scream,I could kick your six-foot-four fae ass—no matter how much I glowered at him.

Didn’t Kaschel say they were friends? Why was the tension so palpable?

---