Page 59 of Cruel Crown

“Let’s go. We’re wasting time.”

She watched with amusement as I adjusted my dick and then followed after her. She looked around when we came to a dead end and pulled a chandelier, and a hall opened up.

“There are tunnels everywhere, but not everyone knows about them,” she explained as we went into one of them. It was chilly, dark, with no light inside. Daphne pulled out a small flashlight that illuminated the way. It looked old and like they kept more secrets I ought to know.

I saw a set of stairs up ahead. Before we could move, I took off my jacket and draped it over Daphne’s shoulders.

She looked at the jacket like it was going to set her on fire.

“Come on,” I said so she wouldn’t say shit.

She took a moment but followed after me.

“You don’t know where we’re going,” she said.

“Tell me what’s going on?” I asked, hoping it didn’t sound demanding. For every ten questions, I’d only gotten one answered. I wanted it to come freely from her before I made her because that shit would only piss me off.

I asked something simpler. “Who tapped the door?”

“One of my spies,” she said.

We made it to the top of the stairs as she took a turn.

“No offense, Petal, but I didn’t think you had many friends.”

“To take Damian’s throne, I need to start a war,” she said, and I nodded because I knew this. “You can’t win a war without allies. Most of the elites are Damian’s and won’t be swayed. I have maybe one-third of them.”

The fact that none of them stepped in while she was being whipped angered me. “Where were they when you needed them?”

“They are forbidden from talking to me here. Just passing by is okay but nothing that would seem as if we know each other. If Damian doesn’t know they are my allies, he won’t go after them. And what Damian doesn’t know, he cannot fear.”

“Have I told you how horny you make me when you strategize?”

She glared at me. “You’re not coming anywhere near me anytime soon.”

I chuckled and followed after her as she opened a door. We were across the castle in the highest tower. I could feel the elevation. There was a hallway that ran on top of the tunnel but curved in a different direction. In front of us was a door.

Daphne pushed it open, and it went with ease. Right away, there were alarms blazing in my head.

“Whose room is this?” I asked, grabbing her by the hips before she took a step inside.

“Alexis,” she replied.

“I thought that was your grandfather’s name?”

“No, his name is Erik.”

“Are you supposed to be here?”

“Damian has access to this tower blocked off.”

“Yeah, fuck that, Petal. That was too easy. I’m not letting you go in there.”

Daphne started to buck, trying to get away from me.

“Petal,” I warned. “The door wasn’t fucking locked. I don’t want to walk in and watch you get your brains blown off.”

Daphne

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