Page 25 of Beyond the Darkness

“I’d like to start off by saying congratulations to our new citizens of Korth for surviving all three of my games. They haveproven their worth for their place here in my kingdom,” Azazel’s voice called out to the room. A soft sound of applause began and a few people even whistled. The people who had hated them were now cheering for them. The thought made Everett almost laugh. It was pathetic how the people of this kingdom acted.

“I’d like to personally welcome each of them. I ask that all of you treat them with the same respect that you treat me. They are citizens of my kingdom now and they are your equals,” he continued on, a smirk curling on his lips. The words seemed to be the opposite of the tone of his voice. The king could obviously care less about what happened to them, someone blind could even tell. Everett couldn’t decide what his end goal was with the little speech.

Azazel’s eyes met his eyes through the crowd and he raised a brow in temptation. A group of servers walked through the crowd, giving each person a glass filled with a dark red liquid. Everett had only tasted wine a handful of times. Part of him was skeptical about accepting the drink, but he took the glass that was handed to him without protest. He did not attempt to drink from it, noting that Aerilyn did the same.

“To our new friends. Welcome to Korth,” Azazel held his glass to the sky above the room. Everyone repeated the words back to him before taking a drink for the toast. Everett kept eye contact with Azazel, not bringing the glass anywhere near his lips. He wouldn’t put it past the king to attempt his life.

“Join me on the dance floor to celebrate and enjoy the food provided,” he finished before nodding to the group of people in the corner that held a variety of instruments. The music began again, filling the room with a beautiful melody. With the cue of the music, people had begun to pair up and head toward a cleared area that Everett assumed was some sort of dance floor. He’d been around for a few balls at the castle back in Orissia. He learned how to dance at a young age, but it had taken him muchlonger than his brother. He was always clumsy and stepped on his partner's feet consistently.

“Are we going to dance, little thief?” Everett smiled as he held his hand out towards Aerilyn. He wanted to hate every second of being there, but he also wanted to enjoy little moments with the woman he loved. Aerilyn returned the smile and his heart fluttered in his chest. Everything about her was beautiful and he loved every smile she provided him with. They’d come so far since the day they had met. The moment her hand slid into his, he felt like the world clicked into place. Surrounded by people who hated them, he couldn’t seem to care as long as he had her in his arms.

“I have no idea how to dance, but I’m trusting you,” her voice was soft. The given trust struck his soul in a way he couldn’t quite explain. The girl seemed to not be very trusting, but she was handing her trust over to him continuously. He felt special to be given that privilege. The light in her eyes as they walked to the dance floor seemed to stand out more than usual. He had almost lost her, but they’d both walked away from the trial alive.

Everett’s hands slid around her lower back, pulling her in close to his chest. Her arms slid around his neck, closing any space remaining between them. The lighting of the ballroom reflected a golden warmth across her features. It made her look like an angel that had been sent to save his soul. He was in debt to whoever had sent the girl to him. He knew that he’d never be complete without her by his side. He didn’t care if he had to face his father’s wrath when they returned to Orissia, he’d do anything to have Aerilyn on the throne beside him.

“Just hold onto me and I’ll guide you through it,” he lowered his mouth to her ear, watching as a shiver ran through her. The movement made a smirk form on his lips, his hands tightening their grasp on her waist. Her eyes met his and shegave him a quick nod, showing that she understood what he was asking her to do.

“Good girl.”

Aerilyn’s cheeks flushed with a deep red tone, and quickly averted her eyes. Deep down, he had to admit that he enjoyed watching her squirm. As much as he wanted to worship her, he wanted her to worship him even more. He couldn’t overcome his obsession with her. Her moans still filled his mind, creeping into his dreams. Everything about her was perfect. It was obvious that she had been made specifically for him.

Everett held tight to the girl as he began to lead her in a dance. Her feet stumbled with each step and he tried not to laugh at her clumsiness. “Think about the way you dance with that sword during a battle. It’s not that much different, just let your body move and mirror mine,” he tried to coach her into feeling more comfortable in the movements. She visibly took in a deep breath, releasing it as her shoulders seemed to relax. He allowed his thumb to rub back and forth across her hip in a soothing motion.

After he had given her the advice, her feet seemed to move more freely. He watched as she became more comfortable in her dance, her feet moved with more grace than before. She was flawless when it came to most things, so seeing her struggle for once made her feel a bit more human to him. He loved every aspect of her, even the parts that may make mistakes. He wanted her to understand that, to see that she didn’t always have to be perfect for him.

“You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of, little thief,” he slid a hand over the back of her head, pulling it to his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her hair, letting out a sigh as every inch of space between them disappeared. He lost himself in the music and her touch, wishing he could freeze that exact moment in time. They weren’t in pain, they didn’t think about their deadfriends, they weren’t in an enemy kingdom. It was him and Aerilyn. Everything else didn’t matter. So, he let himself turn his mind off and became lost in Aerilyn.

Chapter Thirty Five

Aerilyn

As she stepped off the dance floor, her hand still tucked in Everett’s, she felt a hand grasp onto her shoulder. She turned quickly to see a tall figure with white hair and a silver crown placed in the perfectly placed hair. The sight of Azazel up close made her blood boil. She felt the heavy weight of her dagger pressing against her thigh. Her mind itched at her to grab it and bury it in his chest right at that exact moment.

“May I have a dance?” His signature arrogant smirk stretched across his face. She wanted to snap and scream at him, but she knew that wasn’t going to get her on his good side. She had to get him alone and that seemed like the only way to do it. She had to attempt to get on his good side. “Of course, asshole,” she flashed him a fake smile before glancing at Everett. She gavehim a look with a small nod before releasing his hand. He stared at her in confusion, trying to make sense of what she was doing. She didn’t stop to explain, turning her full attention to the king of Korth. “You’re sassy today, any reason?” He tilted his head in confusion, acting as if he didn’t understand the pain that she held within her. “Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I had to murder my friend today. Did you ever consider that?” Aerilyn finally let herself snap out of frustration. He held his hand out towards her and she didn’t take it, brushing past him back onto the dance floor.

“You know I couldn’t stop that. If I could’ve done it for you I would’ve, doll. I’m surprised your little prince didn’t do it for you. He’s even more pathetic than I realized,” Azazel sighed as if he were bored of the conversation already as he met her on the dance floor, slipping his hands over her waist. Aerilyn flinched at his touch. His hands were chilling even through the layer of clothing that separated his hands from her skin. He pulled her in close, leaving minimal space between them. She placed her hands on his chest in an attempt to keep any sort of space. “It was my decision. I don’t need to hear your opinion. Without you, this wouldn’t have ever happened. This is your fault, don’t blame it on anyone else,” she narrowed her eyes at him, tilting her head back so that she could meet his gaze with her harsh one. He was quiet, but he never broke eye contact between them. She felt a small victory to leave him at a loss for words. It was enough to slightly boost her confidence.

“I was wishing I could’ve taken you out of that area the moment you looked at me. I saw you search for me in the crowd. The fear across your expression…” he paused, looking away finally. “I wanted to protect you from experiencing that,” he finished. Confusion tore through her as she tried to make an understanding of what he meant by these words. He tried to say things that made it seem as if he cared then turned a coldshoulder all in the same conversation. The man continued to not make sense to her. “Then why did you do it?” She asked the same question she had proposed to him before. “You know why. The entire kingdom would’ve seen that I favored you. It would’ve put a target on your back and made me look weak,” he finally looked at her again. She could see the emotion in his eyes that she wasn’t used to seeing. She didn’t want to accept the thought that some part of him did care about her, but it was obvious. Marianna had even remarked of him acting differently with her.

“Weakness isn’t always a bad thing,” she whispered, shaking her head as she glanced at the room around them. Every set of eyes was upon them. She realized that the king hadn’t stopped to dance with anyone else yet, she was his first dance. Her stomach began to do flips as she noticed all of the attention, hating every second of it. She felt his hand slide up her back and grip the hair at the base of her neck. He pulled it to turn her head back to him. “Focus on me,” he narrowed his gaze, keeping a grasp on her hair. The feeling made her gasp. She hadn’t expected such an aggressive touch with such calming words. “These women are envious of you. That dress is exactly how I pictured it on you,” he smirked, the dimple of his cheek forming with the movement. “Admitting to thinking about me?” She raised a brow in a challenge.

“Oh doll, I’m always thinking about you.”

His words settled on her skin, leaving a chill running down her spine. The way he looked at her always made her want to squirm. She was the prey and he was always the predator. She just wanted a moment where she could be the predator. “No one else occupying your bed?” Aerilyn tried to drive the conversation in another direction. The idea of seducing him pounded in her mind. “I never said that. None of these women could begin to compare to you though. I’ve imagined what that dirty mouth tastes like and how your soft skin feels under my touch. I alsowonder what pretty sound you’ll make when I ruin you,” he tightened his grip on her hair triggering a wince to escape her. “You can keep imagining it, you’ll never have me like that,” she purred, trying to use the tactic of teasing the man to lead him into a frenzy. She wanted to see how far he’d go.

“You say that so confidently, but I see the way your body reacts to me. Don’t play innocent. I know you’ve thought about me while you’re lying in bed beside him. I could touch you in ways that he could never. I know how to make a woman scream,” he continued to toy with her, his fingertips digging into her lower back as he held her close to him. “You say that as if I wasn’t already screaming his name last night,” she gave him a wink. This seemed to catch him off guard. It was the second time that night that she’d surprised Azazel and it only continued to raise her confidence. “I’m sure he didn’t tie your hands above your head and force you to take every inch of him. I have a feeling you’d like it very rough, you just haven’t had the experience with me yet,” he lowered his voice, the words striking her even deeper than the other ones had. The thought of him doing exactly that ran through her mind in flashes of images. Her body tensed everywhere, her eyes widening. She felt bubbles in her lower stomach, a newer feeling than she’d experienced before. “I’m sure you’d be such a good girl for me,” he leaned his face closer to hers, their breath mixing. “All you have to do is give me one chance and I could change your mind about him,” he moved his hand from her hair and slid it over her throat. She felt his fingertips pressing into each side of her windpipe, applying a small amount of pressure. She parted her lips, but no sound came out. She hated that her body was reacting to him.

“Get your hands off of me,” she growled, unable to keep up the act of seducing him. She had thought it would be easier for her to do it, but he was pushing her too far. She had to find a different way to attack him. He only tightened his handon her throat, cutting off some of her oxygen. “You don’t have the power here, doll. You’re mine at the end of the day. You can pretend to be in love with your little prince, but I own you. You’re in my kingdom. There’s nothing you can do to escape me. Even if you try to go back to Orissia, I will bring violence to that kingdom to get you back,” he cocked his head, keeping their faces dangerously close. “Now, pet, do you want to rethink that attitude of yours?” Azazel questioned, allowing his lips to hover over hers. She knew that everyone in the room was watching the scene unfold and it only made her grow even more worried. Somewhere in the room, Everett was watching it happen. She felt a sense of defeat at that exact moment. He was threatening so much at once, she was unable to understand what all of it meant. “You don’t own me, bastard,” she hissed through gasping breaths. He chuckled and let go of the grip on her throat. “I can find more poison if you’d like?” Azazel questioned, toying with her.

The memory of the way her lungs began to close when she’d swallowed the food containing the poison made her chest tighten. She shook her head quickly, refusing to feel that sort of powerlessness again. “That’s a good pet. Never forget the deal we made. Does your little prince know about that?” He pressed further, making her emotions only spike. “Azazel please stop,” she finally cracked. She had tried so hard to keep her strong front, but the king knew exactly where to push her. “Everyone is staring. If you want to continue this conversation, let's go somewhere else,” she tried to reason with him, her eyes pleading. “You act as if I won’t humiliate you in front of all of them. This is nothing compared to what I’m capable of. I could put a chain around your throat and drag you around like a real pet. Don’t test me, Aerilyn,” the anger flashed in his voice, making her flinch. She knew she’d also pressed him the wrong way.

“Rose would be disappointed in this behavior,” she used his sister against him and instantly regretted it. Her anger had gotten the best of her at that moment. He pushed her too far and she couldn’t hold herself back any longer. His entire expression changed and his hand latched around her throat once again. This time the pressure he applied was unrelenting. She could no longer breathe, her windpipe being completely cut off. “Never bring her into this. You weren’t ever supposed to know about her. Don’t you think for a second that you can hold her over my head like that. I will kill you without regret if you ever speak of her in that manner again,” his voice began to rise and his grip only continued to tighten. Her vision began to spot with blackness, her head spinning from the lack of oxygen. “We can continue this conversation later when you’ve gotten rid of this attitude. Don’t make me hurt you. I don’t want to, but if I have to…” he trailed off, letting out a sigh before he let go of her throat.

Aerilyn quickly moved her hands to her throat, gasping for air as she tried to fill her lungs once again. He was frozen for a moment, watching her with eyes that contained no emotion. “I hate you,” she gasped out, her eyes beginning to water as she attempted to pull away from him. “Aerilyn…” He bit his bottom lip, locking his arms around her lower back. “Let go of me!” She screamed, slamming both of her palms into his chest. He finally let go of her, letting her stumble back. A set of strong arms quickly grabbed onto her and she recognized Everett’s scent before she saw his face. Azazel looked furious, his eyes narrowed at her with pure anger.

“Get your little whore under control. Her behavior right now is unacceptable. If she keeps this up, she’s going to end up dead,” Azazel snapped, directing some of his anger towards Everett. The sight of the prince only seemed to piss him off even more. He turned on his heel to walk away from them, leavingthem alone on the dance floor. Azazel had only taken three steps before the glass shattered and screams erupted throughout the ballroom.

Chapter Thirty Six

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