Page 39 of The Umbra King

Her eyes kept finding their way to the door behind the throne, and before she could stop herself, she was in front of it, grabbing the handle. This was either incredibly stupid, or it would pay off for later. She crossed her fingers and hoped it was the latter.

The door opened to a hallway with a long ornate rug covering the marble floor. After closing the door quietly behind her, she tip-toed her way to the first door. She missed her ability to move undetected, but the rug helped absorb any sounds her boots made.

She could see there were only two doors in the entire hallway:the one she stood in front of, and another at the very end. Which should she try?

Shrugging, she pushed open the first door and poked her head inside. It was dark other than a sconce by the door and another behind a large desk.

“The king’s office,” she whispered with wicked delight. This must be a second entrance.

“Yes,” Caius said, his voice floating through the dark. “My office.”

Rory yelped, letting the door close in her face. She turned to run, but the door flew open, and shadows wrapped around her arm, stopping her retreat.

That was it. She was carrying a torch to keep the damned things away from her.

“Where are you going, Miss Raven?” His voice was rich and enchanting, like a song.

She counted to three and stepped into his office, swiveling her head slowly to find him. It was dark, and she had a feeling he’d cloaked himself in shadows to hide. He revealed himself as he sat in a high-back chair in what looked to be a reading nook across the room.

One ankle rested on his opposite knee, and a book sat open in his lap. His head was bent as he read, and in his other hand, he held what looked to be a glass of liquor.

“Didn’t anyone tell you it’s impolite to sneak around?” he asked without looking up.

A lantern burned bright on the table beside his chair, and when he raised his head, her breath stalled. She hated how handsome he was. So handsome, it was hard to tear her gaze away.

“I was lost,” she fibbed. Not acompletelie.

He closed his book and set it on the side table. “I don’t appreciate being lied to.” He stood and prowled across the room. Everything about him was sleek and effortless, and she wanted to throw something at him.

“What makes you think I’m lying?” She tilted her head slightly. “Do you possess the ability to detect lies?” Cuffing her arms, she feigned boredom. “They left that ability out of the history books.”

A smirk pulled at the side of his mouth, and once in front of her, his eyes explored her face. “Why are you here?”

“I was looking for you,” she said sweetly.

His expression didn’t change. “Most women are.”

“Do they want to cut out your heart, too?” She fluttered her eyelashes dramatically.

A laugh rumbled from his chest, taking her by surprise once again. “I like when you’re honest.” His face shifted from amusement to a cold calmness as he took another step forward. “But I would like you even better on a spike, which is where you will be in hell if you threaten me again.”

Her eyes flared slightly as she took a step back, trying not to show fear, but his face broke into an amused smile again. “Ah, so you meant it.”

She stopped and pinched her brows together. “Excuse me?”

He strolled back to his reading chair, sat down, and lounged like the king he was. “You would have immediately told me you were kidding.” His eyes roamed the length of her. “It’s too bad. You might have even gotten on your knees, and you know how much I like you on your knees, Miss Raven.”

Her body heated against her will, and she ran through every unsavory image she could think of to dampen the flames inside her.Being horny would make seducing him easier, she reminded herself.

The organ beating in her chest had long been dead, and separating sex and feelings was something she did well.

The feeling unsettled her. Not the act of having sex with him, but the fact her bodywantedto. She closed her eyes and willed herself to remember the night of Cora’s death.

“Miss Raven,” Caius’ voice said, cutting through her thoughts. He picked up the book on his side table. “While I am sure you weredreaming of taking my cock into that smart little mouth of yours, I would prefer it if you acted it out for the class.”

It felt like a test. She had no doubt he was telling the truth about women throwing themselves at him.Like Nina.But he seemed like a man who liked the chase, and if the look in his eye was any indication, he hadn’t had one in some time.

Still lugging her shopping bags, she shrugged and walked to the door. “What made you think the cock was yours?”

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