Page 11 of A Bond in Blood

He was breathtaking and terrifying. Despite the fact he had a black mask covering the upper half of his face, I was enamored by his presence. Or maybe it was his power. A cold that exuded over the entire space, taking control of everything inside of me. It silently demanded attention and obedience.

I stepped back, bumping into Olen’s chest.

The king smiled across the room.

Instantly, I hated him. The amusement in that smile. The knowing behind it. The idea that he believed he had any control over me.

Olen’s hands gripped my arm, holding me in place while the king stood and slowly approached.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. His long, dirty blond hair and beard, all perfectly groomed. The way his tunic appeared to struggle to cover the muscles of his chest and broad shoulders. His stature was equal in height to the brute holding me in place. Yet, the most shocking part of his appearance was the ink on his skin.

There were black horns on either side of his neck, heads of beasts on his chest, peeking through his open tunic, and even more strange markings on his forearms, revealed by his rolled sleeves.

Every head in the room bowed while the king made his approach. Every head but my own. Because despite the cold of his power growing closer, I wouldn’t bend my knee. I wouldn’t allow this quiet call for obedience to take root inside of my heart.

I could admit he had a power about him, overwhelming and deadly. It forced my body to shake as if death were coming for my very soul, like the Gods were ready to claim me back to their realm at any moment.

But I would not kneel.

“Brenna,” the king said when he completed his approach.

My body lit with rage at how casually he said my name. At the way his tongue licked across his lips, as though he were savoring the sound of it.

“I don’t know how you know my name,” I replied, holding myself confidently.

The king grinned, glancing back at Olen who released his hold on my arms.

“You’ll come to find I know all when it comes to things that belong to me.”

I stared in disbelief.Owned?Things?Was that all this creature viewed me as? Something to possess and control?

“Belong?”I held back my yell. “I belong to no one.”

His grin widened and I narrowed my eyes, trying to see beyond the masking hiding the rest of his features. My eyes met his emerald green gaze and he cocked his head.

“Not used to masks?”

“I don’t know why you would believe I am,” I replied.

“You’re half-fae, masks are a natural part of the fae customs,” he replied blankly.

“I lean more toward my mortal side. In the years I’ve visited Oberon’s Court, I’ve never been forced to wear a mask.”

Hisses echoed out across the room at the mention of Oberon’s name. I watched the king, waiting for his cool demeanor to slip. To my disappointment, he was the only being in the room who didn’t react. Instead, he stood unphased, staring down at me.

“Oberon is a fool,” he replied calmly.

Lifting his finger, he motioned forward while he turned on his heel.

“Come, Brenna.”

Olen’s hands hit my back, pushing me forward. Forcing me to follow the command like some animal on a leash. It instantly infuriated me.

The bowed heads surrounding us remained low while we crossed the crowded room. I kept my eyes forward, avoiding the scowls I’d caught glimpses of while also saving myself from gawking at the naked fae in the room.

The king sat on his throne, motioning to a small cushion beside it.

I stared at the seat, my stomach twisting with hate.

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