Page 164 of The King has Fallen

The despair was so overwhelming, the rage so white-hot, I did nothing but stand there and tremble.

“Melek,” she breathed. “Please.”

“Please,what?!”

She stared at me like she was drinking me in—probably just as frantically as I drank in the sight of her. But did she hate herself for it as I did? Apparently not.

Then she swallowed. “I didn’t lie about anything,” she said hoarsely. “I just… didn’t tell you everything.”

“Well you left out awhole fucking lot!”I roared.

There was a shout on the other side of the door.

I snarled. “Better go soothe your bond-vowed. He seems to be losing his shit.”

“I’m going to handle Turo. He will know the full story first, before the others. He deserves that much. But for now…” she drew herself up and I saw it then, that regal certainty—it flickered though. Hints of the scared young woman peeking through. “For now, it’s important that you know that the only thing I didn’t tell you was that I was Queen. Everything else—my feelings, my convictions, what I wanted for you… it was all true.”

I took a step closer and her eyes widened as I leaned in and dropped my voice. “So… you still want me?”

“Of course I do! You’re my mate!”

I tipped my head. “Better tell that to your bond-vowedGeneral.Seems like you have a type, Yilan. Have you fucked him since you got back? The man clearly worships at your feet, so I’m guessing the reunion wasthrilling.”

“Melek,” she choked. “Of course I haven’t! Don’t be cruel.”

“Cruel?I’mcruel? Are you fucking kidding me?! You lied to me, drugged me, and stole me from my life! Itrustedyou!”

“And you should! Because you’re mine. And I’m yours!” she hissed, glancing over her shoulder.

“Don’t say it too loud. He might hear you.”

She snapped her head back around, and some of her fire was back. “I know you’re angry. And I get it—I would be too. But Ididn’t lie to you.And I wouldneverbetray our bond that way. The only reason they don’t know is because I haven’t had a chance to talk toyou,so you wouldn’t be used against your will—”

“Bullshit,” I snarled bitterly, raking my hand through my hair. “Just stop. I don’t believe a word anyway. A fucking Queen? I should have known,” I said with a sneer. “The Royals always are the most conniving and vicious.” I leaned even closer untilmy nose almost brushed the bars. “One of the reasons Inever wanted to be one.”

“Melek—”

“Suddenly all your ambition for me makes sense. Hard to get excited about a simple General, right? I mean, clearly. You already had one of those.”

“That isnotwhat is happening here!” she hushed, stamping her foot. There were tears in her eyes, but she stood with her hands balled at her sides and her chin high, meeting my snarling insults with a dignity I hadn’t seen in her before.

One more thing she had hidden from me.

“I am going to forgive you,” she whispered.

“So noble of you,” I snarled.

She closed her eyes and swallowed, then met my eyes again. “I am going to forgive you for your harsh words because I know this is a shock, and… and I would feel betrayed at first, as well.”

“At first?!”

“But I am not going to… tosparwith you. Because I am not vicious, except in defense of those I love. And I love you, Melek. You’re my mate.”

“Another deception,” I snarled. “How did you do it? How did you make me believe? Is this just a spell?” I hissed, pounding my chest once where the bond sang and screamed.

She shook her head, her eyes welling. “Trust me, this was far harder for me than it was for you.”

“Such bullshit.You played a part, Yilan: Strong, beautiful, but vulnerable in a herd of Nephilim, right? Always the poor female that we needed to rush to save. Very,verywell played. But make no mistake, I will not fall for it again. I will not play your games.”

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