Page 4 of The King has Fallen

“Speak up, Fetch,” he growled.

I swallowed, wincing at the pain in my throat, praying he hadn’t broken anything. “I’ll… I’ll surrender,” I croaked.

His eyes flashed like blades in the sun. Something deep in my belly clenched. His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed, but before I could say anything more, he drew his knees up, planting his feet under him, and hooked his free hand—dagger still gripped in his fist, though he held it so the blade flattened against his wrist—under my armpit, pulling me up to follow.

I choked as his grip on my throat tightened again, but within moments I stood swaying, able to breathe again, but now surrounded by a handful of these creatures, all staring down at me like hungry wolves on a carcass.

“Bring her to me,” the King said, his voice gruff and irritated, as if my appearance was moreannoyingthan dangerous.

Ignorant fuck.

Melek dragged me forward, turned me to face him, and planted a hand between my shoulder blades, pushing me to my knees. I did not fight.

I would be a compliant and easy prisoner.

Until I wasn’t.

Melek stood behind where I knelt, one boot planted between my knees ready to kick either leg out from under me if I attempted to stand, one hand gripping my shoulder hard enough to bruise, the other holding the knife to my throat.

“Look at me, Fetch,” the King growled.

Lifting my chin, I met his eyes as instructed, and had to fight not to smile.

If only he knew how close he’d come to dying by my hand already today. It would wipe that arrogant smirk off his face.

“How many of your… companions are here?”

“None,” I said truthfully. “Only me.”

The King arched one brow. “You want me to believe your people sent a single female among us without—”

“I am particularly skilled. The others trust me. I’ve been here since Firstday.”

The King scowled. “A liaranda thief. There’s nothing to be gained by—”

“On Firstday, you poked four of yourbayangirls—one took it in the ass because she feared your offspring would… how did she put it,split her from pudang to sternum?”

The King blinked.

“On Secondday, your apothecary provided services that I’m happy to recount if you wish, but I assume you will not want your men to hear thosevery private details.And this morning—”

“Enough,” the King snapped.

I felt Melek go still behind me and had to fight another grin. “I know when I am bested,Sire.I have watched you for days. I cannot overwhelm your brute strength. I will serve you to save my skin.”

The King glared at me and for a moment I feared I’d gone too far when he leaned in, shoving Melek’s blade-hand away, and gripped my throat with his meatfist, leaning into my ear so his hot breath played on my cheek and sent shudders of dread down my spine.

“I don’t care what you’ve seen of me, you putrid littlecunt. I am the son of a god, and I can do as I wish. I care only what you know of my enemies. Now… I hope that ground isn’t too hard. You’re going to be on your knees for a very, very long time. And when I get tired of listening to you, you’ll stay on your knees, andI’llfill your throat. Bestow a gift of the gods’ seed for you to swallow, you lucky bitch. Then perhapsyou’llbe the one to take it up the ass, hmmm? That is, if I can bring myself to touch a Fetch…” He inhaled deeply, then wrinkled his hooked nose. “You stink.”

I had no doubt it was true. Surveillance was a dirty game—especially in a military camp. Smelling like your surroundings made it far less likely for anyone to notice your presence. And frankly, these males were awful. There was little choice but to let my body reek in order to blend in. But I thought wistfully of a bath every hour.

Still, my stomach churned at very vivid pictures he had painted in my mind. I’d seen him viciously plow several women already. But I didn’t flinch.

“I am your servant, of course,” I said quietly. Timidly. “And you could take my life at any moment. I cannot deny that. But I should warn you that if you put your cock in my mouth, I will bite it off. And if you rape me, I will scream every word of your conversation with the visitors you had two nights ago. Every. Single. Word.”

His eyes narrowed to slits. “You can’t scream with my fist around your throat.”

“I’m a Fetch. Try me.”

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