Page 91 of Vicious Princess
I’m surprised when I find out Daegel doesn’t live with his family but rather has his own property on the edge of Yursus. Daegel’s estate rests right next to a massive pine forest.
At the front gate, two Ezkai stand guard. I don’t bother approaching through the main entrance. Instead, I follow the high stone wall all the way to the back of the property, where it meets the edge of the forest. The darkness between tall trees looms behind my back as I quickly climb the wall. Once I’m at the top, I drop one leg over and pause.
The view from up here is phenomenal.
Daegel’s estate is just as large as I expected. The gravel pathways lining the property are neat, and every bush and flower in his gardens is manicured to perfection.Damn, Ezkai do get paid well for their service.
My feet are quiet when they reach the ground. I make my way towards the main building, shrouded in shadows. I don’t evenneed to guess where in the house he is—the only windows with flickering light from a fireplace show the same room.
I approach the eight-panel glass door and give it a little push. Not locked. Quietly, I slide it open and sneak inside before sliding it back shut.
The room is stunning.
Tall, dark wood shelves line the walls from top to bottom, and every inch is stuffed with the most gorgeous tomes. In front of the fireplace, there are two deep-red leather armchairs. Daegel sits in one of them, his long legs stretched on top of an ottoman.
When I approach, I can see a book in his lap.War Strategies.
It’s a dangerous situation he just put himself in. What if I were an enemy and not a friend? I could kill him with ease, and his guards wouldn’t even know.Why does an Ezkai Major need two guards at his gate?
Slowly, I pull out the small yet sharp blade hidden in my boot. Each step I take is calculated. I make no sound as I approach him from behind and lean forwards.
Daegel doesn’t flinch when I press the blade against his throat and whisper into his ear. “The two Ezkai at the front of your property are there for decoration only, huh?”
“Don’t worry about me, princess. I don’t need protection.”
He’s just as swift as I am.
Daegel’s fingers wrap around my wrist before I can act and twist it. I loosen my grip on the blade and yelp. Daegel doesn’t let go of me. He pulls me onto his lap. We’re face-to-face, so close that we share a breath.
My heart races in my chest. A laugh tears through my lips, but it dies quickly.
Daegel runs a finger over my jawline and down my neck. Goose bumps skitter all over my skin. “Is that the type of foreplay you enjoy?” A corner of his mouth lifts. “A little knifeplay? The threat of drawing blood, huh?Viciousprincess. I’m definitely open to exploring whatever your heart desires.”
Heat surges to my cheeks. The desire that zips through me is hard to tame. I press my thighs together to control the throbbing in my core.
“I’m glad to hear you’re so open and…flexible. I bet it’ll come in handy.”
Before his wandering fingers can reach intimate places on my body and I completely lose control, I get on my feet. I turn my back to Daegel and take in the beautiful surroundings.
His eyes follow me as I move around the room.
My fingers trace random objects in my way—the leather-bound tomes on the dark oak shelves and the bronze statues depicting the greatest soldiers from the past and their lovers on the windowsills.
I love the tension that builds between us in this silence. It makes me feel alive.
When I reach the mantel above the fireplace, I face him. Daegel is still lounging in the armchair, all casual. Yet the way he looks at me is anything but.
His dark gaze roams over my face, down to my breasts, and even lower down to my waist, my hips, and my long legs. I wear leathers, and not a single inch of my skin is showing beneath my neck, but I feel the caress of his gaze on my skin as if I were completely naked.
I love the way he looks at me. The lust and admiration make me feel…powerful. My whole body tingles with pleasure.
“Why didn’t you use the front door? You’ve got the permission slip,” he says.
“It’s your personal estate. I want as few people knowing about this visit as possible,” I say. “Just in case.”
“My men are loyal. Nobody will say a word.”
I wave my hand around the room. “Do all Ezkai have estates like this one? And personal guards?”
