Page 28 of Brutal Fae King
I smile and nod to the guard, grin to myself, and pick up a dainty spoon to start eating my gruel.
***
I’m finished with my meal, and the guard is removing my bowl from in front of me when the door slams open—in the entitled and unabashed way that can only come from the king. I’m not surprised when I turn around and see him. He glowers at me and then looks at the guard.
“Leave us.”
The guard bows lightly and then scurries out of the room. The king closes the door after him, then looks at me.
“So,” he says. “I take it you’re making yourself comfortable?”
“I am,” I reply, picking up my champagne flute and twirling it. “I’m glad you’re here; we have some things to discuss, I’m sure you’re aware.”
He growls and then walks over to the table. He pulls out the chair next to mine and galumphs down upon it.
“I will ask this one more time, and I expect an answer,” he grunts. “What are your plans with Faevea?”
I put my spoon down.
“And I’ll tell you again, and maybe this time you’ll believe me. I don’t have any plans for Faevea.However,” I smirk. “Idon’t think you want that to change, do you? Because now I know I’m queen, and it’s been confirmed by the witch, any plans Idomake are going to have to be carried out, aren’t they? If you fight me on these things, it’s going to get messy very quickly and—I’ll ensure—very publicly.”
His mouth purses and twists in irritation. He doesn’t say anything.
“I know I am the rightful heir,” I say. “The witch told me everything.”
“Damn that witch…” He growls quietly to himself for a moment before he looks up at me. “If you have no plans for Faevea, then what do you want?”
I shove my chair out and face him fully.
“I know I can’t leave here,” I say. “I’m not looking to destroy the kingdom, and I’m not looking to sweep it out from under you and rule it, either.”
He leans back in surprise slightly.
“But,” I say. “I’m not staying in the dungeon anymore, and I’m not abiding by the treatment you’ve been putting me under anymore.”
I lean back in my chair, picking up my champagne flute of water and swirling it lightly.
“Things are going to have to change,” I reply smugly. “If I’m a queen, you’re going to start treating me as such, or I’ll make it happen.”
He suddenly surges toward me. I blink and lean back. When I open my eyes, he’s perhaps an inch from my face, those sharp eyes burning into mine.
“You truly think it’s that easy?” he growls lightly. “You think bloodline alone makes you queen? You think you can wear the crown without consequences like that?”
I can smell his scent. It’s a rich, earthy musk, like sweet bark. I… like breathing it in. Shivers start rattling up and down me. It takes me a second to realize I’m just sitting in the chair, breathing him in—I need to answer.
“By law, I can,” I reply.
He gives a little growl at the back of his throat before he answers.
“By law, you can,” he agrees. “But you think you are owed the treatment of a queen for simply arriving here as part of a bloodline?”
I grin at him.
“You can’t threaten me anymore,” I answer. “I know you can’t do anything. You can’t kill me, lest the kingdom be destroyed. You can’t send me away, or the kingdom will fall, too. If you go back to treating me like a servant, I will make it known that I am the true queen, andyouare the usurper. You know, with the witch attesting, they’d believe me over you. You can’t do anything.”
He leans down toward me. I can feel his body heat. His nose practically touches mine.
“Don’t try me,” he murmurs throatily. “There’s still plenty I could do to you.”
