Page 60 of Brutal Fae King
“No. No second-hand recaps,” Dralis says. He walks over and sits on the end of my bed before looking at me with a knowing smirk. “The whole prophecy. Recite it to me.”
I stare blankly at him for a moment.
“Oh, do you not know the prophecy?” he asks. “Have you just had people assure you that’s what it says?”
I still don’t have the words. Dralis gives a single laugh and looks away.
“Interesting,” he purrs.
“I know what you’re doing,” I say. “And I’m not going to abandon the castle and go back home—or join you in your crusade to destroy Faevea.”
“See, I think this is why we’re setting off on the wrong foot,” Dralis purrs. “Because we have never met. Not truly. Yet you’re looking at me like I’m a villain.”
He pats the side of the bed next to him. I don’t say anything.
“Oh, come now,” he says. “Don’t be standoffish. We should be friends.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because we have a lot in common,” Dralis answers. “Don’t you think? I would have thought if anyone would understand my point of view, it’d be you, Ebelor. We were both pariahs in our own homes, and people made itveryclear that we were not wanted every day of our lives.” His dark eyes somehow darken even more. “And, of course, they only consider us valuable once they know they can take advantage of our powers. For you, of course, it’s the prophecy that makes you valuable. Without it, no one would care about you.”
I try to answer back, but the words catch in my mouth.
He’s right.The softer side of Vicmar aside, he only cares because of the prophecy.
“Of course,” Dralis continues. “I don’t play nicely with people I know are trying to take advantage of me. That’s why I’m a villain to them, Ebelor.”
“You’re trying to destroy Faevea,” I answer. “You and your trickster god.”
“Says who?” he asks. “Says the Cruel King? The one who kidnapped and killed so many women? The one who sits on a stolen throne in a stolen castle and threw the rightful heir in the dungeons?” A smirk twists his lips. “The one who took you from your ailing sister?”
“H-he’s sent healers for her!” I explode. “She’s doing well now!”
“Oh? So you’ve seen her?” Dralis asks. “You’ve seen Maribelle alive and well?”
I pause. He stands and begins walking toward me again. I back away and hit the wall eventually. His hands move out and hit the wall on either side of me, boxing me in.
“He’s been lying to you, Ebelor,” he purrs. “You know he’s a liar. He’s lied about why he kidnapped those women and why you were there—he only conceded when the witch told you beforehand. He bound himself to you without your consent. But you assume he’s telling the truth about your sister? How do you know he hasn’t justtoldyou he sent people and she’s doing well? Have you seen her?”
I look out the window. Dralis takes my chin with his thumb and forefinger and forces me to face him.
“This is a representation of what I could give you,” he purrs. “If you thought it was true, it just tells you I know you well.” Then his face darkens again. “Answer the question: have you seen your sister alive and well?”
“No,” I breathe.
“So how do you know he fulfilled his promise?” Dralis asks.
“I-I…” I hang my head. His fingers drop from my face.
“Youwantto believe him,” he purrs. “Don’t mistake that for him being truthful.”
A shiver runs through me. He moves even closer to me, his entire arm resting on the wall behind me. His chest almost rests on mine. I open my mouth to answer back—and I’m hit with a mouthful of his scent.
He smells… so much like Vicmar.
The sex last night runs through my mind. A flicker of arousal scatters through my stomach.
Damn him!
