Page 74 of Brutal Fae King
And I feel horrible about it. After all, here I am, in a fancy and warm bed in a castle, having spent an amazing night with a king. Is Maribelle suffering whilst I’m lounging around here?
Even if she’s just suffering with Weeping Fever, do I deserve to be happy?
My stomach gives a little turn. I shuffle on my spot, and I see Vicmar’s sleeping face. I’m caught by his beauty—he’s so serene right now. His features, from his sharp nose to his strong jawline and his delicate mouth… It’s as if he’s a statue, masterfully crafted by an expert sculptor. With his dark eyesclosed, he looks like an angel. I can’t believe such a tranquil and handsome face could ever have belonged to the “Cruel King”.
Besides, if they think he’s cruel… they should meet his brother.
He's why I’m really here. Vicmar is right—we can’t let that man get his hands on Faevea.
As I sit here, pondering, Vicmar gives a little shuffle and grunt, and his eyes slowly blink open. He looks at me, bleary-eyed, then smiles.
“Good morn, Ebelor,” he murmurs.
I can’t help but return his smile.
“Good morn,” I reply.
He shuffles up to sitting. I lay my head back down on his chest, gazing up at him.
“You were watching me sleep?” he asks, a little teasing edge to the question.
“No!” I giggle. “Well, perhaps I was this time, but I don’t typically.”
“Mm-hm,” he hums, giving me an incredulous grin.
I laugh gently. His hand starts combing through my hair, trailing my locks out and letting them fall from his fingers.
“What were you thinking about?” he asks me.
“Oh… just… how crazy the change has been,” I answer.
Vicmar chuckles.
“That is all so true,” he replies. “The change has been immense. On my part, I was so scared to bring in the lost heir, so very scared she was going to steal my throne, so I did everything in my power to keep her at arm’s length—and yet we have falleninto each other’s arms.” He gives me a little squeeze. “And beds, speaking of it.”
He leans forward and kisses me on the forehead. I giggle for a moment, then look down.
“Is this right?” I ask.
Vicmar frowns.
“What do you mean? What would be wrong with this?”
“I just…I’m here. In your bed, as your queen…” I murmur. “And I’ve left Maribelle behind… Maybe I should have tried harder to get her back.”
Vicmar runs his hand down my hair.
“You haven’t left her behind,” he says. “She has the best healers in the land at her bedside right this moment. She shouldn’t be moved right now in her state, even if you did sneak out to see her.” He smiles kindly at me. “Ebelor, don’t feel guilty.”
A little spark of panic passes through me when I hear him say theGword. It’s something so deep in my core that I’ve never told anyone before; I forgot that I blurted it out to him already.
But he understands. I can see that in his endless, dark eyes. It’s reassuring, but they’re too intense for me to keep his gaze for now. I duck down and nestle myself back into his chest, and his arms curl around me.
“I can’t help it,” I admit, staring at the curtains drawn around his four-poster bed. “It’s all I’ve ever known since our parents died. It’s been my entire life.”
“I know. I know exactly how that feels,” Vicmar sighs under me, his chest raising my head up and then my headdropping down again when he sighs. “It’s hard to break away when it’s all you know.”
I nod. Vicmar gives the lightest laugh.
