Page 52 of Wicked Prince of Carnage
He leered at Sterling. “And now I’ve given you anewmate.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
STERLING
King Valco had murdered Talia in front of everyone. It wasn’t at one of Winter’s games, not out of revenge, and not out of betrayal.
His sharp claws had so easily ripped through her throat, in the same way the wolves’ had effortlessly torn Sterling’s grandmother apart. She loathed Talia from the brief encounter she’d had with her, but Sterling had to admit that the wolf didn’t deserve to die in humiliation.
Valco finished licking Talia’s blood from his claws as he returned to his seat, his expression one of pleasure. He’dclaimedthat ripping her throat out had been a way to make amends with his son.
Sterling sat back on her knees beside Winter, and she peered up at him, his shoulders no longer rigid. She hadn’t known that the king was the one who’d fucked Winter’s mate. At first, she’d believed the prince had deceived Talia, then she’d discovered his mate was the one who’d betrayed him. But never had she imagined that his father was the one who’d fucked his own son’s mate. And on the night before their mating ceremony, no less.
As for Sterling’s father, he could be anyone, and she’d never cared enough to seek out a sorcerer or sorceress in another court who could locate him with a spell. After watching what had just happened between Winter and his father, relief filled her that she’d never searched for hers or Cyan’s. But her mother had once told Sterling that the type of men she’d bedded weren’t ones she would ever want introduced to her children.
A servant brought Winter a bowl of water and soap, and he washed Talia’s blood from his face with a rag. The guestsresumed eating their meals as Talia’s body was carried out from the room and blood was scrubbed from the wooden planks.
Sterling remained quiet on the floor at Winter’s side. He’d confused and angered her earlier for treating her as though he hadn’t licked her cunt on the balcony the night before. He didn’t have to treat her like a princess, but previously he’d been much different, and now she knew why. While the prince was part wicked, he was nothing like his father. When Winter had passed her the fork and trailed his fingers across her cheek, it was a signal for her to trust him, that he’d been protecting her by being cruel.
“What a fine meal this is,” Valco cheered, and lifted his glass. “Winter, you’ve treated your future bride abysmally tonight, and I’ll have no more of that in my home.”
The prince shrugged and sipped his wine, his throat bobbing. The only tell-tale sign that anything bothered him at all. But she’d seen it. Just as she had his rigid shoulders before. If she noticed, then the king quite possibly could too.
“Rise, Sterling,” Valco demanded.
She blinked yet did as was asked and brushed her hands down the front of her dress, the dress the king had chosen for her to wear. Valco’s gaze traveled her body, lingering on her breasts, before drifting up to the scar on her face. Bile rose up her throat as it had when he’d patted his lap for her to take a seat on him. “A beautiful face marred by such an ugly thing. However, your scar is the perfect symbol to show the court that a human can forgive a wolf for such heinous acts and unite us all.”
“I agree,” Sterling breathed. Except she didn’t believe him. What would the amends involve? Murdering her the way he had his own son’s mate? If she angered him, she knew he would eventually.
“Good. Now, let the mating ritual begin.” His gaze settled on an empty spot in the center of all the tables. “In this very room.”
Sterling froze. In the same room where the king had just slaughtered Talia? But she didn’t utter a word, only nodded. Once she was Winter’s wife, she would be closer to potentially freeing her brother.
“Why the rush?” Winter said, slowly setting his glass on the table.
“Do you not want to unite our court?” Valco fumed. “Do you enjoy being a pathetic son?”
Winter’s fingers dug into his thigh beneath the table where no one could see.
“I didn’t think so.” Valco motioned at two servants. “Bring in the royal bedding.”
Sterling’s heart pounded, though not nearly as hard as it would’ve if she didn’t already know they needed to have sex in front of an audience. She would’ve much preferred the act to be in the forest behind the castle like the prior mating ceremony, out in the open where other sights and sounds could’ve served as a distraction.
The servants brought in lush chestnut-colored fur blankets that they sprawled out in the center of the room. Sterling took in the faces around her, some holding fear, others sympathy or frowns. No one would stand up to the king though—they would end up just like Talia.
Valco smirked as his gaze trained on his son. “Now, fuck her for us.”
For us. As though the prince were the court’s personal entertainment.
“My pleasure, Your Majesty.” Winter pushed up from his seat and sauntered to one side of the bedding. Valco shooed Sterling with a wave of his hand to follow his son.
As she stood opposite Winter, she ignored all the eyes upon them and pretended as if they didn’t exist. But that proveddifficult when no music filtered through the room, only the breaths of the king and his guests.
Winter remained rooted in place, and she wasn’t certain if she was supposed to step forward first.
“What’s the matter, son?” the king barked. “Haven’t you fucked enough harlots to know where to stick your cock?”
Winter angled his head to the side, watching Sterling silently. Then he removed his shirt and unfastened his trousers until he was bare before her. She stepped toward the prince and his fingers brushed the hem of her dress, making gooseflesh rise on her skin. He lifted the fabric over her head, and she wondered if the guests were studying each of her scars and flaws.
