Page 9 of Marry a King (Five Kings 5)

Maxim

As expected, it doesn’t take long for Victor to seek me out and the fury on his face gives me more satisfaction that I thought I’d feel.

“You bastard.”

“Your point is…”

I smirk and his eyes flash as he storms into the room like an avenging angel.

“You knew I wanted her.”

I shrug and sip my champagne as I regard him through loveless eyes.

“So did I.”

“So you pulled rank on me. I might have known you’d stoop that low. What’s the matter? Were you afraid she would choose me, if she had a choice that is?”

He stares at me with so much hatred blazing from his eyes, I take a moment to marvel at the scene before me. Sibling rivalry at its most destructive, if only that was where it ends.

“Would you like a glass of champagne to toast my engagement?”

I raise the bottle and he growls, “You think you’ve won. I can see it in your eyes. Well, there’s still time and I won’t give her up without a fight.”

I pointedly yawn and shrug. “Do what you must, but we both know I’ve won. Cassie is my queen and there was never any question of that.”

“That’s debatable.” Victor strides to the window and looks down at the valley below.

Andromeda. Our birth-right and only the day of our birth determined our fate. Part of me is glad our father is dead so he won’t have to witness his son’s behavior. There has never been any love lost between us, largely due to the man who is tasting the bitter pill of defeat as he formulates his next plan.

After a while, he turns and the hatred that flashes from his eyes gives me a moment’s pleasure before he hisses, “Watch your back, brother, because I’m coming for you. Enjoy this victory while it lasts because I have every intention of winning the war.”

“Do your best, Victor, but as we both know…” I stand and move across to join him at the window and say darkly, “Your best was never quite good enough.”

For a moment he glares at me with so much hatred I wouldn’t be surprised to see a dagger emerge from his jacket as he drives it straight through my heart. Instead, he turns and walks away with a look that tells me he’s only getting started.

As the door slams, I wonder what he has next up his sleeve. It will be interesting to watch if anything, but then my attention shifts to the woman caught in the middle of it all.

Cassie. My queen and the most desirable woman I have ever met. Just imagining what it will feel like to conquer such a prize. To own a piece of heaven and hold it in my rough hands. Three days can’t come quickly enough for me because I am keen to explore her further. To watch her quiver under my touch, see the desire spark in her eyes as I carefully remove every layer she possesses, both mentally and physically.

She will resist me and I am looking forward to that because great riches shouldn’t be surrendered without a fight. She will want to hold on to the last thing she holds of any value—her virginity and I cannot wait to take that from her with, or without, her blessing.

A knock takes me by surprise and as I call to enter, I’m happy to see the next person through the door.

“Maxim.”

“Mother.”

The look she shoots me is one of unhappy acceptance as she makes her way to the table when I offer her a glass of champagne.

She grips the stem and holds my gaze with the usual authoritative air she commands.

“So, I take it we have a wedding in three days’ time.”

“Did you ever doubt me?”

I raise my glass and she shakes her head and drains hers like a pro.

“You’re a fool.”

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