Page 16 of Marry a King (Five Kings 5)

As he pushes roughly past his brother, I chance a look at him and see the blackest revenge brewing in Victor’s eyes and it takes my breath away. There is so much hatred in this confined space I almost choke on it and as I walk beside a man who scares, yet fascinates me, it strikes me the one we’re leaving behind scares me even more.

I’m grateful to leave the situation behind and note that Maxim tightens his grip on my hand as we walk silently down the corridor.

Words fail me as I struggle to keep up with him and he wears his anger like a suit of armor because I doubt anyone could get through to him right now.

Rather than take the route I came from before, we turn sharply left and I wonder where we’re going. Strangely, I’m not afraid, although I think I should be because it’s obvious he has no intention of escorting me to my room.

Instead, we head toward a door that surprises me by leading out into a garden heavily lit by fairy lights in the dark of the night. The moon also casts a shadow on the silent place, and as the fresh air soothes my heated skin, I shiver involuntarily. Maxim stops and, like a gentleman, removes his jacket and slips it around my shoulders and just feeling the heat from his skin affects me in a way I never saw coming. It’s like a warm embrace wrapping me in safety and comfort and the warmth sends a surge of excitement through my body that has no reason being there.

He walks slowly with the ever-present guards keeping a respectful distance and I wonder what sort of life he leads where he is guarded so closely. Will this be my life; it appears to be Elizabeth’s because she too has company whenever she walks through the corridors of her own home?

“I’m sorry, Cassie.”

“For what, the list is quite long to be honest?”

To my surprise, he laughs, which surprises me. It makes him appear almost human and as his hand tightens around mine, I feel a sense of longing for the contact and I don’t know why.

We reach a small gazebo that looks enchanting, like something out of a fairy tale, and he helps me onto a metal seat before sitting closely by my side.

He reaches down and pulls my face to his and as I feel his hot breath dancing dangerously close to my lips, he whispers, “I’m sorry you are caught up in a situation you never asked for. I’m sorry I took away your dream and replaced it with mine and I’m sorry for what happens next.”

“What does happen next?”

I lick my lips because God help me, I want him to kiss me so badly it blinds me to what he’s done and as he stares deep into my eyes, I melt inside at the power in his. Dark, turbulent, obsidian eyes, that holds my fate with a firm hand and a black heart because if he’s sorry for anything, I’m not up shit creek without a paddle right now and a lazy grin breaks out across his face as he realizes how much he is affecting me.

“I’m sorry that I can’t give you up and have placed my feelings over your own, but know this, my darling. I will always have your best interests at heart, will protect you and will do everything I can to make you happy. You must hate me right now, but I can deal with that. I can deal with anything as long as you are by my side.”

“But why me?” I really am genuinely confused and the fact his eyes have almost combusted with lust at this point is making me experience feelings I never knew existed inside me. The sexual tension in the air is palpable and never having experienced that myself it’s like some kind of wonder drug and I shock myself by leaning a little closer and wishing like crazy he would kiss me again because my body is reacting like some kind of sex-addicted crazy whore right now, who can’t wait to see where this is going.

To my surprise and disappointment, he pulls back and I almost howl with frustration as he stares at the moon and sighs.

“Victor is disturbed, mentally.”

“Oh.” I lean back but note his hand is still gripping mine with an ownership I’m not entirely unhappy about, making me hate myself all over again.

“He has always been on edge, probably since he was born. Most of the time, it was explained as sibling rivalry because the focus of his anger appeared to be directed at me. My father told me he experienced a similar reaction from his own brother and, not to worry about it, he would settle down over time. Victor has watched me grow up as the shadow king. Learning my royal duties from my father almost before I could ride a bike. I was protected, given different privileges and always included in important events while he waited with my mother. It must have been difficult for him, but I never knew the extent of the bitterness he kept locked in his heart.”

“I never knew.”

I wonder about Victor because he has always been a good friend to me and I enjoyed his company. I used to come to the palace as a small child in his chosen circle of friends and we all enjoyed a childhood full of amazing adventures and happy times. Maxim was kept out of sight and I can’t really remember him, but I do remember the hatred Victor always had in his voice when he spoke about his brother and realize Maxim is probably speaking the truth.

Sadly, I think back on the bruises and scars that Victor always told us was a result of his brother bullying him and I feel angry for my friend and say tightly, “Then maybe you shouldn’t have hurt him as much.”

“In what way?”

Maxim sounds surprised and I hiss, “He showed us the bruises, the small cuts to his skin that he told us was down to you. What sort of brother harms their younger one? Surely you should have been a role model, someone to look up to, but you’re a bully, Maxim, and should be ashamed of yourself. It’s no wonder he has developed such hatred for you. He’s been in prison since the day he was born and you have been the person responsible for making it a difficult one.”

To my surprise, he just laughs and I couldn’t hate him more if I tried right now and yet as he pulls my face to his, I hitch my breath because the emotion that looks back at me makes my soul shiver—with desire.

Reaching down, he strokes my face like he would a pet dog and says huskily, “It’s important to me what you think. If you thought I was capable of that, I would move mountains to change your mind. If you think I was in any way responsible for the damage to my brother, then you’re wrong.”

I can’t stop staring into his eyes and whisper, “Then who was?”

“Victor.”

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