Page 13 of Ruthless Royals
She arched a thin, blonde brow, shifting her position to her side. “I assumed you liked her.”
“I don’t,” I stated, because I wasn’t about to tell her of all people anything that could be seen as a weakness. The feelings I begrudgingly held for Elizabeth stirred in my chest, poising me to attack as I glared at the viper of a woman on the bed, a predator who had Elizabeth in her sights. “Why do you care?”
“Oh, come now, Niall. You’re telling me you harbor no feelings for the girl at all? I know you better than that. I can see there’s something there.” Her eyes narrowed, a glint of red flashing in them. I forced back my anger, shrugging in response. She continued. “Well, then. If you don’t care about her, then why is she still alive?”
“She tastes good,” I said simply. “Why do we keep any mortal alive?” I steadied my breathing, not allowing any pickup of my heart rate to give me away. If she thought I felt anything for Elizabeth, she’d already be dead. “You want her?” I added, for good measure.
She cleared her throat, then rose from the bed, closing the distance between us. I breathed in the scent of her jasmine and rose perfume, unwilling to look away as she examined me carefully. “Interesting,” she said after several painful seconds, her eyes trickling over my features. “If she’s nothing more than a blood bag to you, then bring her to the ball this evening.”
“Why would I do that?”
Her stare brightened, the blues swirling with a mix of silver and black. I jolted slightly as she placed a finger against my chest, dragging it down to the bottom of my ribcage. “Because,” she said, climbing her gaze back to meet mine. “I want to see how you are withher.”
“I’m not bringing a mortal as my date.”
“If you don’t, then I’ll dispose of her.”
“I don’t care,” I bluffed, neither of us looking away as we stayed trapped in this game. “Get rid of her.”
“Youwillbring her this evening.” The wrinkle between her brows deepened, her finger twitching as she pulled it from my chest. “You’re in my domain now.” She brought her lips to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “If you want to become king, you’ll play along.” Her soft, but deadly giggle whispered into my ear as she pulled back, her curves inches from my body. “You should get ready. The ball is in an hour.”
“Yes, your big entrance back into the world,” I said bitterly, recalling the ridiculous invitation that was slid under my door yesterday. “Do you truly believe anyone will ever accept you? You brought half-breeds into our castle.”
She stepped back, putting a few feet between us, and clicked her tongue. “They’re excellent soldiers,” she said with a shrug. “When the time is ready, I will get rid of them, just as I will anyone who opposes me. Although, I doubt many will.” Her features sharpened under the yellow light. “I am their goddess, and yours. Most of those in attendance have worshipped me for decades. Tonight, I will reveal who I am.”
“Most already know.”
“Fewer than you think,” she pointed out. “Rumors mean nothing without proof. For now, I am just Gwen, the daughter of that idiot, Velda. Tonight, I will unveil my identity and let the world know their goddess is back and will lead them how they should have been all this time. I know you are upset with me, for killing your so-called adopted father—”
“Amongst many other things,” I said, cutting her off.
“You will come around,” she said, her lip curling.
“Why do you even want me as king?” I pressed and her composure shifted, eyes widening.
She turned her back, walking to the long gown hanging from the wardrobe. She lifted her fingers through the fabrics, admiring the crystals embedded into the dress. “I am starting anew. You have been loyal, until recently anyway, and…”
“You need a vampire on the throne with you,” I deduced.
“It is more than that,” she snapped, keeping her back to me. “We were fated, you and I. I will have what I want, and you’re going to help me get it.”
For a moment, I could swear I heard a hint of pain and desperation in her tone. She could choose any other vampire to come on the throne, despite not truly needing one, although it would make her more accepted with the people if she did. No, there was more to this and if I knew Salenia, this was all a game to her. Like everything else had been in the years I knew her. If I wanted to find out more, then I had to give her what she wanted.
I sped to her, her breath hitching as I grabbed her waist, tugging her ass against my groin, bringing my teeth to her neck. “I will never be your puppet again,” I divulged, my fangs scraping her skin. “I will never let you fuck me over again.”
“Good,” she whispered, her muscles tensing as I pulled away.
“I’ll agree to bring the mortal with me, only to show you that you’re wrong.” I headed for the door, but paused before opening it. I needed her to trust me if she was even capable of that. I thought back to the moments we shared, and she wasn’t as intimidating as she wanted everyone to believe. I’d dominated her more than once, and she liked it. She wanted something from me, and I had to find out what it was. For my sake and Elizabeth’s. “Try not to get too jealous, tonight,” I stated. “We both know it brings out the worst in you.”
She clenched her jaw, and I smirked. If she wanted me to pretend to care about becoming king, or her, I would not do a one-eighty on the way I’d been with her recently. She had to believe I was still angry, playful, and able to be seduced by her. I let out a long exhale, then dragged my eyes from her lips to her full chest, then wide hips. I opened the door, leaving her to find Elizabeth. She was only safe from Salenia if the goddess believed I didn’t want her. But I couldn’t protect Elizabeth from the rest of the castle, or the aniccipere. I had to get her out.
SIX
Niall
Elizabethlookedatmeacross my room, her emotive brown gaze connecting with mine as the final of the sun's beams shone through the curved window. I walked across the crisscrossed shadows of the led on the floor and pursed my lips. There was so much I wanted to say, but I didn’t know where to start. “Elizabeth.”
“Niall,” she said, matching my tone. She lifted herself off my bed, swinging her legs around until she was sitting up. “You’ve been avoiding me.”