Something about that look made me realise that Kaelith probably wasn’t used to having people talk back. I saw the way that creature had reacted when Kaelith was angry. I was starting to see through his facade of warm smiles, calming British-like accent, and cosmic eyes.
“I do hope my healers did a good job. I see they did wonders on that beautiful face of yours. Not a scratch remains.”
He reaches over and strokes a thumb over my cheek where the creature had sliced my face. I flinch at the sudden contact, pulling away whilst forcing myself to smile. What the hell did he think he was doing? Was it a weird custom here that they felt like they could touch whoever they pleased, whenever they pleased?
“They did fine,” I mutter.
“You know,” he continues, clearly ignoring my discomfort as his star-kissed eyes slowly drift down my body. “I had wondered what could have possessed Korithax to take a mortal as his bride. But now, I fear I understand. You are… lovely to look at.”
He inhales deep, and I suppress a shudder. “And you smell absolutely divine. Fruit, lavender, with a hint of spice.” He slowly licks his lips.
“Thank you,” I mutter, rising from the chair. “I think I’ll go find Korithax now. Thank you for your hospitality, Kaelith.”
I bow my head slightly and turn, but as I go to take a step, his hand lashes out, grabbing my wrist and tugging me back. The sudden force causes me to stumble backwards, causing me to awkwardly fall into his lap. I instantly try to stand back up, but he wraps an arm around my waist, holding me securely to him.
“You, my dear,” he murmurs against my ear, trailing a hand up my thigh, “are a prize I am not so sure I want to return. Would you prefer to stay here and be my queen instead? I can give you anything. Power. Wealth.” He drops his voice an octave, his voice almost rumbling. “Incredible sex,” he mutters against my ear, placing a cold, soft kiss beneath my lobe. “I bet I could make you scream so loud they’d hear it across the cosmos.”
I suppress a shudder from the feel of his cold lips against my skin. His hand pushes under my skirt, slowly trailing higher and higher until I feel his fingers brush against my panties. I squirm against him, trying to release myself from his grip.
“I strongly suggest you take your hands off my wife before I cut them off and burn them to ash, Duskwalker.”
Kaelith jolts, and I lift my head to see Korithax standing in the entryway, his face an unreadable mask of fury. He releases his grip on me, quickly shoving me to my feet. I stumble forward, just catching myself before I land straight on my face.
“Korithax, it’s not what it looks like. She came on to me.”
My head whips to him as my mouth drops open in disbelief, but I can’t get a word out fast enough.
“She kept saying she wanted my realm, not yours,” Kaelith adds hastily.
Korithax laughs, the sound booming through the chamber, cold and sharp.
“Kaelith, I know my queen. And I know that despite how pretty your realm is, she loves the dark and corruption that comes with Hell. Not pretty stars and obnoxious rulers. And most importantly,” his eyes travel to me, “she loves me.”
A scream tears through the air, and I turn my head back around to Kaelith. My eyes go wide as I watch as fire crawls up his legs, a black flame lashing up his body.
“Since a verbal warning did not suffice,” Korithax says coldly, “I hope this does. Next time, I will kill you, Kaelith. I warned you not to take my words as a bluff.” He steps forward, extending a large hand to me. “Come, Daisy. It’s time we took our leave.”
I place my hand in his, his grip punishingly tight as he escorts me from the throne room, Kaelith’s screams following us on the way out.
Chapter 32
Korithax
I’m seething, dragging Daisy through the corridors of Kaelith’s cursed palace, my grip ruthless on her hand.
Fury rolls through me like a storm, thunderous and unrelenting. Her otherworldly golden attire glows faintly in the dim light of the realm, but I can barely look at her without seeing red.
“Korithax, you’re hurting me,” she whimpers, trying to pull away from my grip.
I ignore her, my jaw clenched so tightly it aches. When we reach our suite, I throw open the door and practically shove her inside. She stumbles, nearly falling over.
“What the hell, Korithax?” She snaps.
I don’t answer. I storm into the bathing chamber and grab our pack, slinging it over my shoulder. When I return, I reach for her again, but she evades my grip, stepping back once, then twice.
“Daisy,” I snarl, “it’s time to leave.”
She shakes her head. “No. That wasn’t okay.”
