I squeeze my eyes shut, my knuckles turning white. I want to believe her. But the thought of belonging to her terrifies me more than anything I’ve ever faced before.
Chapter 40
Daisy
He thought I was stupid.
And maybe a few days ago, I would’ve believed his words.
But the way he looked at me, the way he spoke to me, the way he dropped to his knees before taking me to bed? That couldn’t be faked, and I was no business transaction. Not anymore.
Korithax might be a grumpy bastard at the best of times, but he was a horrible liar.
Apparently, Sariya knew this would happen, because the outfit I just pulled from the pack was from her, with a note attached that read:
Don’t let him fool you, sweet girl. If he wants to play hard to get, you play harder. Enjoy the rest of your journey. Love, S.
She’d giftedme an outfit to die for. I didn’t know much about the realm we were heading to next, but just like Lyvia, Sariya clearly had a theme. The dress was flawless—tight, black, witha deep plunging neckline that barely contained my breasts. The long skirt flowed to my ankles, high slits slicing up both thighs. Thin straps adorned with black diamonds held it in place, and the low back exposed my back dimples. Simple, yet jaw-dropping. Shock painted my face as I caught my reflection and watched lightning strikes dance across the fabric like flickers of a storm.
Alongside the dress, she’d packed a black circlet—delicate and powerful. It sat across my forehead, a teardrop ruby in the centre flanked by thorned bands embedded with more black diamonds. A matching black lace thigh sheath held a dagger with a ruby-encrusted hilt. Paired with all of it were elegant black heels, sparkling with stardust and streaked with lightning that crackled faintly across the surface of the shoes.
A knock at the door pulled me from the mirror.
“Good morning, your Highness. I’m here to assist with your hair and makeup.”
“Come in. And please, call me Daisy.”
The girl who entered had rich bronze skin and long, beautifully styled dreadlocks woven with golden thread. Her eyes were warm brown, and her presence—like everyone else here—was calm and gentle.
“What’s your name?” I ask, smiling at her.
“Naema, Daisy,” she replies with a blush. “I was told to make you look so breathless your husband won’t be able to stop himself from falling to his knees.”
Her blush deepens, rose-gold spreading across her cheeks. I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me as I nod my head.
When she finishes, I barely recognised myself. It was the heaviest makeup I’d ever worn. Dark, smoky eyes with winged liner that made my blue eyes electric. My lips were painted a blood-red so deep it made my skin look nearly porcelain. My golden hair was in loose, cascading waves down my back. Andfor the first time in my life, I felt powerful. Dangerous. Sexy even.
If Korithax wanted to play hard to get, I’d play harder—looking like a Queen of Hell, apparently.
I thanked Naema, then stepped out of the bathroom. Korithax sat at the table, aimlessly turning over a piece of the sweet bread he’d brought in.
“Gods, finally?—”
He looks up, his mouth agape, crushing the bread in his large fist. I can’t help but smirk when a low groan escapes his lips. “Are you ready to go, my king?” I ask, letting my voice turn smooth as silk.
He clears his throat, dropping the bread and rising slowly before closing the distance between us in two long strides.
“You’re going to be the fucking death of me.”
Before I can respond, he grips me in his arms, and the horrible feeling of teleportation rips through my body. That gut-twisting, stomach-lurching sensation yanking me from Solara. We land, and I gasp. My vision flickers as the nausea rises up my throat.
“Gods, I’ll never get used to that.” I whimper, stumbling into Korithax.
He catches me easily, holding me steady.
“You look absolutely divine, Daisy.”
I smile up at him, my vision clearing. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Kori.”
