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“Right now, you’re not a king but the man in my room kissing me. And if you want another, you will release my friend.”
He snapped his fingers, and Palla almost fell. She turned into a mess of thrashing limbs as she drew her sword and waved it.
“Do you want me to slice him?” she asked, retreating from him.
“You can’t kill the King,” I said softly.
“Right now, he’s not a king but the perv who pushed his way into your room.” Palla scowled.
“I liked your friend better when she didn’t speak.” The King’s glare had me worried for Palla.
I slipped between her and the object of her ire. “It’s okay. You can go. I’ve got this.”
“Leave you alone with him?” She offered our monarch a glare over my shoulder.
“I’ll be fine. The King and I have unfinished business.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for his kind of business?” Palla whispered. She knew my secret.
“Go. I’ll scream if I need you.”
“I wouldn’t come in if you hear screaming,” was his deadpan reply.
It shouldn’t have made me shiver, but it did.
Palla left and nerves assailed me. What was I doing?
I whirled from him, suddenly nervous. My safe space appeared gaudy as I tried to focus on anything but the man watching.
“Do you enjoy your work?” he asked.
I shrugged. “In a sense. It keeps me housed and provides food and clothing.”
“What of your dignity?”
I whirled. “Dignity? I’m sorry, would it have been better for me to remain a beggar in the street? One constantly in fear of being raped or killed.”
“That doesn’t—”
I slashed a hand. “Don’t you dare claim it doesn’t happen in your city because it does. And to children. I was a child when I was attacked. It was only because of my mentor I escaped unscathed.”
“Only to choose to sell it later on.” His lip curled.
“Better to sell it for a price than have it taken by force. It’s easy for you to judge, sitting in your castle, never having to worry where your next meal is coming from.” My sneer and speech couldn’t be stopped. “I’ll bet you never had to hide in the sewer because of the men who wanted to hurt you. Never had to steal from laundry lines to clothe yourself.”
“You could have gone to the orphanage.”
My mouth rounded. “Do you have any idea what happens to those children? Let’s just say it was better to take our chances in the alleys.”
His lips flattened. “You’re—”
“Don’t say lying because you’re the one who doesn’t know the truth. The one who believes the sycophant councilors whispering what you want to hear.”
“If the orphans are being hurt, I will stop it.”
“The same way you’ve stopped the monsters?” I mocked.
“What would you have me do?”
