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“Are you a seductress, come to lure me away? A siren on land, perhaps? A succubus?” King Araki's mouth grazed my cheek, and a light shiver skittered down my spine. I forced myself to carry on moving with him and not freeze.
“If I say yes, will it work?” I teased. The words tasted vile on my tongue. Part of me wished I could kill him right where he stood. I'd drag his body, bleeding and dying, to the dais and make him slump at my feet, the way he had with my parents all those years ago. His blood would pool on the glossyfloor, turning the too-perfect ballroom into something more nightmarish.
“A man doesn't divulge his secrets,” Mischief sparkled in his eyes.
“And a woman never reveals her true agenda,” I smiled playfully.
“Maybe we're more suited for each other than we realize,” he grinned, his dimple appearing.
“I don't think the women in this room would want to hear that. I think you'd have half of your kingdom running out in tears. They'll become sirens after they leap to their watery deaths, overcome with desire for the king. Maybe you'll be forever haunted by the ghosts of your poor choice,” I quipped.
“You think you're a poor choice?” King Araki tilted his brow.
“Yes,” I said, still the teasing, flirting seductress I pretended to be. “A terribly poor choice. I'll miss you, fill your head with further promises of desire, and leave you wanting me before I return home.”
“Then at least have one night with me,” The King whispered huskily. My pulse jumped traitorously.
“I bet you say that to everyone, Your Majesty,” I averted my eyes coyly.
“I only want you to hear it right now,” He drew my body closer, feeling his sinewy muscles beneath the layer of clothes he wore.
His arrogance made me want to punch him to see how hard his facade would crack.
“One night, then,” I whispered, meeting his gaze, “One night with me. It will be one to remember.”
“I don't doubt it,” His lips tipped upward, his expression flirtatious. I purposefully arched against him, and he groaned softly against my cheek. Men. So easily weakened by a woman's body and a few purposeful movements. Wrapped within the moment, I wasn't even sure we were dancing anymore.
“Take me away now. Forget this whole pompous ball affair. Let me show you how I can make you feel, Lady Nala,” He murmured close to my ear.
The name reminded me sharply that while I considered punching or killing him where he stood, I couldn't let the pretense of flirting with him distract me. Nala waited for me back home, along with Opaline, Briggs, and the rest of the coven, depending on my success.
I pulled back, stiff as I forced myself to recall the extent of my mission. Seduce, kill, and return home victorious. I could seduce without the unnecessary proximity. “Your Majesty, I believe you're in high demand tonight.”
“Then I'll find you soon,” King Araki's eyes were intent and full of promises as they watched my face. I gave a slight nod, and he took my hand, pressing a chaste kiss to my knuckles, sending tingles up my arm. I smiled shyly at him and started to distance myself as a crowd of hopeful dance partners slowly swallowed him up. Judging eyes followed me when I returned to the refreshments table. The itch to wipe my hand and cheek where his mouth touched filled me and made my stomach curdle. I restrained myself instead.
Busying myself with snacking, I watched King Araki spin several other girls around the dance floor. Each one giggled athim, blushing and beaming when he pulled them closer, mouth against their faces, soft words on his lips, no doubt the same lines he gave me. I almost pitted them, falling for simple foolish words. If they were clever, they would've known he possessed a collection of lines saved up for a good night with a naive woman.
I hated that I was pretending to fall for them too. But it was only a game. It was only ever going to be a game. One night, in exchange for a lifetime of freedom I should have always had.
I wondered if the king would remember me after being so quickly catered to by everyone else. I wondered how many others the king offered the same invitation.Stay a little longer tonight. I'll find you.
My kingdom is yours.
You're not like the other women.
I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to the magic around me. Magic danced to its own scene in the ballroom. It swirled and writhed within the guests, reaching out with different colours and testing how other magic tasted. It was a living. A real, tangible thing, all craving that one taste from the king himself. Perhaps he sensed the magic too. Perhaps part of his choice was who his magic complimented. Again, I found myself curious about what, exactly, his powers were.
Suddenly, going in blind made me nervous, but I believed in my skills.
Once in training, Master drained me of oxygen bit by bit. I had struggled nearly to death until I fought for my breath, kept my wits about me to yank his magic from his hold, turned the asphyxiation attack back on him, and finished my victory witha training dagger to his throat. He had grinned at me that day, kissed my forehead and complimented my growing strength.
I had borrowed magic from Nala to tailor myself for previous missions. I'd travelled over cities and oceans with stolen faces and identities, planting fake names and lives everywhere. But King Araki would know the real me. And I'd burrow down into that chasm of magic, find the root, and take it for myself if only to defeat him with it.
A streak of colour caught my eyes, and I saw Araki turn to his shadow- the fae royal guard. The guard inclined his head and whispered into the king's ear. The king grinned in return and shook his head. Pushing through, I tried to inch closer to hear their conversation, but too many people were between us. What was the Usurper saying? The guard didn't look pleased but bowed in deference.
The king headed for the glass doors that led out onto a terrace. Looking beyond, I saw stairs leading down to the garden. The king’s face was unreadable.Perhaps he isn't all lies.Perhaps King Araki was looking for the escape he told me he wanted.
But in granting me that knowledge—that he needed an escape—I understood he would be alone. He wasn't sneaking out with a woman or looking like he was trying not to be followed. He strode out without care. He was the king, after all.
