Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Was such a life even possible? Maybe? If she fought for it?
So why not fight? No one had a better chance at victory than Viori. Despite the odds stacked against her! Perseverance had kept her alive as an orphaned child, and perseverance could see her through this.
“Do I receive my reward? Because of my strength and cunning?” Micah asked, needy and hopeful. Leaning in... “Without surrender?”
Her chest constricted, the eager king eliciting the same neediness and hope inside her. She should resist, yes? At least until he agreed to her terms?
“Vee,” he breathed against her lips. He was so big he blocked out the rest of the world.
Shivers rocked her against him. “Perhaps you should get a reward.” For one night... No obstacles, no thoughts. Only pleasure. The pulse in her throat jumped. Oh, how she missed pleasure. “Not everything, but something.”
Peering at her through the thick shield of his lashes, he rasped, “What will you give me?”
She scooted closer, all but climbing into his lap. “What if I offer you one night to do your best to convince me to see things your way—while I do my best to convince you to see things my way?”
His pupils expanded, reminding her of ink spilling over parchment covered in erotic artwork. “I might refuse.”
When she flinched—ouch!—he added, “I’d want more.”
Ohhhh. A slow smile bloomed, anticipation burning through her. “Since I intend to win, I would definitely consider giving you more.”
“May I speak with you, Micah?” A familiar voice shattered the illusion of seclusion.
Irritation flared, hot and sharp. Viori stiffened and eased into her seat. Elena had returned just as events had taken a titillating turn. Micah desired her greatly. Her. Not Blue Dress. But, um, why was everyone now watching the king with varying degrees of shock and awe, as if seeing him for the first time? Some even smiled at him. With fondness. Before this, everyone only glowered at him.
To his credit, Micah appeared as annoyed by the interruption as Viori. “Unless someone is dying—”
“They might be,” the other female stated with a flat tone. “The prisoners are missing.”
“What!” He sprang to his feet, his hands fisting. Everyone around him quieted, smiles erased. Norok paled.
Viori’s mind whirled. Missing? How unfortunate. She’d hoped to question both the oracle and the mistress at some point to uncover their secrets. As much time as she’d spent with Micah, there’d been no opportunity.
Disappointed, she drained her goblet. Oh, wow, what an amazing flavor. Smooth, sweet and rich, settling in her stomach as if created to be there.
Lavina rubbed Norok’s shoulder. A gesture of comfort, but he shrugged her off, telling Micah, “I locked the two up securely. They couldn’t have gotten free on their own—that I swear to you.” Of course, his gaze strayed to Viori and slitted in accusation. So much for deciding to tolerate her.
“You caught me,” she snapped. “I sneaked away without Micah or Sabot’s knowledge.” Speaking of, where was her guard dog? She hadn’t spotted him all morning.
When Norok opened his mouth to respond, the king gave a clipped shake of his head. The second-in-command maintained his silence.
“Go to the cell and await me.” Micah’s hard tone allowed no argument.
Norok hesitated, then stood and flittered, vanishing.
“My brother isn’t wrong. Someone had to commit this crime,” Elena piped up with a pointed glance at Viori. “None of our people would dare. None of our people can. They’ve never visited the dungeon. But who knows where your little pet has been? She could’ve sneaked out of bed last night and—”
“Red isn’t responsible for this,” he interjected harshly. A statement, but also another command. The most fervent of all. Say nothing else against Viori. “She never left the shelter of my arms. This, I can guarantee.”
“Never left his arms,” Viori punctuated with a smirk. “All. Night.” Where she’d be spending this night, too. Maybe?
Micah’s shoulders rolled in. He faced her, his expression almost sad. “I must leave you, Red.”
“What? Why?” She jumped to her feet, confronting him head-on. “I can help you find and catch the traitor responsible.” And question them. But, um, wow. The ceiling and the floor were in the process of trading places. A giggle erupted. “Thanks to my glamara, I can unearth secrets.” Oops. Why had she admitted to such a special skill? Especially when she hadn’t yet employed her “special skill” against Micah.
A crease formed between his brows. A sign of confusion? Then he slid his gaze to her empty goblet. The corners of his mouth twitched. “Enjoy your party. You’ll have a wonderful time without me. I’m certain of it.” He snapped his fingers, and a servant hastened to refill the chalice. “Sabot will keep you safe.”
Her party? A slip of the tongue or truth? Was it possible he’d done this to...impress her? Wonder suffused her. “Fine,” she said. “Go if you must. You’ve scrambled my thoughts enough.” She waved Micah off and lifted her brimming cup. Time away from the sumptuous king might do her some good. Allow her to think more clearly and make higher-quality decisions.