Chapter 30
Korithax
Iremain seated at her side, just like I have the times before.
This was starting to become something we did often, and it wasn’t something I wanted to continue doing.
But at least this time, she wasn’t dying.
She’s okay, she’s healing and breathing.
And for that, I’m grateful. But that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about ripping that bastard back from the dead just so I could kill him all over again.
Narethyx’s were Kaelith’s servants. Horrible creatures who would do anything just to please the Duskwalker, including snatching up my little flower and making her fucking bleed.
Gods, if I had a second chance at murdering him, I’d make it slow and painful.
I would peel the flesh from his bones inch by inch, listen to every scream, and watch as the terror built in his eyes whilst I tore off his wings.
I’d happily spend my time burning him alive over and over again for daring to touch what belonged to me.
I glance over at Daisy. She lies peacefully now, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm.
I pull a plush blanket up over her, careful not to jostle her newly healed body.
I should be content knowing she’s safe… but I’m not.
Because the image of her, half-naked and bloody on that bed, is seared into my mind.
When the healers removed her gown and revealed that black lace set that she was wearing…
Fuck. I nearly lost control. Even bruised and broken, she looked like a goddess.
Every lush curve, the soft roundness of her stomach, the thick thighs that I wanted to bruise with my fingerprints.
Her breasts, perfectly framed by the dark lace, rose and fell with each pained breath that she took.
It took everything I had not to kill the healers just for looking at her in her lingerie.
I tried to be a gentleman, I really did.
But the demon in me came out seeing her in such attire, especially covered in blood.
She’s turning into everything I want to devour but can never have.
I drag a hand down my face, standing from the chair. Maybe marrying her isn’t a good idea. This was beginning to get complicated. I can’t touch her the way I want to, and I have a strong fucking feeling it’s going to start becoming painful to resist.
I check her one more time, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead, then I turn to leave the room. I don’t want to leave her side, but I have a king to see. And he’ll be one lucky son of a bitch if he makes it through the rest of the night alive.
I stride into the throne room, ignoring the protests of the guards stationed outside the towering crystal-veined doors carved from stone. I slam them open, the sound echoing through the chamber.
Kaelith lounges lazily on his throne, the arrogant prick looking every bit relaxed and not at all like one of his fucking men hurt my queen. A VeliNymph—an ethereal, delicate creature tied to dream magic—is on her knees before him, her mouth wrapped around his cock as he groans.
I clear my throat as I stride towards him.
“Oh shit,” Kaelith mutters, shoving the girl back onto her ass.
She lets out a pained whimper before turning to look at the reason she’s just been discarded like trash onto the floor.
Her eyes widen in horror as she sees me prowling towards them.
Her bare breasts are on display, a small shimmer of fabric the only thing covering her lower half.
She bows her head instantly, keeping her gaze aimed at the floor, not daring to move.
“Leave,” I tell her, keeping my voice as calm as possible. She nods quickly, pushing to her feet. She bows her head once to Kaelith before scurrying out of the room.
“So not only do you kidnap my queen,” I growl, stalking forward, “you have girls who are barely adults sucking your cock? She’s practically a child, Kaelith.”
He straightens, still half-dressed, tucking himself back into his pants. “She’s an adult, Korithax. A consenting one at that.”
“Hmm, I doubt that somehow. However, I’m not here to discuss whoever it is you decide to fuck.”
He swallows hard. “I truly didn’t know who she was, Prince. The second she told me, I scolded that fool Dravik and tried to help her up. But then you arrived, creating an absolute shit storm.”
He rolls his eyes at me, and it takes every ounce of strength not to snap his fucking neck and leave him to decay on his throne.
I tilt my head, looking straight into his star-flecked eyes. “How else would a fucking mortal end up in your realm, you idiot?”
“I don’t know. I was surprised. I wasn’t thinking straight. Please—”
I step forward and grab his open shirt, yanking him off of his pretentious fucking seat until his feet dangle.
“Let us get one thing straight, Duskwalker. The only reason you’re still breathing is because it’s considered treason to kill another royal.
And the Divine Six are already too far up my ass right now for me to give them another reason to be pissed at me.
But don’t mistake that as a bluff. If any more harm comes to my queen, I’ll enjoy murdering you, consequences be damned.
” I pull him closer, his feet desperately kicking.
“Consider any weaponry deliveries from Zeriavoss postponed until Daisy herself deems you worthy. Understood?”
He nods furiously, and I drop him back onto his throne.
“Why are you here anyway, Korithax?” He asks, dusting down his shirt like something filthy touched him. Dickhead.
“I require your hospitality whilst my magic replenishes so we can move on to the next realm.”
Kaelith eyes me cautiously, running his tongue over his teeth like he’s trying to suss out if I’m bullshitting or not. “You’re travelling far from home, Prince. For what reason?”
“One that doesn’t concern you, Kaelith. So I suggest you mind your godsdamned business. I want double the supply of shadowleaf resin for the next millennia to make up for your foolishness. Do you understand?”
Their resin was absolutely incredible. The perfect sealant for any woodwork on weaponry, ensuring it never splinters.
“Yes. But do not get it twisted, Korithax. You may soon be king in your realm, but you are in mine now. I do not take kindly to threats, and I will not tolerate much more of your brutality, no matter the circumstances of what happened to your queen.”
I step closer, lowering my voice to a deathly growl, placing a hand on either side of his throne and smirking as he shrinks backwards into the pretentious seat.
“And you must not get these next words twisted. I don’t care what realm I’m in, and I don’t care who rules it.
If anybody else dares hurt what belongs to me, there will be no realm left for you to rule. ”
He flares his nostrils, the only sign of his annoyance. I outpower him in every sense, and he knows it. He dips his chin in a subtle nod. I take it as a sign of obedience before turning to leave, not bothering to show my respect by bowing.
Just as I reach the doors, I turn slightly to face him. “Oh, and Kaelith?”
He looks up warily. “Yes?”
“If I hear that you’re having sexual relations with any female who is not of age or unwilling. I will cut off your cock.”
I give him a wide, demonic smile and slam the door behind me as I leave.