Five
Aeryn
The guard shifted on his feet, eying me warily. He hadn”t wanted to seek out Greer, but the reminder that she’d personally said the guards would find her if we needed anything did the trick.
Greer came down the hall to where I was waiting just outside my door. “What is it you need, Lady Aeryn?”
I glanced up and down the hall to ensure the other contestants had gone inside their rooms. The last thing I needed was one of them coming out of their room.
Lowering my voice, I said, “I must speak with King Nox. Privately.”
Greer”s eyes widened fractionally. She opened her mouth but no words came out. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “Forgive me, m”lady, but the king is–”
“Busy, I know. It”s a matter of some urgency.” I tried for an imploring look, hoping she”d take pity on me. I needed to try again with Nox before the actual trials began.
With a resigned sigh, Greer dipped into a curtsy. “I will inform the king of your request, m”lady.”
“There”s no need for that.” Lorne’s cool tone startled me.
Where in the world had he come from?
He strode forward, an insolent grin turning up the corners of his mouth. “The king is otherwise occupied. I”m sure whatever business you have with Nox can wait. You each have an appointment within the hour.”
Curse this male and his smug superiority. “With all due respect, sire, this matter does not concern you.”
“I think it does.” He moved closer and Greer shuffled back, clearly wanting no part of this.
“You forget, Aeryn. You are here to compete, nothing more. Well, except maybe to entertain us.”
I bared my teeth in a mockery of a smile. Like an actual lady of the court, I should have lowered my eyes when confronted by a royal. Something wouldn”t let me.
Finally, Lorne snorted, breaking the tension. “Entertaining indeed.”
What in the hell just happened?
“Return to your chambers and dress for the day. It will be a training of sorts. We wouldn”t want you at a disadvantage, would we?”
With that, the prince took off down the hall, barking at the guards to notify the contestants they had 45 minutes to be dressed and out of their rooms.
I took a steadying breath, my fingers trembling. Luckily, I didn”t have to give Lorne the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.
Squaring my shoulders, I turned to Greer. “If it won”t land you in hot water, please inform the king I wish to speak with him.”
Greer hesitated a moment then nodded. She stilled when I put my hand on her arm.
“Ignore what I asked if it”s something that will be taken out on you. I don”t want to put you in an awkward position, Greer, especially if Lorne will see it as you going against him.”
The brownie gave me a curious look before scurrying away, no doubt eager to escape. I could hardly blame her. I did seem to have caused upset a number of times since arrival.
Frustrated with myself, with the entire situation, I entered my quarters and shut the door behind me. Walking further in, I could see a fluffy dark pink robe at the foot of the bed.
Further across, light glinting off fabric caught my eye. Next to the robe was a shimmery ball gown of pale blue silk with silver embroidery along the bodice and full skirt. Useless frills and flounces that served no purpose other than to make the wearer uncomfortable.
I glared at the offending garment as if it were somehow at fault. To the right of it were sparkly silver embellished shoes with offensively high heels.
Then I saw the note lying near the heels: Nothing but the robe on until lunchtime when you will change into the formal gown. All contestants are expected to wear every item laid out for them.
I didn”t think so.
The memory of Dori”s lifeless body flashed behind my eyes, her pale skin turned to shades of grey. It couldn”t have been more than an hour or two ago. How could anyone be interested in playing dress up?
A sharp pang squeezed my chest and I wondered what was happening to Mirrelle.
I swiped the dress and shoes off the bed. I”d meant to take out some of my frustration but under the gown was a set of silky underthings, perfectly matched to the dress.
Those I left where they were and sat beside them before throwing my body backwards in a huff of frustration.
Staring at the ceiling, I chastised myself for coveting the pretty things. For jumping into things without thinking. For all my incompetencies that added to my inability to navigate the trials.
And, most especially, for my physical reactions to Nox.
Deep in my self-loathing, it took me a second to realize shadows were gliding across the room. Then suddenly, Nox took form at the foot of my bed with hungry eyes and a wicked smile.
“Well now, I would have arrived sooner if I”d known you were waiting for me in bed with lingerie.”
My pulse spiked at the sight of him, a heady mixture of agitation and desire. My foolish body was holding me hostage.
Nox lounged against one of the bedposts, arms crossed over his chest. The shadows clung to him like a second skin, embracing the predatory gleam in his eyes.
“You wished to see me, Lady Aeryn?” His eyebrow raised in challenge.
I scrambled off the bed, gathering my wits–or trying to.
“You seem flustered. Anything I can help with?” he inquired smoothly.
I swore his voice had a direct link to my core, and the bastard likely knew it.
Clearing my throat, I found my voice. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Oh?” Interest flared in his eyes and he pushed off the post.
My mouth went dry and I lifted my palms to halt his approach. “I”ll do better getting this out if you aren”t so close.”
Nox halted, a self-satisfied gleam in his eyes. “Alright. Let”s hear it, then.”
He seemed more malleable with my contriteness. I could work with that.
“Well, Your Majesty–”
“Nox,” he corrected. “When it”s just us, Aeryn, you”ll call me Nox.”
I wet my lips and Nox inhaled sharply. I was very aware of my body, more aware than I”d ever been.
Each time in his presence was more intense than the last. I felt amped up, almost high.
“Are you using magic on me?” I blurted, not at all what I”d meant to ask.
The king”s eyes hardened. “Excuse me?”
“I”m having trouble speaking to you, but not to anyone else. It”s never been a problem for me. My thoughts are jumbled, not focused on what they should be, and my ... my reactions, how I”m feeling, um, physically, has to be unnatural.”
Cocking his head, he swept his gaze up and down my body. “Are you meaning to say that my presence turns on your delectable body so acutely you cannot think? And because you”ve never had such reactions you assume I”ve used magic on you?”
“Well, yes.”
“I”m not sure if I should be incredibly offended or flattered.”
“I mean no offense. I”m just trying to get a handle on things.”
His tongue touched one of his canines. “No, little hellion. I”m not using any of my powers to make you feel what you”re feeling. That”s all you and it”s completely natural.”
The king prowled closer, tugging on a strand of my hair. “I don”t think that”s why you asked to see me, so why don”t you get that part over with and then we can move on to more interesting topics.”
I took a step back and Nox took the hint, returning to lean against the bedpost. Something about that lean really got to me, but he was giving me a chance to speak plainly so I needed to take it.
“As you know, I was not drawn from the names. Sofiya had no desire to be chosen for the trials and neither did I, despite how I tried to take her place.”
“I”m well aware,” he smirked. “I assume there”s a request you wish to make?”
“Sofiya and I aren”t queen material. I know we”ve only been here a short time but surely you”ve been paying attention.”
Nox”s lips flattened. “The selection process, the magic we put behind it, did not allow for anyone to be chosen who could not fulfill the role–or give me heirs worthy of the crown.”
Give him worthy heirs? I pictured Zoriyah”s haughty face. “Surely you jest. Some of the contestants are backstabbing, power-hungry harlots.”
“None of those traits mean they”re incapable of fulfilling the duties of a queen. In fact, the trials can prove their ability to handle the pressures of the throne.”
“But to raise younglings who are worthy?”
“I”d never allow a backstabbing, power-hungry harlot to raise my offspring. She needs only to help me produce them.”
I had no idea how to react to that. And I really didn”t need my mind to conjure thoughts of him in the act of trying to produce his heirs.
Gathering my courage, I made my request. “Send me and Sofiya home.”
His face grew dark. “Absolutely not,” he denied moodily.
“Why not? We come from a farming village. We don”t fit here. We aren”t warriors. We aren”t interested in fashion or expensive things. And we have no experience with the politics of the kingdom.”
“Your background doesn”t matter,” he stressed.
“I would be an enormous disappointment to you. As your wife, I”m sure you would find me lacking in every way.”
Gods, why were those words more difficult to say than the others?
Nox closed in on me until I was backed up to the wall. Heat rolled off his frame, enticing and seductive.
“I highly doubt that”s possible, little hellion,” he murmured.
“You”re not taking me seriously.”
“I assure you I am. I take everything you say and do very seriously.”
“Then send me back to Greenhollow where you never have to look or think of me again!”
He stood motionless, not so much as blinking. Red crept under his olive skin. A muscle in his jaw ticked.
“Listen very carefully to your king,” he growled, pressing into me.
I gasped as the solid weight of his body pinned me in place. My heart pounded wildly as we glared at one another.
“My father found my mother through these trials and he was a very, very content male. It was his desire for me to have the same experience.”
I swallowed. I”d forgotten Nox had only recently lost his father. His mother had died shortly after the last war, assassinated on a trip around the kingdom. Though I had empathy for his losses, I had none for his decision to continue the trials.
A calloused hand cupped my jaw. I knocked it away, ignoring the bolt of electricity at the brief contact.
Nox laughed, a low rumble that did nothing to ease the riot of butterflies in my stomach. “You have fire, I”ll give you that.”
His hand closed around my chin, grip deceptively gentle. “Here, I am the one in charge. I make the rules. And you, my dear Aeryn, obey them. Is that clear?”
I jerked my chin from his grasp, anger simmering in my veins. “I am not one of your servants.”
“Perhaps you require a reminder of who is in control here.”
His mouth descended, claiming mine in a kiss that was all teeth and tongue and hunger. A groan rumbled in his chest, vibrating against my breasts.
I sank my nails into his shoulders, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer. Nox tasted of power and danger, as addictive as any drug. My worries slid away to the back of my mind.
He pulled back slightly, lips brushing mine as he spoke. “Do you understand now?”
His hands slid down to cup my backside, pressing me more firmly against him. I felt his desire like a living thing, hard against my stomach. Heat pooled low in my belly.
Anger warred with desire, leaving me trembling. I wanted to rage at his arrogance, but my traitorous body only wanted to feel his hands on my skin.
Swallowing hard, I met his gaze. “I understand you”re a pompous ass.”
His eyes flashed, but his chest shook with his deep, masculine laugh. The sound was so beguiling I worried it might enslave me.
“And you are a maddening wench. It seems we suit well.”
Nox claimed my mouth again, gentler this time but no less demanding. And despite my anger, despite everything, I couldn”t help but respond.
Curse him. And curse me for how easily I fell under his spell.
Once my lips were good and swollen, Nox pulled back again. A smug smile curled his lips.
“Now, about these trials,” he began, putting space between us.
The pleasant haze of desire began to cool and I wrapped my arms around my ribs. “What about them?”
“Every name drawn was magically bound the moment their name was read,” Nox explained. “They cannot back out. Not unless the contestant wants to forfeit their life.”
My eyes widened. “What?” Panic clawed at my chest, and I took an involuntary step closer as though proximity might change what I”d heard.
Nox”s expression was unreadable now. “The trials are a long-standing tradition. They have endured for millennia, and are how I am supposed to choose my queen.”
“B-but the names were drawn at random!” I accused. “How can you bind us to some barbaric contest we never agreed to?”
“The names were drawn by magic,” Nox corrected. “And all who come to my court agree to abide by its rules and traditions, especially those that are magically enforced.”
“No one agreed to that!” I shouted. “And if that were true, Dori wouldn”t have been able to attack Mirrelle. She”d still be alive!”
“The rules given to you in writing were my expectations. The tie to the trials is the only compulsion.”
“My name wasn”t drawn, so that means I”m not bound, correct?”
His nostrils flared. With a roll of his wrist, Nox produced a small ivory card and held it up between his fingertips.
“Aeryn Faulkner,” he read aloud.
A delicate charge of magic wrapped around my heart. Realization slapped me in the face. It took all my self-control not to lunge for one of the daggers at his waist.
“How dare you?” I seethed. “I would never abandon Sofiya who never wanted any part of your ridiculous trials or your throne. You didn”t have to bind me to keep me here, you bastard!”
Nox”s eyes flashed dangerously. “Guard your tongue.”
“Or what?” I shouted, simmering with fury. “You”ll force me to participate? Oh, wait, you already did that. Maybe you”ll just have to trick me into backing out so I”ll forfeit my life since it obviously means so little. Is that what you want? Half of me thinks you do.”
Nox clenched his jaw. His muscles rippled and for a moment I wondered if he was the kind of male who would strike a magicless female.
But then he exhaled slowly and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You push too far, Aeryn.”
“As do you,” I countered. “Now release me from the binding.”
“I can”t do that.”
“Can”t or won”t?” It was my understanding that the one casting the spell could end it.
Nox dropped his hands to his side, regarding me with a strange mix of irritation and regret. “Can”t. The magic binding you to the trials can only be broken by death or completion of the trials.”
I stared at him, stunned into silence. Death was the only way out of this madness? Bile rose in my throat at the thought.
Nox took a step toward me, his eyes searching my face. “Aeryn, I–”
I didn”t hear anything that came out of his mouth. I only heard the swooshing of my erratic pulse, felt the lava inside destroy my control. With a cry of rage, I hurled myself at him with all my might.
Nox grunted in surprise as I tackled him to the floor. I snatched at the jeweled dagger strapped to his thigh, but he was faster and it tumbled from my grip.
Using the only weapons at my disposal, I pummeled him with my fists. “Damn you! Damn your soul right to hell!”
Nox rolled us, grabbed my wrists, and pinned them on either side of my head. I struggled against his grip, bucking and panting. Breathless and shaking with fury, I glared up at him.
A slow smile spreads across Nox”s face, though his eyes remained wary. “Feisty little thing.”
“Go to hell,” I spat.
“Not without you, it seems.”
Nox”s gaze drifted to my mouth, and a different kind of tension coiled in my belly. My heart slammed against my ribs as he leaned down, close enough for me to taste his breath.
“Release me,” I rasped, but there was no force behind the demand.
He did nothing more than search my face while gently stroking the pulse points on my wrists with his thumbs.
I was spent. Emotionally. Physically. What was happening to me? I was behaving like an animal, like the hellion he believed me to be.
I”d attacked the damned King of Falcondale! That alone should have been reason enough for him to remove my head.
Miraculously, my mind cleared, the chaotic energy having been expended on the male holding me down. Now that I could think, embarrassment warmed my cheeks.
“There she is,” he remarked cryptically.
I didn”t move, didn”t breathe, as Nox”s lips brushed feather-light over mine. Gentle, like the first time. I couldn”t handle gentle, not right now.
“Release me,” I tried again, my anger fading into a dangerous want.
“No,” he murmured, then kissed me in earnest.
A moan escaped my throat. I rose to his challenge and kissed him back, biting at his lower lip.
Nox growled and deepened the kiss, his tongue tangling with mine. Heat exploded inside me, melting my bones and setting my blood aflame.
I”d never imagined wanting something so fiercely, wanting to be devoured like this. Nothing else mattered but the slide of our mouths and the unexpected pleasure I found when he rolled his hips.
Nox shifted slightly, a hand drifted to my breast. My back arched and he nipped at my jaw.
Lips at my ear, he whispered, “No one else feels like this in my arms.”
My mind stuttered, my craving dulled. Nox nudged my face to look at his.
“What”s wrong?”
I pushed on his chest and he rolled off me to his feet. Reluctantly, I accepted his hand when he put it out to help me up.
“Prefer the bed, do you?” he quipped, reaching for me.
I spun away. “How many of the beds in this hallway do you intend to visit?”
Lines formed between his eyebrows. “Are you jealous?”
“I”m not interested in this kind of trial. If that”s what you”re after, find another female.”
“I think you are interested but you”re too scared to admit it.”
I crossed my arms, refusing to feel foolish. I wasn”t here for Nox. I had no intention of winning anything. I needed to survive, help Sofiya survive, and get back to Greenhollow.
“In case I haven”t made myself clear,” he prowled closer, backing me up to the side of the bed, “I want you. Badly.”
“Yeah, I got that message pretty clearly,” I responded, gesturing at his crotch.
He chuckled. “A message I hope was well received.”
I didn”t smile. “How many names were drawn? More than twenty?”
“You know the answer to that, Aeryn.”
“Yet you expect me to believe you haven”t already planned to have your way with most, if not all of them? I saw how they looked after meeting you.”
“By the gods, you are jealous,” Nox grinned.
A real grin, not the kind meant to seduce and ensnare. It threw me off balance.
Nox tilted my chin up, his touch maddeningly tender. “There is only one female I want in my bed at the moment.”
“I”m sure that changes moment by moment. Even small villages like mine are aware of your lecherous appetites.”
Disappointment flashed across his face. My heart stuttered.
“Believe what you will, hellion, but I”m not here to beg, tempting as it may be. And you”re right, there are others. Twenty-four more of them, to be exact, most of whom understand that if competing in the trials was good enough for my mother, it”s most definitely good enough for a peasant from Greenhollow.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, recoiling.
With that parting shot, Nox disappeared into the shadows.
My eyes burned. Damn my pride. And damn the king for his careless words. I didn”t think I was too good for the throne. Quite the opposite, in fact.
A knock sounded at the door, startling me from my brooding. I straightened my clothes, patted my cheeks, and smoothed my hair before calling out, “Enter.”
The door creaked open to reveal Raina hovering on the threshold. Her gaze darted around the room as if searching for something.
“I hope I”m not disturbing you,” she said.
I waved her in. “Not at all. Please, come in.”
Raina stepped inside but didn”t venture far from the door. She clasped her hands before her, gaze lowered. “I wanted to check on you and to thank you. For earlier today. You were kind to me when no one else bothered.”
“Of course.” I frowned. “No one would want to be left alone like that, not here. You don”t deserve the looks you get.”
Or the harsh treatment from Liam and Lorne, but I let that observation go.
A wan smile touched Raina”s lips. “You”re the first person here who”s thought so. I”m not exactly well-received in Thornewood, you see. Not like I used to be. I used to be a welcomed sight. Until I wasn”t and no one wanted anything to do with me.”
“Do you want to share why that is?”
Her gaze flicked up to meet mine. “Not today.”
“Of course.”
We stood silently for a long moment. “Was there something else on your mind, Raina?”
“Well, I thought you should know there”s more going on here, more to King Nox than he presents to the world.”
“As in something bad?”
“It depends on how you look at it.”
“I”m sorry, Raina, but I don”t understand what you”re trying to get at.”
The petite female sighed. “I know. I”m sorry.”
Hesitantly, she came up to me and took my hands, her purplish eyes serious. “Be careful around Nox, Aeryn, especially in front of others. Thornewood isn”t always a safe place to be, trials aside.”
My brows knitted at the warning in her tone. “What do you mean?”
Raina shook her head. “Just trust me on this.” Her eyes gleamed with something like fear. “Promise you”ll be cautious.”
“I”ll be cautious,” I assured.
“In front of others, no matter who it is,” she insisted.
“Yes, I understand you want me to use caution around the king no matter who is nearby. I promise.”
Raina”s posture relaxed and she offered me a grateful smile. “Thank you. I should go. They”ll come for us soon.”
Shit. Right.
Raina slipped out the door with a parting nod. I stared after her, wondering how a female who was obviously so lonely could still show such kindness.
As I undressed and put on the robe, I ruminated on what Raina was hinting at—and on what else I would come across in this godsforsaken castle.
When my memory tried to push the feel of Nox”s body on mine, I slammed it back to the recesses of my mind. I had more pressing problems to worry about.
Wadding up the note and tossing it aside, I wondered who I”d have to argue with over keeping my underwear on under the robe.
Seeing where the wad of paper landed, I wondered where I could get my hands on a saw.