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Any warmth he might have been holding drops from his face, exciting me almost as much as it startles me. He might be known for being emotionally aloof, but I've spent years recognizing feelings before others know they're even feeling them. And this emotion is one I've found thrilling in the king.
"It'll be the last thing he ever does."
I brighten my voice, feigning naivety. "Why?"
Jaw clenching, he answers, "Because Shan doesn't have friends. He has conquests. And if he touches you, I'll fucking kill him."
I hmm in acknowledgment, "And if I touch him?"
The sound of a furious breath, nearly a growl, leaving him makes my heart race. This man hardly knows me, yet would kill his right-hand man if he even dared come close to me.
I've encountered possessiveness before, but never have I felt powerful because of it. Mich's jealousy and hatred always felt like my body was the weapon he might wield against me.
But now... I am both the weapon and the wielder, and the most feared and powerful man in our land has placed himself in front of me as my target.
"The witch queens are intimidating," he tells me through gritted teeth, abruptly changing the subject. "But ultimately, they see all, hear all, know all, and their only motivation is the continuation of life."
This confuses me, and my brows pinch to show it.
"All life," he clarifies. "From the smallest ant to the largest ghoul in the barren desert."
That can't be right. "The witches hate mortals."
"No," he scoffs. "They just don't believe that our lives are more important than the lives of others. So they never agree to anything that does not benefit every manner of being in our world."
We've always been told that the witches take every opportunity they have to trick and kill humans, Zalig or not. I can't admit that once again, I've been misled by my leaders, lest I give the king more ammunition against me.
"Sounds simple enough." I stand, smoothing the skirts of my dress down. "Anything else?"
He gazes up at me, his gray eyes looking impossibly large from this angle. In a motion that would be horrid from anyone else, he licks his lips, his eyes roaming me hungrily. My legs twitch, aching to take a step closer, to rub together- something. Any movement would be better than my forcing them to freeze in place rather than react to his impropriety.
"No, my Elva. Just remember your gloves. I'll see you this afternoon. Feel free to spend the morning however you wish."
The dismissal breaks whatever spell he cast on me, and with the freedom to finally do so, I practically run back into my bedroom, slamming the door behind me to hide until I have to come out and face the people who will decide all of our fates.
Eleven
Kairon
"You having fun?" Raya asks, setting my lunch before me in the library, pulling me from last-minute preparations and note-taking. I don't answer her question, nor wonder why she asks it. "You were smiling. I doubt it's because of the history of horticulture in Suva. What did you do?"
"I scared Elva," I admit. "Dropped a corpse in front of her."
"Kairon." She laughs. "You can't do that. She doesn't know that most of your staff are already dead. She'll believe that you actually killed someone."
"It's better that she does." I finally look up at my friend. "She can't be trusted, Raya. Her fear keeps her in line, keeps her from exploring where she ought not to, and keeps her from asking questions she shouldn't."
"Keeps her from trying to get to know you, you mean."
I groan. "Raya, don't start."
"Oh, give me a fucking break, Kai," Raya scoffs, sitting beside me and kicking her feet onto the table. "You were watching her sleep. You might not be ready to admit how deep your obsession already goes, but it's obvious to anyone with eyes. Even Shan has noticed."
Fuck.
"All the more reason to get this over with and send her on her way." There's no point in lying to Raya, but I'm sure going to try anyway.
She nods in thought. "Is that why I'm planning a ball for three weeks from now instead of next weekend when treaties are supposed to be finished?"
