Page 160 of The King has Fallen
As if I would be able to attack her through them.
Smart woman.
“Bow to the Queen, General,” a deep voice muttered from the back of the crowd. Turo, I thought.
I rolled my jaw, but reluctantly sketched a very shallow bow.
The Guards and other men shifted on their feet, clearly unhappy with my lack of respect, but they could all eat my shit.
The Queen, nose still high, let her eyes drag down my body—and for the first time, I considered my own clothing.
I was wearing a long, white shirt with loose sleeves, laced at the throat, hanging almost to my knees. But nothing else.
Her eyes scanned my shoulders, down my chest—did they hesitate at my crotch? I wasn’t sure, but smiled as if they had because it would piss her off—then down to my half-bared thighs, my calves, and feet.
I opened my arms. “Do you like what you see, your Majesty?” I asked in a sarcastic growl.
Her eyes snapped back up to my face and her lip twitched as if she wanted to sneer, but was stopping herself.
“Are you truly the General of the Nephilim, Melek Handras?”
I huffed. “I would sayat your service,but it would be a lie.”
Her brows rose slightly, and I heard a muttered curse from behind her, but she raised one hand and no one spoke up.
“You are welcome here, Sir,” she said calmly.
I pointedly looked at the bars between us, then back to her. “I can tell.”
She arched one perfect brow and her lips pulled up on one side. “I am not certain you can be trusted. But… should you prove yourself honorable… you will be freed. Eventually. Now, ask your questions. I do not have much time.”
“Where am I?” I was certain I knew, but I wanted confirmation.
“The Shadekin welcome you to our Capitol—and to the Palace. You are my guest here.”
“Do you imprison all your guests?”
“When they have conquered a continent and killed a King? Yes,” she said simply.
I huffed and rubbed my mouth to cover the smile that wanted to come at the pointed look in her eyes. But I wouldn’t give in. And the most important question burned.
“Where is Yilan?”
“She is not far. And she will be allowed to visit you when it is safe. I asked to speak with you alone first.”
My blood ran cold. “If you have harmed her—” I snarled, starting towards the bars, and in a blink there was a twist in the shadows just beyond the light cast from my windows, and suddenly four men appeared—including Turo—swords bared and marching to stand between me and the Queen.
Turo locked eyes with me coldly. “You speak one threat and it will be the last word that ever passes your tongue,” he said calmly, but with great conviction.
I raised my hands to remind them that I was unarmedand on the other side of fucking bars,but the action raised the hem of my shirt and the Queen’s eyes dropped… then widened.
I smiled.
Turo’s gaze went flat. “Fuckingpig.”
I tensed and so did he, but the Queen broke in. “Thank you, Turo. But let the General speak. Words cannot hurt me. While he is bested, imprisoned, and unarmed, it would be natural that his ego was… pricked,” she said with a hint of amusement dancing in her tone.
The Queen stepped forward and the men parted, but stayed at the front, holding their weapons.
