“Why the fck not!” he demanded.
“Because you don’t need to. I am not your responsibility and you shouldn’t be letting guilt guide your actions.”
“That is not why I am doing it 'n' ye fcking know it. Now answer me wi' th' truth!” he snapped, which is when he needed to know the reason why. So, I took a deep breath and said,
“Because I am already claimed.” At this he jerked back and said,
“How? Yer human ‘n’ it’s against th’ law in yer world,” he said, telling me without saying the words that it obviously wasn’t the case down here. Which is when I admitted,
“I am not who you think I am.”
“Aye ye are.”
“No, I’m…” I started to tell him but he cut me off,
“A princess, aye, I know.” Hearing this shocked me, and I was about to ask how when he said,
“I can smell royal blood when I know it, besides I know nae all this fuss would be over just a human girl who woke up one day in Hell ‘cause a witch has a grudge…I know I may look lik' a have thick scales bit I kin easily piece together th' truth…besides, yer be a shite liar.”
“You’ve known all this time?”
“I suspected aye, but then I met ye, saw how fearless ye were 'n' knew ye had grown up aroond demons. Now we maybe in Hell bit even gossip travels down 'ere 'n' when th' King of King’s Chosen One gives birth tae a human baby, then aye, we have heard of ye. Besides, I knew when I tested yer name that 'twas ye, as ye didn’t deny it,” Trice said, telling me all the things I knew I had done wrong.
“So, you know that I am claimed then.”
“No.” he stated surprising me again, which is why I questioned,
“No?”
“No news of you being claimed has ever reached down here,” he told me and I guess that made sense, seeing as I had been the one that wanted Lucius to keep it quiet for the time being. Back when I thought my dad would pop a vein and snap.
“Well, I did tell you I had a boyfriend,” I said, defending my actions.
“And?”
“And what? It means I am claimed,” I told him after shaking my head in question.
“No, it means ye fooling aroond wi’ some poncey lad, when yer need a man tae claim ye. I am that man,” he stated making my mouth drop.
“No, you’re not!”
“Why? I know ye lik’ me, Lass,” he said arrogantly.
“Well, I…err, well of course I like you but as a friend, in the same way I like Vern and Gryph.” At this he laughed and said,
“No, ye dinnae.”
“Dinnae?”
“Do. Not.” he stated firmly when I questioned his accent.
“Yes I…” At this his actions cut me off as he stepped up to me, pressed me against the wall and pinned me there with his big body.
“No. You. Don’t.” he said again, more clearly this time.
“And how would you know, huh!?” I threw at him.
“Because yer heart dinnae quicken fur them, bit only when I am near ye. Yer breath dinnae shudder fur them, Lass, only fur me. ‘N’ when I kiss ye, ye may nae realise this, bit ye moan fur me,” he said making me suck in a shuddered breath just like he said, and I already knew my heart rate was up! Damn him! And as for the last one, well, I was sure I didn’t moan…did I? Oh Gods, but now I was doubting myself!
“Well, whether you think that or not, I can’t be yours, Trice,” I stated more firmly this time.
“Why nae, tis because yer a princess, as that’s nae a problem, seeing I am of royal blood ‘n’ considered a prince.”
“Well, no it’s not that…wait a minute…you are?!” I screeched, obviously getting sidetracked here. At this he grinned big and said,
“Aye, Lass, that I be.” I released a sigh and said,
“It doesn’t matter, Trice.” He then swapped his confident grin for a frown and said,
“I told ye I will get ye out of here.”
“Yeah and you also said that I was just a job to you, remember that?”
“Och, I was talking shite then!” was his defense, making me say his name softly,
“Trice.”
“Aye, alright, I did say that, ‘n’ I was angry when I did, thinking I’d just lost me brother. Have ye never lost anyone before? Never had anything make yer so angry ye said shit ye didn’t mean?” he asked giving me the space I wanted, as he stepped away and dragged a hand through his loose hair before looking back at me.
“That isn’t the reason I can’t let you claim me, Trice, it’s just one of many,” I said in a pained tone, hating that I had no choice but to hurt him.
“Ye dinnae mean that,” he said in a hard tone.
“I wish I didn’t,” I admitted on a whisper he heard, hating that it was true. Not because I wanted to be with him in that way but hating that I had so many reasons to say this to him, when I cared about him as a friend.
“Then ye wish tae…” I put a hand up and said,
“Don’t say it. Don’t cling on to false hope, as now is not one of those times.” He growled at this and then said,
“I know how I feel fur ye.”
“No, you don’t,” I argued.
“I will nae stop fighting fur th’ right tae claim ye,” he told me, but this was when I had enough.
“Trice, you brought me here. You bargained for your soul and your brother and I don’t blame you, I really don’t…not anymore, but it still doesn’t change the fact that you did that, even when you knew what could happen to me.”
“No,” he said shaking his head.
“Yes, you did.” He growled and told me,
“I promise ye… I will try everything in me power tae prevent yer death…even if it means walking into me own…” This was when I stepped up to him, put a hand over his mouth and said,
“Don’t say it…please Gods, just don’t say it, Trice,” I begged then rested my forehead on his chest with my hands framed either side on his shoulders, knowing that I would never forgive myself if he did something foolish, like dying trying to save me.
“Fine, then I will say something else instead…” he told me and the second I looked up at him, he took me by surprise as he framed my face in his large hands and just before either of us could make another mistake, I said,
“Trice, don’t…” but then, just before his lips were crushed to mine, he told me…
“I love ye.”
Chapter 32
Play Along
The second I gasped he used it as an opportunity to deepen the kiss. And this time, I lost the fight in me. Because I felt in that moment I was going to die and whilst I kissed this man, all I could think about was one being in all the world I would never get to kiss again.
And it should have been him. It should have been Lucius’ kiss.
But it wasn’t.
It was Trice’s.
This should have been Lucius’ goodbye kiss on the edge of my death, one that felt like no-one had the power to stop. As a ruthless King wanted to see me executed and I had no idea why. And the man I loved was imprisoned with no clue as to what was going on. But then the man who had just claimed to love me, was the one kissing me now and I just let him.
And by doing so, I was being unfaithful.
I couldn’t die that way!
I just couldn’t!
Lucius deserved more than that! Suddenly my senses came back to me and I tore myself from his lips and out of his arms. Then whilst looking at the wall I told him,
“That was your kiss goodbye.”
“No, it wasn’t,” he stated firmly.
“Yes, it was, for even if I survive this, that is the last kiss you are going to give me,” I told him and then had to end it when he asked me,
“Why?” So I took a deep breath and told him something I should have from the very beginning but had wanted to spare him the pain. Because he was right, I did care about him. But it wasn’t love and he needed to know that.
The cruel way.
&
nbsp; So, I turned back to face him, because he deserved that and told him,
“Because I am in love with someone else.” At this he jerked back a little as if I had struck him and the pain on his face soon turned to one of anger. But then, as he looked off to one side, he snarled,
“Who is he?”
“It doesn’t matter now,” I said, not knowing what problems I would cause should I tell him, seeing as Lucius was currently imprisoned and obviously vulnerable.
“I want a name,” he demanded.
“Trice, it doesn’t…”
“I want a fucking name!” he roared and just then the door opened, and a few demon servant girls walked in. Ones that looked like they were also dressed for a personal Harem, in see-through dresses with more slits in than what made the dress seem worth it. Behind them were a few guards who quickly took in the sight.
Yet Trice hadn’t moved a muscle and looked beyond furious with me. So angry in fact that I found myself taking a step forward and wanting to comfort him. So, I raised my hand to his cheek, but it was enough to snap him out of it as he snarled down at me making me drop my hand. Then he turned and demanded,
“What is all this?!” He was referring to the basket of food in one of the girl’s hands and the flowing material over the arms of another. But the servants, obviously not permitted to speak, lowered their heads and moved either side to let a man inside. One I now recognised after first removing his helmet,
“Carn’reau, I might have known,” Trice growled angrily, instantly creating a fist with his hand.
“Nothing personal, shifter, as you know I was under orders…just as you were,” he said nodding towards me then, once catching my eyes, he said as way of hello,
“Human.” I rolled my eyes and commented dryly,
“If I went by that name, I think quite a few people would turn their heads, don’t you?” This made him smirk and remind me,
“Not down here they wouldn’t.”
“Good point,” I admitted.
“But of course,” was his arrogant reply making me roll my eyes, but meanwhile Trice had clearly had enough,
“What th’ fck are they doing ‘ere?”
“Well, our King heard of what happened here…” Carn’reau said pausing so he could gesture for his men to come and pull out my hogtied buddy before he carried on,
“…And well, naturally, he was not pleased. Besides it’s time she gets presented…properly,” he said nodding to the servants who were actually looking more like beautiful slaves, with shackles on their wrists as if they had been claimed by a master. Most likely the King.
“Oh goodie, he wants me to look nice whist I entertain him with my death,” I said sarcastically, making Carn’reau raise a perfectly shaped black brow in question.
“M’laird, ordered her to be executed,” Trice told him making Carn’reau looked surprised before tapping two fingers on his lips in thought before he said,
“Um, is that so…we shall see then won’t we?” I frowned at that, not exactly loving the easy manner of my death been spoken about like it was the Gods be damned weather! A death which this dark elf looking dude didn’t look too bothered by, not that there was any reason for him to but still, it irked me all the same.
“Now as for you Trice McBain, I believe your presence is requested by the King, for don’t you have a payment to retrieve?” At this he growled low as if being reminded of this in front of me pissed him off. He turned to me and looked as though he was about to say something but stopped himself and said something else instead,
“Eat something, Lass, yer stomach has bin growling at me fur two turns of th’ sky.” Then he nodded down at the food briefly before storming out of the cell looking pissed off.
Then Carn’reau looked down at my stomach and said,
“Curious little being.” Then he ordered his men to stand guard outside and left.
“Wow, well isn’t he just the smooth operator, eh?” I said looking to the two slave girls and seeing them each looking at the other in that questioning way, making me mutter…
“Wow…tough crowd.”
A little time later I found myself sat on the bed of my cell because it was the only piece of furniture that I hadn’t broken over Mr ‘once was cock proud before beaten by a girl’. Okay so granted, as far as made up names went, admittedly it was a little long. But then here I was, now waiting to be escorted to the King once more and wondering what my fate held this time. Was he just feeling impatient and wanted to get the job done quicker?
Not only that, but I was also wondering why I was now wearing a sexy white and red toga style dress? It was a sheer material but thankfully one with so many layers, that it wasn’t see through in the places you wanted to keep decently hidden. The skirt was full and trailed long behind me, with a revealing slit up to the top of my thigh exposing one leg completely.
The top part was a wide length of the same material as the skirt and twisted through the tie at the back where the skirt was knotted like a belt. These two lengths were then brought to the front, before being crossed over my breasts and over my shoulders. Then the remaining length was twisted and tied to the waist of the skirt. This style meant that it exposed an upside-down V shape from the valley of my breast, down to most of my stomach, making me look like some sacrificial virgin that I didn’t think boded well for me. Not considering the edge of the skirt that touched the floor looked as if it had been dip dyed in blood.
As for my hair, this had been brushed to a high shine, (by the slave girls who weren’t exactly big on talking, in the sense that they didn’t…as in, at all), then it was coiled up in twists at the sides allowing the length to flow down my back. Blood red lips were painted on, and a dusting of gold was brushed around my eyes, as makeup around here came in the form of an artist’s palette, and your face was the canvas.
Well, at least I am gonna die pretty I thought with a roll of my eyes. Then I spotted the dried fruit and flat bread and also thought, well there is no sense dying hungry either. So, I picked up the bread and started tearing little mouthfuls off, so as not to smudge my painted lips when something suddenly floated to the ground.
It was a note.
I remembered what Trice had said about me eating and wondered if this was why? So, I reached down, picked it up and read the single line.
It said…
‘Play along, Princess’
Now, what this meant I had no clue, but I gathered it meant that Trice had figured out a way to get me out of here and help me escape. I quickly screwed up the paper and stuffed it under a pillow the second I heard someone coming. Then I quickly stood as the door opened and Trice was walking back inside looking bleak,
“I have been asked to…” He started to say but tailed off the second he raised his head and saw me, making me blush as his heated gaze ran the length of me. His eyes even started to glow and a rumbling sound he made from the back of his throat almost made it sound as if the beast inside of him was now purring.
“Erm…Hey, Trice,” I said in a shy and unsure way, suddenly feeling very vulnerable dressed like this. He opened his mouth once and after thinking better of what he was about to say, closed it again. Then he opened it and this time, he committed to what he wanted to say,
“You nae be just a bonnie Lass, yer be fcking beautiful.” I smiled at this and had to say, even without knowing what he was about to say first, I preferred this best, as it was all Trice.
“Thank you,” I said before he reached for my hand and said,
“Come on, Lass, I have been asked to escort you to the King,” he said making me nod and put my hand in his. Then we left my broken cell and made our way through the castle together. We were back to being on the upper levels again and nearing the throne room when he noticed,
“They took off yer bandages,” Trice commented after looking down at my practically bare back and I nodded, telling him,
“I guess they didn’t think it went with the dress.” He scoffed at this in an
irritated way that seemed as if he wasn’t happy that the wound was nearly exposed.
“I wull have tae slow th’ Hex again soon.”
“Well, I guess we will have plenty of time for that, once we get out of here,” I whispered this last part just as I was being escorted by the royal guard inside the throne room with Trice by my side. But now he looked down at me and frowned before asking me,
“What dae yer mean?” I gave him a questioning look back and reminded him,
“I got your note.” Then I heard the sound of lots of people all shifting and now, unlike before, there was a sea of people all in the grand throne room that had been transformed from once plain to luxurious.
But then I noticed the King was now stood next to his throne as if waiting for something and I had to wonder if it was me? We seemed to be standing off to one side as if waiting to be called forward by the King, but the whole thing seemed off for some reason. But then something Trice had said started to creep in,
“What did you say?”
“I said I dinnae give ye any note, Lass.” At this I frowned at him and tried to piece together what was going on here. If he hadn’t given me the note, then who had? I was about to ask him this when another question replaced it. Something that was nagging at me more.
“Why does the King stand to the side like that, what is he waiting for.” I looked up at Trice who was now frowning down at me as if he couldn’t understand where this question had come from. Which was when things finally started to fall into place and it did this at two things, the first when Trice informed me,
“Because that nae be th' King, Lass.” I sucked in a quick breath and with wide eyes, turned back to him and hissed in shock,
“Then who is?!” Then the moment the wave of people all lowered themselves to their knees, I looked back to the front just as a very obvious looking King came to stand in front of his throne. He looked exactly like the demonic King you would have expected everyone to fear, all covered in hellish armour with his face covered in a matching helmet.
This was also when Trice whispered down at me, in what seemed obvious at this point…
Kingdoms Of Hell: Vampire Paranormal Romance (Transfusion Book 7) Page 26
