Three Deadly Trials (Battle for The Dark King Book 1)

by VS Winters

  I swallowed against the dry lump in my throat upon approaching Rowan's bedroom door. It was easily twice the size of the door that led to my own and was an oily black color. Laying a hand upon it, it felt cold and uninviting. Like, walking through it might be the last thing I ever did. Footsteps and the clanking of armor from down the hall made me jump in my skin.

  "It's now or never," I whispered, shoving the map back into my cleavage and pushing the door open just enough to slip through. I quickly shut it behind me, pressing myself up against it until the footsteps were just on the other side. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I searched the room for a closet, a chest, just anything that I could climb into, really. Deep voices rumbled from the other side, though I couldn't make out a word of what they were saying. Did they know I was there? Surely that was impossible.

  Then again, I was in a magical Realm, full of magical jerks who kept surprising me. My eyes fell on the bed, it was high enough from the floor that I could easily slide under it. With a sigh, I looked down, remembering I was wearing enough fabric to dress the royal army. There was no way I was getting out of the ball gown on my own after it had taken a team to put it on me in the first place. Just as quickly as they had started, the voices went quiet.

  I pressed my ear against the door and heard the footsteps resume. I released the breath I had been holding inside my lungs. Trying to remember what I was looking for, I took a step further into the room. Rowan's bed was absolutely massive, like, tiny football field kind of huge. The dark black pillowcases and blankets greatly contrasted from the reserved, good-prince look he sported. Beyond the bed was an enormous desk that was stacked with parchments and books.

  At the end of the bed was a long, rectangular chest that had been adorned with fine golden symbols. I unlatched the hook and pulled it open to find an array of weapons. From axes, swords, and bows with full quivers, Rowan was prepared for anything. I shut the lid and redid the latch before making my way to the desk. It sat between a wall with built-in bookshelves that inhabited the same leather-bound book as the room Scott and I had used as a practice area.

  I scanned the desk for anything that looked like it might contain the crystal I was looking for, without any luck. The only contents of the desk were papers written in languages I couldn't understand and ledgers of all kinds. Moving away from it, I gave the room another scan. My sights settled on the mantle of the fireplace. Upon it sat a shining silver case with tiny claw feet. I gave the door a glance before making my way to it and pulling open the lid.

  Inside lay crystals of all shapes and colors. Amber was the one I was looking for, I remembered after a quick search through my memories. Harper had used that shade of crystal when he had opened the portal. He had also said something, though I couldn't remember the word. Resting my eyes on a crystal that met the color I was looking for, I pulled it from the case and returned to the desk. The papers made a beautiful crackling noise, one that only parchment could give, as I sifted through them, trying to find anything that might help. No such luck.

  Books, those are a good source of information.

  I began to sift through the various titles. Some of them didn't even have titles, while most were in foreign languages. My heart leaped in my chest as I finally found one with the words "Human Realm." written in bold down the spine. Flipping through the pages, I searched for anything to do with a portal. Halfway through the text, I heard a noise from across the room that sent the book falling from my fingers and clattering against the floor.

  "Hello?" I croaked. My throat grew tight as I noticed two glowing green eyes watching me from the far corner on the other side of the bed. The eyes grew brighter as the owner stood, moving closer to the bed. I could just make out a mass of black, silky curls in the dimly lit room.

  "Is it normal, where you are from, to go through other people's things after breaking into their bedrooms?" Rowan's voice was low and husky. It made me feel like a fly that had wandered into the web of a spider. Well, the spider was home, and I was stuck in its trap. I couldn't force my words to come out, and just stood there gawking like an idiot as he made his way around the bed.

  His stride was purely animalistic like he really was hunting me now. I didn't move a muscle as he bent down beside me to retrieve the book.

  "Human Realm? Planning an escape, are we?"

  Everything inside was screaming at me to abort the mission, get the hell out of there, and run for the hills. But my traitorous body was frozen in place. Not just from fear, I actually couldn't force myself to move. Trying to step forward, it felt like an invisible chain had been looped around my ankles. Struggling against the unseen force, I winced as Rowan took another step in my direction.

  "You're not the only one that holds power, little Witch. Now tell me," His breath was white-hot against my flesh when he leaned into an eye-level position. I couldn't fight it, not even to turn my head away. When he spoke, his voice had dropped even lower, the tone made me shiver down to the bone. "What did you think you could accomplish? I have the finest warriors at my fingertips. Did you not think about what would happen, had you managed to leave?"

  I felt the tightness holding my throat loosen, just enough for me to manage a few words.

  "I have a feeling you're going to tell me."

  His laugh was eerie as it rumbled through his chest. Something dark, and nothing like the laugh I had heard in the garden.

  "Mouthy." He said with a wicked smile on his lips. He pulled his head back and straightened his shoulder, returning to his full height. Probably a scare tactic, I figured. And it was working. My legs were trembling uncontrollably beneath the massive skirt. I was aware of every sensation as he brought three fingers brushing against my collarbone. The touch was gentle enough to make my eyes flutter shut with pleasure. He continued to move his fingers against me as he circled, caressing my exposed shoulders, and the top half of my back.

  "Had you managed to escape," he continued. "I would have hired the bounty hunter again. But I wouldn't have stopped there. You are smart, so you would have probably evaded him for as long as possible. So, I'd also pay good coin to the mercenaries in every tavern from here to the Demonlands. They might bring you back, but it wouldn't be in one piece."

  "So, you would have me killed for going home?" I tried to glare at him but only managed to do so at the bed in front of me. His spell felt like one hundred pounds of fresh sap had been poured onto me. Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion. Even his touch felt like an echo on my flesh. But he was bluffing, I could feel it in my heart. "You already caught me trying to leave, so why not kill me yourself, right now?"

  His hands shot up, snaking around my throat as he pulled his lips to my ear.

  "Are you testing me, Witch? You have no idea who I am or what I've done to your kind. The things I've seen would make you scream. Make you beg for mercy."

  "I don't beg. Ever." I snapped.

  The remark pissed him off enough to make him jerk me around to face him. His hand moved to a position in the air between us, his fingers curled in as he summoned his power, calling it to his palm with words completely unfamiliar to me. An eruption of indigo smoke and sparks flowed from his hand. The magic lifted me up, off of the floor, and moving through the air. I settled on my back, on top of his bed. As much as I had hoped it would interrupt his other spell that bound my arms and legs, it hadn't. I watched helplessly as he climbed onto the bed, hovering his massive body above me.

  His wandering eyes devoured my exposed skin, flashing brightly as he moved them across every exposed inch of my upper half.

  "Lift your arms above your head, puppet." He whispered with another brutish smirk. Hating my traitorous arms as they obeyed his command, I glared at his gorgeous face. Watching as he brought his knees to either side of my hips, I wondered if Ellie would be mad about him disrespecting her dress creation this way.

  "Don't mess up my gown."

  "My intentions are not on the gown. Unless you are speaking of removing it, which doesn't
sound like a bad idea..."

  I wished at that moment that I could pull my knees together in response to the moisture building between my thighs. Rowan sat back against his heels and smoothed his hands over my arms, starting at my shoulders and moving his way up to my wrists. With his power still weighing me down, it was unnecessary for him to hold them there, but that's what he did. I watched his lips as they parted enough for him to exhale heavily.

  Something deep in my gut told me to ask him for it, to beg for a kiss. I needed it so badly that I felt like I was being tortured inside. If only I could lean forward, just a few inches is all it would take to close the distance between us. He could easily hike up my skirt and give me what I was longing for if he would just…

  "You hunger for me, don't you?" He growled. The words were dripping with honey, feeding the part of my soul that wanted exactly that. What was wrong with me? I hated him and had from the moment I met him. It must be some kind of Fae magic, I determined. Never in my right mind would I desire someone who kidnapped me and talked to me like I was his slave.

  "Not in the least," I snapped back.

  "Lie if you'd like, but I can smell your arousal. It's all over you."

  "When was the last time you had your nose checked?"

  "Don't want to admit it? Fine, let's test it, shall we?"

  Dipping his head low, I felt his lips brush my skin. The contact brought a fresh wave of desire, stirring deep within me. An ache was beginning in my core, begging to be released. Closing my eyes tightly, I tried to push the feeling away. Rowan went even further, trailing his hand back down my arms and up to turn my head to the side. His teeth scraped against my skin, provoking a moan to escape me.

  "Your body is telling you something. Care to explore it further?" His deep voice vibrated through my skin. I bit my tongue to keep from agreeing to what he was suggesting, reminding myself that it was his Fae powers making me feel this way. Did Fae even have that kind of power? I had no idea. But it made me feel a little less wrong by telling myself they did. Rowan didn't wait for an answer before bringing his teeth to my neck. He bit down gently, sending a flood of heat and wetness between my legs.

  I was just about to crack wide open, to tell him to ravage my body from head to toe. Instead, he sat back with that devilish grin and moved from the bed. I opened my eyes to peer at him, hating the sinking in my chest as he waved his hand, releasing me from his hold. I swallowed hard against the dryness in my throat as I pushed myself up and moved away from his bed. Another wave of his hand had a fist pounding at the door.

  "In." He called. Four guards burst through the door, swords at the ready.

  Chapter Twelve

  "You bastard," I cried at him with wide eyes, terrified that I was about to be cut down by the guards for my crimes. Rowan held a hand up to them and approached me. I stared at him with a glare that could have melted that stupid smirk off of his face.

  "That's no way to speak to the future king. Now," his grin widened as he pointed a finger at the floor, "kneel, and apologize."

  "No fucking--"

  "I said kneel, Witch." He commanded once more. With a snap of his fingers, I crumbled to my knees, my chin parallel with the floor. I thought we had moved past this whole 'controlling my body' thing. Looking up at him, I could see the enjoyment he was getting from playing with me like a puppeteer.

  "Try again," he said through clenched teeth.

  With a glance at the guards, who were prepared to do anything he asked of them, with their hands still on the hilt of their swords. Looking back at him, I flared my nostrils, wanting nothing more than to tear him to pieces in front of his buddies in armor. Through a clenched jaw, I reluctantly gave him what he wanted.

  "I'm sorry for going through your stuff," I growled.

  "See? That wasn't too painful."

  I felt my body go heavy, once again under my control. Rowan offered me a hand, which I accepted, only so he wouldn't have another reason to do his little magic trick again. Once I was firmly on my feet, he motioned to the guards.

  "Wait outside, she will need to be escorted to the ball."

  Like good little dogs, they left the room in a hurry. Rowan's gaze settled on me once the door had been shut. Holding an open hand toward me, I looked back at him with drawn eyebrows.

  "The crystal," he ordered. I had all but forgotten that it was still clamped in my fist. Uncurling my fingers, I gingerly held it out to him without a word. He plucked it from my palm and walked to the tiny box I had retrieved it from, placing it back where it belonged. Well, there went my last chance of getting out of this mess and returning to my family. I could feel the tears stinging my eyes but refused to let them fall down my cheeks.

  "Now, shall we?" He sighed and returned to the professional-prince attitude he carried during the greeting in the grand hall. He held an arm out in a gesture for me to lead the way through the door. I tore my eyes away from him and obliged, did what he wanted me to, shoulders slumped in defeat.

  The guards stood in the hall, patiently waiting for us. Silence settled in as we began the trek to the ballroom as a group. It felt like I was doing some fucked-up walk-of-shame for the entirety of the walk. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to turn around and head back to Rowan's bedroom to finish what he had started. Perhaps if I told him how much I wanted him all over me, he would give me what my body was craving.

  I shook the thought from my mind as we approached the ballroom. The heavy double doors had been propped open, revealing a beautifully decorated room that was big enough to occupy a small city. Massive chandeliers, that were easily as big as my house, hung in three rows. They were dripping with gems and glittered like diamonds against the candles burning in them. Beneath the light fixtures lay a glossy, onyx floor that reflected the lights in flickers as people swept across it.

  A group of musicians played string instruments to a perfect tempo for a couple's dance. Rowan stepped to my side. I looked around him, noticing that the guards had disappeared. He looked at me with a gentleman's smile, making my knees wobble. Holding a hand out for me, he lifted a brow.

  "Care to dance?" he asked quietly.

  After what had just transpired, I wasn't sure if he was asking or telling me, so I accepted the invitation, letting him lead me to the center of the floor. Eyes of envy settled on us as he placed one hand on the small of my back while still holding the other lightly in his own. It was making it really hard to keep hating him, with him acting like less of a controlling dick.

  "Lord Blaive," I whispered with a grimace on my face. "I--uh...I don't know how to dance."

  He grinned at me, and for a second, I thought I saw a glimmer of kindness in those gorgeous eyes of his.

  "Would you like for me to make you dance?"

  "No," I snapped, looking around at the hundreds of pairs of eyes watching us. "I just thought you should be aware that I'm about to make a fool out of us."

  "Speak for yourself," He chuckled and began to pull me in strides across the dance floor. I felt like he was taking it easy on me, as I found it easy to follow his steps while we danced. Twirling me with one hand I let a laugh slip out of me, which made him smile. It felt almost comfortable with him leading. I was sure that I would look like a headless chicken without him to guide me.

  "You seem to be enjoying yourself," He grinned and pulled me close, after twirling me around, causing my skirt to billow around both of our legs. I allowed him to press my palm against his hard chest. My eyes followed the movement before traveling to meet his dazzling gaze.

  "It's not the worst thing I've ever done."

  I don't know how long we had been dancing, nor how many songs the band had played since the start, but I knew I felt content in Rowan's arms, like I was floating and he alone kept me grounded. A flash of his lips pressed against mine played through my head as he smiled, my heart fluttered with each step. Every time his skin brushed against mine as we swayed, I thought about being in his room, and him on top of me. My body craved mor
e.

  Rowan lowered me into a dip. I let my head fall back, extending my neck so that it was fully exposed to him. His lips brushed against it, like they had in the bedroom. The touch sent a fizzle of electricity through my veins. To my disappointment, it was cut short when he pulled me back up to finish the dance as the music died out. Applause erupted around us, and I wasn't sure if it was meant for Rowan and me or the band. We bowed to each other formally.

  "Ava would have loved this place," I said, finishing the bow and standing upright. Rowan clasped my hand in his own. I looked down at our fingers as they entwined.

  A sinking feeling in my gut cut through my joy. With a sharp jab that went straight up into my heart, I knew shouldn't be having fun. Certainly not with the man standing in front of me. My father was at home dying, if not dead by now, while I left my sister to take care of him by herself. The smile faded from my lips, and I took my hand from Rowan's to pull away. He tilted his head slightly to one side, a look of confusion was tight on his brow.

  "Something wrong?" His voice almost sounded genuinely concerned. I shook my head and stared at my reflection in the glassy dance floor. I was a fraud, a pretender that had been dolled up and made to look like a princess while my family suffered. Perhaps I should have let Ava come in my place. Dealing with this bullshit might have been easier on her than getting abandoned by her older sister and left with a father who had all but run out of time.

  "No, I'm fine." I lied and turned to leave. Rowan's hand caught my elbow. Much to my surprise, this time, it was gentle, unlike the normal demanding touches I was used to when concerning him.

  "You aren't fine. You mentioned your sister, Avangeline, correct?"

  "I said I'm fine," I muttered and pulled my arm out of his hold. Rowan's eyes glistened in the flickering candlelight as he allowed me to do so. I could feel him watching me as I scurried from the ballroom. Pimea tried to get my attention from several feet away, but I pretended I couldn't hear. The world was changing. I felt like I was becoming another person and couldn't stop it. This realm was messing with my mind. I could hear footsteps following me as I walked back through the double doors we had come in.