Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Do you want to go in for a drink?” Amell asks, and I realize I’ve stopped to stare.
I shake my head. Despite being with the king and knowing his absolute power here, I’m still very aware of my vulnerability as a fragile human. The one thing I’ve learned very clearly is that fae hate humans.
Well, except Amell. He most certainly doesn’t hate me.
“King Amell,” someone calls from the crowd inside. “Come join us for a drink. You don’t grace our streets nearly enough.”
Amell sighs and looks down at me. “Come on. One drink so I can make nice with my subjects.”
He doesn’t give me room to argue, tightening his hand on mine and pulling me in.
I’m immediately overwhelmed as we wind through a very thick crowd and fae press in upon him to clap him on the back or say a few words. He knows many of them by name, but I’m not introduced.
Someone shoves a cup in his hand, and he accepts a boisterous toast. I glance around and note that every single fae who looks at me does so with open hostility. I move closer to Amell, and even though he’s engaged in conversation with others, his arm comes around me to pull me even closer.
This is all well and good for a few minutes, but then I’m pushed slightly aside by a female fae pressing her body to his front and sliding her hands over his shoulders.
She’s stunning with midnight hair and golden eyes. Her dress dips low, exposing her breasts, and is cut high on her legs.
“There you are, lover,” she purrs, not seeming to care that I’m actually glued to his side with his arm around me.
My stomach pitches as there’s no doubt Amell has been intimate with this female, and I’m flooded with jealousy and insecurity. How could I ever compete with someone like her?
The scrappy part of me—the part that lived on the streets and used a knife to chase off someone if they got too close to a dumpster I was diving in—wants to push her away.
I am given no opportunity as it’s Amell who stops her. “Back away, Yvaine. You aren’t allowed that familiarity with me.”
His words are low and deep but spoken with so much power, she scrambles away from him.
She looks confused, and I’m guessing he’s never said those words to her before. Her eyes cut to me as Amell’s hand slides from my lower back to come around my shoulder, a very distinct and protective move. Hatred blazes at me, and Amell is getting good at making those who scorn my human frailty positively loathe me. It’s clear I am special to him.
“Citizens,” he says above the chatter and music, and the room silences. “I thank you for the drink, but I have duties to attend to. Let it be known, in case it hasn’t made its way to the city streets, this human is under my protection. Any ill will done to her is done to me. Hate her, you hate me. Touch her in anger, you touch me in anger. Cause her harm, and that harm comes to me. The penalty is the Crimson River, whether you look at her with malice or you break her neck. There will be no exceptions.”
The crowd is utterly silent, and my face heats so hot, sweat beads on my forehead. I glance around, and every fae who returns my stare has a smile on their face. It’s so ridiculous, I almost laugh.
Amell takes me by the hand and pulls me out of the bar. We’re three blocks away when Amell glances down at me with a smirk, and I can’t help but giggle. He laughs and shakes his head. “Don’t take it personally. They were all told an eternity ago to hate humans, and even though most of them have never met one, it’s ingrained.”
“Okay,” I say, just glad to be out of there.
“And Yvaine…” To my surprise, he sounds distinctly uncomfortable.
I rush to reassure him. “If you want to sleep with her or any other, I won’t be mad. That’s your prerogative as king.”
Amell stops in the middle of the sidewalk, others flowing around us, and glares at me. “You want me to sleep with other females?”
“Well, no… but… I really don’t have a say in such matters.”
“But you do,” he rumbles, his hand under my chin. “I could tell you were not happy when Yvaine touched me. I felt it. And I don’t want you to be unhappy here.”
I melt a little at his proclamation, but I need clarity. “I don’t know how life works here. I’ve learned enough to know that fae have high sex drives, and you’re indiscriminate in taking lovers. I know as king, you should have what you want. I also know monogamy isn’t a thing. I just want to fit in safely, that’s all.”