Filed to story: The Alpha Kings Hated Slave
She remembered saying she was sorry. She also remembered the king telling her curtly that he didn’t need her pity.
“Today is The Mask Festival, but it is also an introduction day. You’re getting introduced again, Danika,” he announced abruptly.
All the blood drained from Danika’s face, and she went as pale as a ghost. Tears of anger and hurt and shame and dread pooled into her eyes. Did he arrange another introduction for her? Did he hate her that much? Why would he want her to go through something so painfully degrading and shameful?
Danika squeezed her hands tight in front of her and bit her lips hard. The floor was blurry because of the tears that threatened to spill onto her cheeks. Danika always prepared herself for the worst. Always.
But hearing this made her realize she wasn’t prepared for?this.
“Y-yes, Master,” she whispered, at last, her voice hoarse.
The king watched her carefully. He read all her facial reactions to the news, but he said nothing more to her, did nothing. It was okay for her to think of anything she liked. Then his eyes zeroed in on the faint red bruise on her cheek. “Who stuck you across the face?” he asked.
The unexpected question threw her off balance. She raised her hand and caressed that stinging part of her cheek.
The question reminded her of that slave trainer, and her heart grew heavy. She’d told herself not to think about him all afternoon. Did she kill him?
But the king was waiting for her to answer his question. Her throat worked tightly as she swallowed. “K-Karandy, the slave trainer.”
“Why?”
Danika shifted uncomfortably at her feet. The king didn’t know that Baski had ordered her to stop working. Or did he? She knew he wouldn’t do anything about it, but she told him the truth anyway. She had nothing to lose. Karandy would still hurt her badly if he’d survived what she did to him.
“He’s b-been making advances on me for some time. He wants to have sex with me, and he threatens that the k-kingdoesn’t have to find out.” She stole a peek at him before she lowered her head.
The king said nothing. Danika could have sworn that his eyes darkened.
“So, today, he cornered me at the back of the palace and wanted to f-force his advances. He struck me on the cheek and tore my clothes, too, but I kicked him hard in his unmentionables and escaped.”
Silence. The silence stretched.
Danika felt compelled to add, “I hit him really hard with a wooden plank before I escaped.”
Lucien stared at her for so long that Danika wished she could read minds. She needed to know what was going through the mind of this man.
“Kneel.”
That one word had Danika’s knees hitting the ground and her heart beating faster.
He took measured steps and stood in front of her. His hand palmed her jaw, forcing her head up to stare into the bottomless pit of his cold eyes.
“Is it true? All of it?” he asked curly.
“Yes, Master.”
“Why should I believe whatever you say?”
“Y-you have no reason to, my king.”
“But you say it anyway.”
“Yes, Master.”
His callous hand caressed her collar, and panic seized her. “If I find out you lied to me, I will punish you severely, Danika.”
Danika didn’t think there was another punishment worse than another introduction amid mighty vipers that just wanted to devour her, but she kept her opinion to herself.
“Y-yes, Master.”
He released her and stepped back. “Guards!” he called, without taking his eyes away from her.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The door opened and two guards entered.
“Check on the slave trainer, Karandy, and get back to me about him when I come back from court.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” They bowed their heads and ran out.
“Rise.”
Danika rose from the floor, her heart in her throat.
He walked closer to her. “Look at me.”
She forced her eyes away from the floor and stared at his eyes. Someone could easily get lost in the blue, troubled cold sea that was his eyes.
He allowed the silence to stretch. They stared at each other, and for a moment, the world fell away.
There was no turmoil. No introduction. No slave. There was no impending pain and humiliation.
Just Danika and Lucien alone in the world, staring at each other in the eyes. Suddenly, she remembered everything they talked about that night in his room. Those questions he answered.
His scars ran so deep. His eyes were cold for so long, she was sure they would never be warm again. She oversaw his torture session. Her father roasted his genitals. The knowledge made her cringe inside and made her chest burn. That was something Danika could never imagine.
While their eyes still held, Danika knew she wanted this world. She wanted this connection more.
But the king broke it at last, and he looked away. When he spoke, his words were curt. “No matter what happens inside that courtroom today, don’t forget who you are. That will make you push for survival, even in the darkest hour of your life. Do not forget who you are.”
“King Cone’s daughter?” she asked, her voice laced with bitterness.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?