“Just as Maaz required. She offered to bind herself to me, to covenant with me instead of Sadal Melik. She will never be his bride.” I press my lips into a thin line. “Though I’m not entirely sure she knew what she was doing.”
Navi peers up at the shattered window. “There will be time to explain when she’s recovered. When the kingdom recovers.”
“I want all the border patrols strengthened, men stationed at every tower,” I say.
“Of course, Altair.” Navi dips her chin sharply.
I meet her emerald gaze. “Maaz will be back. She’s lived for an eternity, a small hiccup in her plans won’t drive her away for long.”
“And we’ll be ready for her,” Navi says firmly. “This time.”
“I pray we are,” I whisper.
I watch, eyes sorrowful, as the healers maneuver Verity onto a stretcher and lift her gently. Her soft groan echoes through the throne room and my brows furrow at the sound. Pain lances through my heart as I picture the moment she saved me from Maaz’s blade. It’s my fault she was so close to death. Guilt mingles with sorrow, coiling like ice in my heart. She disappears from view as the healers carry her into the hallway.
I turn back to the window. Maaz’s blood stains the remaining shards. A wild and dangerous grin splits my lips. Maaz won’t be long for this world. Not when I’ve been restored to my power and have every motive for revenge.
Maaz will feel my wrath soon.
And I’ll make sure that it will hurt.
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Destined for The Fae King
(Mated to The Fae King - Book Two)
About the Author
Bailey Dark is obsessed with all things dark, hot, and supernatural. From Fae to Aliens, her heroes are thoroughly alpha and pure raw masculinity. When she’s not writing (which is hardly ever) she’s busy watching every movie in the marvel universe, or binging supernatural on her couch. So come along, and enter her dark world. . . .
https://www.baileydarkromance.com/
Also by Bailey Dark
The Beast King’s Bride - Warlords of Farian Book 1
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Chapter One
Daphne
“Mm-hmm,” Vania said through a mouthful of avocado toast, crumbs tumbling to the tabletop. I rolled my eyes at my best friend. “That would turn me on, too.”
“Oh, gawd, that’s not what I meant. I wasn’t saying seeing him beat the shit out of Rhone would rev me up. I just meant—”
“Oh, you just meant you would melt in his arms and do anything he wanted after he bashed your boss’s face in. And, I mean, anything, Daphne…” Vania grinned and flicked a baby carrot at me. I caught it deftly and popped it in my mouth. I slowly grinned as a slight breeze from the courtyard garden ruffled my blonde hair. My best friend’s brown curls were a bit messy from the debauchery of the night before…she had made that walk of shame all the way to work on time.
“All right, maybe I would be a little more willing to explore, if he was, you know, detail-oriented…” We giggled. I sighed. “It’s just been so hard. Rhone is incredibly difficult. I had to stay at work late every day the last two weeks, and I am still running behind on the deadline for the Flores account.”
“Rhone is such an asshole. Why can’t you just tell him off?”
“Are you kidding me? I know you have never seen him, but there’s just something…scary…about him…” Rhone was a towering figure in my office doorway far too often. He was over six feet tall, with the broad shoulders of a swimmer or climber, clothed only in high-end designer suits. His facial hair was finely groomed, his black hair slicked in a wave around his piercing black eyes in a starkly pale face. I shivered, imagining how he could skewer me with just a look. “He takes private martial arts classes, you know.”
Vania sat up straight, setting her tea down hard. “Do you think he would ever actually harm you?”
“Of course not!” My protest was without hesitation, but a tiny thread of doubt trilled through my body. No…no, of course not. He will never actually hurt another person. He just enjoys the intimidating aura he has. Over his employees, over his clients, even over the bike messengers. We are all just caught up in his Rhone-sphere.
“Ok.” Vania took another bite of her lunch. “So, tell me more about this super-hot, super-suave boyfriend that will come to your rescue and then rev your motor, gladiator-style. If he doesn’t show up soon, you can always ask Sean to confront Rhone for you.”
I rolled my eyes again. “Sean is a mess.”
“I know you’re afraid to lose this job, since you’re paying for your brother’s loans, but really, Daphne. This job is killing you. Does Sean make things easy on you ever?”
“He never has.” My stepbrother had always been a little too impetuous for life to treat him fairly. He was always chasing his next inspiration, be it a girl, business, bike, college, or real estate. “I love him, regardless. I really think this next brilliant idea of his will take off—”
“Just make sure it isn’t your money on the line, this time.” Vania’s green eyes were serious.
I consented with a nod. “I just think—” My cell phone rang. I picked it up, groaned, and looked up at the clear midday sky, taking a deep breath. “Hello, Rhone, how can I—?”
“Get your ass back to work. You weren’t supposed to take lunch today. I need that Flores report.”
“I am almost done, Rhone. I will be back at the office in ten minutes.”
“I know you are in the gardens with that twat friend of yours, Vania. Be in my office in three minutes.” Click.
I slumped forward, the phone in my lap as I took three deep breaths. I focused on a blooming rose bush beside the table, pretending I could inhale its bloom and
