Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,128

stand beside you, willing to wage war with you at your side. That isn’t what you want, and those children abused by your lord outside of this tent prove that point very clearly.”

“Your side didn’t care about the loss of innocent life either, Aria. You’ve been here a moment, but we’ve endured the witches’ tyranny for hundreds of years. Your family abandoned us to the dark witches, leaving those monsters in charge of the Nine Realms, and we have had enough of enduring it.”

“I’m twenty-five years old. I have done nothing wrong to you or your people. Those witches who harmed this world are not on my side, either. As I have said, we’re fighting toward the same goal, and yet we’re not even close to being on the same side.” I winced as Knox reached around to replace the cloak I had worn with his own.

“You forget that I have claimed you, and you’re also my prisoner. You are here, and we’re fighting on the same side because you have no other choice, woman. Not a fucking word when you step outside this tent. Do you understand me?”

“Is the king afraid of his lord?” I scoffed, wincing as he grabbed my arm, releasing it immediately. I gasped, exhaling to hide the pain he’d just caused.

“I am the leader of the rebellion against your people, Aria. You’re warming my bed, even if unwillingly on your end. I will not look weak in front of my people. Not even for you,” he warned through clenched teeth.

“Does my face make you look weak?” I asked pointedly, forcing him to look at it again. “Don’t worry. You look like such a man beating defenseless women and children. Your cock can stand proudly at full mast. It’s safe from looking weak in your lord’s eyes, with how well you tamed the rabid whore witch last night; he’ll be singing your praise. If you like, you can polish your reputation by raping me in front of your army and your guests. I think it’s the one thing that you have yet to do to me. I’m sure the murderous bastards out there would enjoy watching you teach this whore a lesson, showing her where her place is by your side. Wouldn’t they? Would you like to rape me, King Karnavious? I can scream really well for you to complete the image of obedience.”

“You think I wanted to hit or abuse you?” he snarled, stepping closer to me, and I refused to back down. “I will never force you to be with me, Aria. Never.”

“I think I’m your enemy, and that you refused me your protection to make a point. You never expected me to come to harm, and yet you knew it could happen. You could have stopped this, but you chose not to. I think you’re regretting that choice, but regret comes when failure to act has already happened. It comes too fucking late to matter, which is why it is called regret in the first place.”

Coughing sounded from the front of the tent, and Killian entered, lowering his eyes, unable to stand the sight of my face. He met Knox’s glare and nodded toward the tent’s opening. Knox turned toward it, tilting his head as if listening for something.

“Greer!” Knox called, and Greer entered the tent, staring from me to Knox, before waiting for Knox to speak again.

“Watch Aria. Ensure no one touches her while I’m gone. I will return in a few moments, and then we will escort her to the village to heal the damage. No one gets in or out of this tent,” Knox growled, grabbing his scabbard and sword before leaving me with Greer in awkward silence.

“Your face is literally killing me,” Greer grunted.

I stared at him, moving to the table in silence to pull the cork out of the whiskey. I struggled to lift the bottle to my lips before Greer grabbed it, pouring a dram into a glass, and handing it to me.

“Thank you,” I whispered through the tightening in my chest.

“Next time, aim for his balls, Peasant. Leave his heart alone. It’s broken, and when touched, he strikes hard and fast to protect what little of it remains in his chest.”

“Knox doesn’t have a fucking heart,” I snorted, sitting to stare at the tent’s opening.

Chapter Forty-Three

Knox

I’d wanted nothing more than to part her thighs and bury my thick cock deep into her tight haven. Instead, I’d watched the little bitch coming undone for me. I’d never