Of Dreams and Sorcery (Royal Fae Guardians #1) - Heather Renee Page 0,66
worried he would hurt me, so I wanted to keep the attention on myself.
“Tsk, tsk, my darling. You’ve been poisoned to think the worst of me, but I promise you a lifetime of happiness with the world at your fingertips. All you have to do is take my hand and you can have all you ever dreamed of.” His voice was smooth and words hypnotic, but I fought against their power.
“You came here uninvited and killed one of my people. Why should I trust you?” I asked, while moving closer to Ryland and Jordan with my parents at my back. If anything happened to any of them, I wasn’t sure what I would do.
He raised a hand toward me. “Let me show you what I’m capable of, and then you’ll understand I’m not here to hurt anyone so long as I get what I want.” His fingers snapped, and a white light flashed around the room.
When my eyes adjusted from the glow, we were no longer in the council chambers. We were outside, near the fountain I so often admired, but only Alaryk and I had been transported from the room.
“Where is everyone?” I snapped, moving a few paces back from him. The road was empty, I couldn’t see a single Arvaytan, and considering it was late afternoon, something was really wrong.
“Your people are with mine. You didn’t think I came to collect my bride without a backup plan in case you refused, did you?” His lips lifted into what I assumed was supposed to be a grin but came out as more of a sneer.
“Wishful thinking, I guess.” With every step I took away from him, he took two more closer to me.
Stryx, where are you? We could really use some help here before this psycho kidnaps me, I pleaded through our bond, hoping like hell he could hear me in Dásos.
Just stay calm and indulge him. I’ll be there as soon as I can, Stryx responded, sounding fearful for the first time ever.
“So, what will it be, my love? Will you come with me willingly, or will you have your people slaughtered all because of your stubborn pride?” Alaryk asked when he was only an arm’s length away from me.
“Well, can I ask some questions before I decide? Ever since I arrived here, things have been decided for me, and while I appreciate that you’re giving me an option here, I’d like to be well-informed before I choose. You say I’ve only been told lies about you, so tell me why I should trust you?”
My hope was that I could convince him I wasn’t exactly happy in Arvayta, give him a little faith that I’d be easily swayed to his side. If the prophecy said I would be, he should hopefully buy my lies the first time around.
“Because you’re destined to be mine. Isn’t that enough?” he snarled, clearly angry I wasn’t showing fear and caving to his threats.
“You’d think so, but you see, I’ve also been told I was destined to be with another. How am I supposed to know who’s right? The only family I’ve ever known, or you? A complete stranger I’m inclined to get to know, but I need a reason. While I’m not happy here, I know I’m safe. Would I be safe with you?”
His hand reached for me, and it took every ounce of strength within me not to flinch at the cold touch of his fingers on my cheek. “I’d never harm you, Kaliah. I’d worship every inch of your body and give you all your greatest desires. There is nothing in all the worlds you’d ever want for with me.”
I forced myself to lean into his touch. “What would you expect of me in return for your graciousness?”
His head moved closer until his lips were nearly touching my ear as he whispered, “Everything that you are would be mine, and everything that I am would be yours.”
Cheese and rice. If I wasn’t a million percent certain he wanted to destroy the worlds with our combined powers, then I’d have a hard time resisting him. The pull he had on me was real and powerful. Whatever magic he was using wasn’t child’s play.
My eyes met his as he licked his lips before grasping my face. “What do you say, my love? Will you leave this world behind and be mine forever?”
Just as I was about to answer him, a flash of light distracted us both as a portal opened. On the