Ruins of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #3) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,207

in his jeweled sapphire eyes. He released my nipple, slowly sliding his fingers up to brush over the mark on my throat while he surveyed me.

“Who says I am playing a game?”

“I do. There’s also the fact that Knox is standing outside the door. So too, are all of your brothers,” I laughed soundlessly. “I can smell them as they listen to the sound of my voice, my tone becoming huskier as you taunt me with the lust your words created. I can hear their hearts beating at a rapid pace as they anticipated the noises I would make for you.”

I lowered my hand, stroking over the very large, very hard cock I’d known I’d find. Brander’s scent became stronger, more primal, and I tightened my grip until he swallowed a growl of pain. “I can sense my mate fighting against the shell that houses him, needing to rip into my flesh to remind me I am owned and marked. I can smell the pre-come of the other males who are turned on by my scent, itching to throw me down and take what they want. I know six men within five feet of me desire to fuck me. Maybe since you think I’m such a whore, we should invite them all to take a turn on me? Do you share your women with them? I mean, I only have three holes, so of course, you’d all have to take turns fucking me. But hell, why not, right? I am just here for your amusement, after all. I am nothing, nor worth more than the orifices you and your brothers wish to fill. Right, Brander?” I whispered through emotion that tightened my throat. “If you were to have theme music playing right now, it would be Billy Squier’s The Stroke. In fact, it would be the theme music for all fucking six of you drunken assholes tonight. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I do believe my mate, and I use that term so very loosely right now, intends to feed me,” I snorted, pushing Brander away from me, and he frowned, bowing his head.

“Aria,” Brander whispered, and his throat bobbed while guilt burned in his eyes.

“Shove it up your ass, Brander. I can smell the alcohol on all of you. I’m not your fucking pet you get to tease and play with for your entertainment. I’m not a whore who can be touched or taken when you want to play your petty fucking games. I am Aria Primrose Hecate, Princess of the Hecate line. Nothing you or Knox does to me can change that. No matter what cage you throw me in, or what you do to me, you can’t change what and who I am.”

I stepped into the hallway, finding Knox leaning against the wall with a sober look in his eyes. The others shuffled on their feet as I gave them a scathing look of annoyance. Knox exhaled, shaking his head. He pushed off the wall, holding out a hand while pushing the other through his hair. Brander exited the room, watching me move toward Knox’s extended hand.

“Let’s get you something to eat, Little Monster,” Knox muttered, looking like a child who’d been caught in his own twisted game. “It was all done in fun, Aria. It wasn’t done through malice or to hurt you.”

“I’m sure you would have done the same with any woman you didn’t respect,” I swallowed, feeling his hand tightening against mine. “I’m just your enemy, and I should learn not to expect common decency from my husband and mate. It was my mistake to think you had a shred of honor where I was concerned. I’m just a game you enjoy playing.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then make it so, because I fucking hate you,” I swallowed past the pain and tears burning in my eyes. I placed my hand into his, and his brothers fell into step behind us.

In the great hall sat tables that were placed and seated according to station. Smaller tables were set around the wall, leaving the floor open in the middle. Knox walked me through the opening, and everyone hushed, whispering behind their hands. I followed Knox to the platform where a large table sat overlooking the others. He pulled out my chair, staring at me as I settled into it, thanking him.

Knox clapped his hands, and servers moved forward. Leaning back, he looked out over the people who all stared at me. They expected a monster, and I didn’t