“You want me, Killian. I feel the way you watch me when you think I’m not paying attention. I sense your anger whenever Alistair puts his hands on me. Is that what you want? To sit idly by while he claims what’s rightfully yours?”
I’m pushing him too far. I can feel him straining not to snap. His back hits the stone wall in between the window and a tapestry. I give him one more good, hard, verbal push.
“Do you really want to stand guard, listening, while Alistair takes my virginity on our wedding night?”
A flash of silver startles me into edging back fractionally.
“I’ll be long gone, Princess. The instant Alistair seals your wedding with a kiss, I’ll be riding back to Thorn Mountain to my castle.”
I recoil.
“He promised youmycastle?”
Thatassof a prince. I can hardly believe it. Hegave awaymy castle.
Killian swings me around mid-gasp. His sharp blade stripes up my spine, parting the laces on my dress as easily as butter.
“Women don’t own castles, Princess. You know that. You’re Alistair’s property, now.”
He strides away, leaving me to gape at his back as my clothes loosen around my body.
17
Killian
Outside her room, I point at Briar’s door and order the two guards to ensure she doesn’t come out until I return.
Belterre Castle is so gods-damned big that it takes a full fifteen minutes to reach my own room. I could have made it in half the time if I’d run, but that would be nigh impossible in my present state.
I throw the latch and pound my gloved fist against the door, dropping my head against the rough wood. I need to do this standing up.
My hands shake so badly I can barely get my belt open. The gloves don’t help matters, but I’m too desperate to take the time pull them off. The buckle loosens at last, and I rip one glove off with my teeth, sending the white leather flying over my shoulder so I can fist my aching shaft with my bare hand. I touch the gloved finger she bit to my lips and close my eyes against the memory of her blue eyes alight with mischief and desire.
I stroke my cock frantically as dirty visions of Briar naked, her mouth an O of pleasure, breasts bouncing as she rides me, coming with my name on her ripe lips. I’d like to draw out the fantasy but I’m too far gone to hold back. I come hard and fast, a desperate release that barely takes the edge off.
Evening light pinkens the sky outside my cell of a room. A monk’s room, although this isn’t the first time I’ve indulged in less than monkish behavior here.
I won’t miss it.
I won’t miss anything about this damned castle, except her.
Maybe Alister. A little. Not the monster he’s been turning into since meeting Briar, but the irreverent, sardonic friend from childhood…yeah. Him, I’ll miss.
Slowly I strip off the uniform, draping parts of it over the chair and the trunk, kicking off the boots and letting them lie where they land. I stick the despised hat on the helmet of my armor, where it looks even more ridiculous than it does on my own head.
One evening. One full day. One morning. Then I never have to see Briar Rose ever again.
I close my eyes against the lie. Once I’m safe in my castle full of monsters, I’ll see her ghost wherever I look. If I descend from my mountaintop cloister, Princess Aurora’s name will be on the lips of every commoner. There will be no peace, for there will be no avoiding her.
She was right. I cannot bear the thought of standing outside their door while Alistair humps his way to completion. It’s enough to curl my hands into fists.
I have to do something to slake this need.
The problem is, I don’t want to betray Alistair. As fucked up as our friendship is, I don’t have anything better. I’ve been a loner, suspicious of the world and ready to take it on in a fight to the death, ever since I was a boy. I’m too broken to be anything different than a dark knight. A useful tool to a prince—unless I stab him in the back by fucking his fiancée.
The only one who’s ever seen a glimmer of worth in me. Until Briar.
She’s using me, too.
