บททั้งหมดของ A Deal With The Lycan King: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

“I like you.” Saeris lifted a brow at him. “Most people,” the male went on, gaze trailing after Morgana, “would ask who she is to the King. But you asked what she’s like. That’s far more interesting, and telling.” “And what does it tell you?” “That you might actually survive this place.” His lips quirked up at one corner as he extended his hand. "Samkiel. And possibly the friend you've made here.” Saeris stared at his hand without taking it. "I'm not looking for friends." “No one ever is.” He withdrew his hand without offense. “Until they realize they’re drowning.” “And why are you volunteering?” she asked, plucking a grape, tone dry. “Everyone else seems ready to slit my throat.” Samkiel allowed himself to partake in the fruit too, uninvited. “Because I love things that bite, even if I’ve to teach them how, first.” His grin was gone for a moment, green eyes far too shrewd for Saeris’ c

Oddly, Thorold looked absolutely thrilled. Saeris eyed him like one might a suspicious potion. “What’s so amusing?” “Strange to hear you laugh, old man,” Samkiel drawled, reclining like a bored cat. Thorold’s grin vanished. “This old man laughs because I get to witness something truly magnificent in my lifetime,” he huffed, affronted. “You’d do well to show more respect to your elders, Sam.” "Forgive me if I don’t fall to my knees in reverence.” Samkiel tipped his head toward her. “But Binders—we’ve covered that. What does it mean for her?” Yes. That. She’d been trying not to think about the worst-case scenario … what it meant if a Binder had been behind it. That Gemma had employed one… Thorold's expression sobered. “Well… uh, nothing. As much as I could fathom, Binders don't exist, not in recent history, anyway. The last recorded Binder was centuries ago." He turned the ring over once more before reluc

Damn her heart… Saeris’s back pressed harder against the door. She hadn’t expected to find him here, not after the mess that passed for a conversation that morning. “What are you doing here?” Not exactly the line she'd rehearsed in her head, but it would do since her voice didn't shake, a small mercy. “I searched for you, twice.” She could smell it now: dark, biting liquor clinging to his skin … he’d enjoyed it, clearly, because someone else’s scent curled beneath his own. She tried not to hate it. Vaelen’s eyes dragged over her. “None of them were you in your room.” “So I went for a walk.” Flat, cold. “That’s allowed, isn’t it? Or have you decided I need a leash now, too?” Vaelen let out a sound, half groan, half query. “So,” he drawled, “where has this free woman been?” “The battlement.” That wasn’t a lie. The open, circular terrace nestled in the heart of the eastern wi

Saeris had said it because the words needed to leave her. Like poison expelled from a wound, it was necessary and healing. Even if every eye in the room dismissed her. Even if every Lycan looked at her like she was nothing but a trembling wolf who had wandered into a den of beasts too fragile to snarl openly. They underestimated her—all of them. “It seems the assassin has... removed himself from the conversation,” Vaelen’s voice drawled, almost bored. That meant one thing. “Not surprising. The desperate often meet a coward’s end and sometimes, that can be the employee too.” Lubbow stepped back into formation. It must have been what the guard had come to report. She noticed the sharp line of his collarbone where the fabric had dipped, a large scar—probably ran lower. But her eyes moved past him, locking again on the true source of danger in the room. His voice was quieter now, but it filled the space like mist. “Bu

Saeris’s room looked like a dragon had sneezed on it and lost interest halfway through. The sheets were gone. One corner of the mattress was scorched. Smoke whiff still clung to the walls, thin and sour, and someone had tried, poorly, to cover it up with lavender. “Fire caught the bedding,” a voice suddenly said behind her. Saeris turned. A girl no older than her … Talia, Saeris remembered, with those soft brown eyes too much like Ianthe’s. “They think it happened by mistake,” the girl added. “His Majesty has ordered a new room prepared for you, just down the hall.” So… they didn’t know. Or pretended not to. “I’ll show you.” The girl didn’t wait for a response; she just turned and walked, expecting her to follow. And Saeris did — because what else was there? Pick glass shards out of her pillow and pretend she hadn't nearly been killed in that very room? The new room was bette