Freya was good at staying still, it was the best way to hunt and hunting was all she knew. Her belly was flat on the roof as she watched and waited. She had not seen him since she left him buried but she trailed his beta to their secret meeting, inside an innocuous building where no one would think to look for rebels.He was inside the building, she was sure of it because when she glanced at her arms, goosebumps trailed down to her fingers. She had imagined how this meeting could go a hundred different ways and she settled on never meeting him. She didn't trust herself not to fumble a close range fight with him and she frowned when she remembered how strong he was. Close range, he would dominate her so she would kill him from afar, before her senses had a chance to betray her again. The door opened and one by one, men and women filed out. Most of them were important humans in high places, colluding with Riordan to impeach the king and change the royal line. She was surprised at the a
“Who were you running from?” King Ardelan asked her as she sat stiffly opposite him in the carriage. “No one of importance.” She replied and casually pulled her sleeve fully over the tattoo on her wrist. She had no intention of letting the king know she was a Spider, no doubt she was one of his wanted persons. “You do realise I saved your life out there don’t you?” He asked her with a smile. She cocked her head and observed him. Up close, she couldn’t believe she ever missed it. No amount of cloaking could cover up the supernatural energy around him. She had never seen it from afar and for someone that prized herself for her observation skills, it was unforgivable. “I would get on a knee and thank you if I thought it would please you Your Majesty.” She dared. His smile grew wider and he leaned closer with interest. “Do you dare to presume to know what would please your king?” He asked her and she lowered her head in respect. “On the contrary. The question burns in my mind, why
Freya rattled the handle of the door hard, still surprised when it didn’t budge. “Open the door!” She pounded on it but the footsteps receded, leaving her trapped. A prisoner once again? She was livid. She abandoned the door and ran to the window and she laughed sardonically when she found it reinforced by bars. Not ordinary bars, she realised as she put all of her strength into trying to bend it and it didn’t budge. “Oh he has no idea who he’s dealing with!” She growled and ran to the closet, holding up her prize a moment later. The bejewelled pin would do. She dropped into a crouch in front of the door and jammed the pin in, getting to work. It was more difficult than it looked as the door was no regular door. It was meant to contain someone like her but the king had never met ‘her’ in person. It took her a few minutes but she finally heard the telltale click and she smiled with satisfaction. The plan had changed. She refused to be here when the king came looking for her again.
The kiss was the softest of touches, Riordan’s lips grazing hers helplessly.. once, twice. It was an impulsive move on his side in the heat of the moment and they both froze because dammit, she didn’t expect it. Nor did she expect him to taste so good. Her lips tingled and Freya forgot to shut her eyes, buried underneath the onslaught of desire that serenaded her body. He realised immediately what a mistake it was. A dam of craving was breaking open and the both of them were in danger of drowning. Riordan pulled back slowly, staring at her lips hungrily and Freya hated herself for her weakness because in that moment, she craved him more than any other thing. She yanked her wrists from his grip and grabbed a fistful of his shirt, dragging him back down and her lips collided with his. The dam broke. With a growl, Riordan claimed her lips fully in a passionate duel and she moaned silently as she kissed him back. He grabbed her ass and crushed her into his rigid cock as his finger dr
King Ardelan rose when Freya entered, a brilliant grin on his face.“Miss Reynette.” He said and pulled a chair for her. She sat gingerly, trying to read the room. The king sat beside her and clapped his hands once. The next second, the servants streamed into the room with trays laden with food. “I hear there was some difficulty locating you.” King Ardelan said. “I had an urge to visit the gardens, I didn’t know the guards would cause such a fuss. I’m not mistaken to think I’m free to go as I please am I?” She asked and the king laughed. “You are my guest. You are free to do as you will. Tell me next time you feel an urge to see the gardens, I shall escort you myself.”He personally poured her a glass of wine and she watched his profile. What was his game?“Tell me about yourself, Miss Reynette.” He said and she shrugged. “I’d rather not bore Your Majesty with details about my life.” Said Freya. “I insist.” He replied. Reynette... what about her? Freya made it all up as they ate
Freya stepped into the ball on the king’s arms and everyone grew mute, watching her with wide curious eyes. “The king of Ilryia, King Ardelan, first of his name!” He was announced. The entire room flowed into respectful bows and curtsies as the both of them walked down the red carpet. “It gives me no greater joy to have the most beautiful woman in the room on my arms.” King Ardelan whispered in her ears and she smiled. She hadn’t given him a definite response but she couldn’t deny his offer was a gift horse and she would be stupid to reject it outright. They both played a game, but at the end of the day one of them would play it better. “Such words of flattery from you, Your Majesty.” She replied and he smiled. “I’ve never uttered words more genuine.” He said. She couldn’t see Riordan but she felt his gaze like a piercing arrow on her skin. He dared much, not lowering his eyes like the rest of he others. Could he tell his time was counting down?“Arise!” The king announced and
The more Freya watched, the more obvious it was that Riordan was doing something he ought not to. She followed him discreetly as he skulked down the hallway and from her perch, she saw a pair of guards approached the corner with him. Her heart lurched and she just barely stopped herself from shouting a warning but the next moment, Riordan was nowhere to be found. The guards went through the hallway and she watched as Riordan dropped down from the roof. Her relief was met with disgust. Was she really going to be so stupid as to call out a warning to him earlier? Riordan picked up pace, heading deeper into the castle and she cursed colourfully as she realised she couldn’t follow him on the roof anymore. She swung in through the window silently and went after him. Or she tried to, because after a few minutes she had to confess that she lost him. “Looking for me?” She heard behind her and spun around, her dagger at the ready. “Were you following me?” He bit out angrily and she scoffe
“Melanie.” Freya said, confused. “I’m sorry Freya.” She said and blew into her fist. The entire room exposed with mermaid dust and instantly, the magic seized hold of Freya’s body. She collapsed to the ground, immobilised. Anger swept through her and she gritted her teeth and pushed against the fog pressing on her mind but the magic held her down, making her unable to move a muscle. She watched through the colourful dust as Melanie entered the room and lifted the box from inside the hidden floor. Inside the clear box was a dark collar, so black it seemed to drink the light from around it. She stopped struggling, the collar stealing her attention as it seemed to pulse. Melanie held it up and a high keening sound filled the air, piercing her ears and jarring her. It was coming from the collar, eerily similar to the sound she heard before she passed out in that alley earlier. She struggled to cover her ears against the terrible sound but she couldn’t, it was everywhere; in her ears an