“Eventually, she developed an unhealthy love for me… that embarrassed me. It was incestuous, and possessive, and even when I offered her a place on the throne as my heir, she insisted that she loved me and wanted to be my queen.”
“Are you lying?” She gripped the sleeves of my shirt, shaking her head. “You didn’t molest her?”
“My own child?” I gritted my teeth. “I know that I am a monster. I know the things I have done to you in the past. I truly believed you were capable of letting them go until this moment. You think I could do that… to my own daughter?”
“Why is she locked up, then?” She demanded.
“She tried to kill me, Roam. Treason.”
“She belongs in a mental hospital.”
“There is an island, east of Icepond, that sees to the rehabilitation of the insane. Shanderlund will take her. If that pleases you.” I brushed at the water on her face with the edge of the towel. “I freed William as soon as I realized the truth. Somehow, he forgave me.”
She exhaled slowly, and I read the conflicted emotions on her face. “Where… do you want me,” she asked, halted, her knuckles white as she gripped the towel around her body.
I stirred, her obedient words almost sexier than her perfect body.
“In my bed.”
She cried out as I swept her into my arms, having no choice but to hold onto me. “Troy- I can walk-…,”
“Who is cutting you?” I demanded, grabbing her arm and holding it tightly. I slid my hand over her hip, pushing my thumb between her legs to trace the scars on her inner thigh. “Who’s touching you, Roam, because I swear I will fucking slaughter him,” I hissed.
Her long lashes lowered as she twisted away from my groping hands. “I did it to myself.”
Moving toward the doorway with her in my arms, I carried her to the stairwell. She’s cutting herself? “You will not do it again, do you understand me?”
“Yes, Troy.”
I groaned, kicking the door to our chamber open with my foot. I barely slammed the door behind us before my mouth was on hers, my tongue parting her lips, my fingers gripping her hair at her scalp to better adjust her mouth to mine. “Ask me. Ask me to fuck you, Roam.”
“No…,” she moaned, protesting, fighting my kiss. The towel fell away. I dropped her to the bed, and she leaned back on her elbows, her shadowed eyes pleading with me. “Please, Troy, don’t… do those things to me. Just… be gentle, please,” she cried.
Groaning, I stripped my clothes off and ripped the bikini from her body as she whimpered. She was panting now, trying to breathe and not pass out, and I hissed at the tiny, quick breaths coming from her mouth. Dropping my teeth to her neck, I bit down at the same time that I thrust into her wet body. She screamed, and I savored her blood, my tongue tracing over the puncture in her skin.
From the moment I’d tasted her soft earlobe in the pool at the high school, a new obsession had grown within me. Though I knew she suffered when I’d tear into her yielding skin, I made sure that she was screaming in pleasure before I was through with her.
“You’re hurting me,” she cried, pushing at my face, and I suckled, slowly, until her protesting arms stilled on my shoulders. A low moan began in her throat, and her fingernails raked into my skin. I pulled out almost completely before driving into her again.
This time she cried out sharply, a sound that I knew was born of pleasure. I locked my hands on her hips, pumping her in and out of me twice before catching her leg and bending it over my shoulder. Now, I could fill her deeply, completely, tasting chlorine as I moved my tongue over her peaked nipple.
“Turn over,” I growled, pulling out and flipping her to her stomach. God, her ass. With one swat, she was moaning, already fitting herself against my hips. I wrapped my arm around her waist and jerked her back, plunging, feeling her clench around me.
“I hate you,” she moaned, her fingers gripping the pillow as she came apart, her cries echoing through the chamber.
I answered her with a guttural rumble, releasing, dropping my forehead to her back. Her shoulders shook, and I knew she was sobbing.
Pulling out, I fell to the side of her, watching her bury her face into the pillow and cry.
I only wished West could see her, at that very moment. Her declaration of hate infuriated me more than usual, and I couldn’t resist taunting her. “Did Logan ever make you come like that? What about West? I promise you, you’d be bored as hell without me. Your body is made for me, Roam, and you get off on everything I do to you.”
She turned her face on the pillow, and her eyes flashed with revulsion.
“Don’t get too sleepy. I’m going to fuck you again.”
We stared at each other silently for long minutes, not touching, and I could almost see how hard she was thinking. I willed her to speak to me, and as if on cue, her lips parted.
“What scares you?” She asked, unmoving.
Pillow talk? Okay.
Grinning, I reached for her shoulder, tracing my finger along her arm. I made it to her elbow before I was hard and ready for her.
“Failing. My world, burning, and my entire kingdom knowing that I failed to save them. Your daughter lives because of my compassion, never forget that.” She continued to stare at me, unblinking, as tears dripped down to the satin pillowcase. Her silence unnerved me. “And what is your fear, my queen?” I prodded, moving my mouth to her battered neck.
She closed her eyes, and I could feel her voice on my lips, through her throat.
“Forgiving you, Troy. I’m so afraid that… someday… I will.”
As her words registered, I groaned, pulling her back into my arms.
Chapter Twenty-Four
West
The crossing went just as smoothly as before; Will had cleared the way for us, placing his own men in the guard tower. When we passed through the inclined plane, Will was waiting, and before I could fire my list of questions at him, his mouth was on my daughter’s.
“Thank God, you are grown,” he managed, between passionate kisses, and I had to clear my throat when it looked like Eva was about to rip her clothes off in the middle of the mountainside.
My knuckles went white on the grip of the AK47. “Eva! Come on, we have to move. Will, are they safe? Roam, Christopher…,”
“They are,” he nodded, keeping Eva in his arms. “Wynn and Rose are safe as well, and our Perry is so lovely, Eva… they are under the care of trusted maids,” he moved a kiss to Eva’s forehead, and she breathed a relieved sigh. “Christopher is disguised as a guard, and there is clothing below the passageway for everyone. Meredith and Eric are imprisoned, just as before.” His eyes darted to Cole, and then Violet. “You are the one who kidnapped Eva, when she was a child.”
Cole shifted uncomfortably, and Eva interrupted him before he could speak. “I called him, and he came to help me right away, Will. We can trust him.”
“Violet,” Will smiled, taking her hand. “You must be very afraid. I promise you, you will be safe.”
I appreciated his calm words, and the way he took charge over the situation. As much as I had fucking despised the idea of Eva in his bed, I’d finally relented when I realized that Will was nothing like Troy. He continued to hold onto Eva, kissing her between words.
“Violet, you will be in the hidden sword room, as before, with Wynn, Rose, and Perry. You will be safe.” He cleared his throat once and turned to me, his expression somber. “West, you must know that Troy returned a week early.”
My reaction to his words was almost painful. Eva’s eyes widened as the ground began to shake, and she rushed to me, gripping my forearms. “Daddy, calm down…,”
“He’s been with her? He’s hurting her?” I demanded, glaring at Will.
“She has remained strong, West. She has continued to swim and practice with the sword, and she is not sickly. I have done my best to occupy my father without alerting him to the situation. The masque will go on tonight, as planned.” He looked down at Eva. “You
should know… that everything I knew of Meredith… and her past… was wrong. My father did not harm her, nor did he put my mother to death. Meredith is truly unhinged, and I no longer feel that her plan was to kill Troy… but rather to join him… to reign with him at her side.”
“Ugh,” Eva coughed, cringing. “I just barfed in my mouth.”
“I need to get Violet inside, with our girls. Then, we’ll plan,” Logan interrupted, and I nodded, turning toward the castle.
“Why didn’t you or Christopher stop Troy?” I demanded, and Will turned to me sharply.
“West.” He gestured to the path, indicating that Logan should begin leading them to safety. “Roam has protected Troy.”
“What?” I snarled, knowing I was about to bring the mountainside down at any moment.
“Not for the reason that you are thinking,” he spoke rapidly. “This is not my army, this is Troy’s army. These men would annihilate any threat to their king. I have friends here, men who will eventually become my soldiers, but the ones who protect Troy would not allow Roam to live if he was killed. They have been raised to hate her. They are dogs, pigs that salivate over her body and the thought of getting her alone. My father is her only protection right now, and she knows that.”
I started toward the castle, and Will joined my side, continuing along the hidden ledge that led to the dungeons. We’d used the passage the last time we’d slipped into the fortress, unseen. “She’s not cutting herself?”
“No. She is stronger, West, I promise you that. And I have done everything I can, all while keeping your son from blowing up this entire castle,” he added, contrite. “This week has been difficult. My father has grown distrustful of me, and I have managed to make him believe that I am loyal to him still.”
I nodded, ducking into the caverns. “Will, I appreciate what you’ve done. We had no way of knowing he’d return early.”
He stopped, turning to me in the darkness. “While she is stronger now, she is still slipping into madness. Her reality blurs constantly, and I often must remind her of the events of the past few months.”
I nodded, moving through the caverns, keeping my eye on the group ahead of us. “Okay.” I thought of all of the progress we’d made over the years with her panic attacks, her hallucinations, and her fears, wondering if we’d be starting over… if we got out alive. “I will consider you the king of this place, and leave Meredith and Eric’s fates up to you. She is your sister, and he was your friend. You decide what we should do with them. I trust your judgment.”
“Meredith will remain a prisoner, and I will seek care for her. Eric will be put to death,” he said, and the cold calculation in his voice gave me a new admiration for my son-in-law.
“Sounds like a plan. You’ll find Asher, like before, and release him?”
“Yes. Though, between my wife and your son, I don’t feel that we will require his assistance.”
Eva carried a fire in her hands as they moved ahead of us, lighting the darkness with the flames on her fingertips. I gripped the AK47 in my hand. “I think you’re right.”
“West,” he stopped, and I had no choice but to stop with him. “He never had a chance to release these creatures before. If he does that, we are outnumbered in both strength and magic. You killed him before he got to his office. There is a panel that controls the secure locks on all of the cells below. Allowing him to get to that panel will ensure our deaths. We will be outnumbered.”
“How many? What are we looking at here?”
“Aside from Eric- a selkie- there is a Minotaur, a banshee, an incubus, and God knows what else on the levels I have not been to. You are familiar with Earth’s mythology?”
“Yes.” I slung the rifle over my shoulder, moving ahead. “I won’t let Troy live long enough for him to get to his office.”
Christopher’s voice cut through the caverns, and he rushed forward, reaching for me. “Dad. Holy shit, it’s tense up there. Mom is dressed up like a fairy or something, and she has green paint-…,”
“I remember.” I patted his back firmly, twice, before releasing him. “Come on, we have plans to make.”
Will led us to a small room in the dungeons, and once inside, swung a metal latch next to a stone fireplace. The enormous hearth slid open, and inside there was a boulder stairwell that went up and into the castle. “This passage takes us to the tower that was once Asher’s. Your daughters are there,” he added to Logan, and let them all go ahead.
We moved through another fireplace door, and Logan dropped to his knees.
Wynn covered her mouth and stared at Violet, and Rose broke into tears.
“Mom? Dad, is it her?” Wynn begged, and Logan nodded, sweeping little Rose into his arms. I stayed back with Christopher and Eva, watching with a heavy heart as Violet looked at the teenager in her arms with wonder. Cole and Will secured the door.
“Our daughters, Vi,” Logan released Rose, and in a flicker of white-blonde curls, the child was swept into Violet’s arms.
“Rose… looks like me… and… Wynn?” She was crying now, pleading for answers. “Logan, she’s you… this is really happening? How can this be happening?” She begged, fighting the emotional confusion.
“It’s true, Violet. Take some time, sweetheart,” I cajoled, turning to Logan. “Sit down with her. Here. They’re safe here, right?” I demanded to Will.
“Yes. Christopher and Cole will stand guard outside the door. I will take Eva to our daughter.” The plans began to unfold as we discussed the particulars of how we would assassinate Troy and his army.
All the while, Logan held his family in his arms, whispering softly to his wife.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Roam
I fell asleep waiting for Troy.
When I woke, I was lying on my back in the giant canopy bed, so confused. Sitting, I turned toward the wall, knowing where to look to find my reflection.
I found my mirror. This time, I wasn’t dreaming… and I knew exactly where I was.
The green paint covered half of my face. The flower clip was fixed at my part, allowing my long, dark hair to flow over my shoulders. The leather corset and pants curved over my body, fitting snug, soft, and so pliable. I knew how I could move in this costume.
I knew what I was capable of.
Shifting to my feet, I cringed at the soreness of the muscles in my arms. I’d practiced for hours with the Kenauri-Rak over the week, stopping only to eat, swim, or sleep.
Or when Troy came to me.
Gone was the tender young king from hundreds of years ago; in his place was the Troy that haunted my nightmares, the dark king with an insatiable lust. He needed only to enter the room, and my body reacted to his presence; my heart raced, my breathing labored, and the wetness between my thighs deceived me most of all.
My body craved this demon, this man that I loathed, and I decided that I was just as disgusting as he was.
When he’d found me in the fencing arena the first day after his return, he dismissed his guards and drew a sword for himself. I watched his grin as I took a step back, lowering my sword.
“No, Roam. I am your opponent. I would like to see your skills again. It has been centuries. Show me what you can do.”
I am your opponent? That is the understatement of my life. I readjusted my fingers on the grip, moving into fighting stance. “You’re not wearing any padding,” I argued softly.
“Neither are you,” he retorted, weighing the saber in his hand. “Raise your sword. We are on even ground, Roam. It’s all fun and games… unless, of course, you’re hiding a screwdriver.”
I quickly looked at the floor, my hands longing to clasp together. “No,” I whispered, and his deep laugh startled me.
“Come on,” he urged, moving into his own fighting position. “I fully deserved what you did to me that night.”
“Did you know… that I was pregnant… that night… that you came to West’s house? That Thanksgiving?” I continued speaking to the floor. “
I lost that baby at the same time I lost Eva, through the fountain.”
He lowered the sword and crossed to me, but I kept my teary eyes steady on the wooden flooring.
“Because of me?”
The care in his tone surprised me enough to lift my face. I stared into the cold, blue eyes from my nightmares, wondering if there was any warmth in them at all. “I don’t know. I used to think about it all the time. I fell down the stairs, trying to run when I thought you were in my house… and then you grabbed my throat, at West’s house… but I’d been cramping for days,” I was surprised that I could talk about it without crying. “It just wasn’t supposed to happen. As much as I hated to accept it, it was no one’s fault. I just miscarried.”
“And you were angry?”
“Yes, I was angry!” I tightened my hand on the grip of the Kenauri-Rak, my voice rising. “I was angry at you, for all that you’d done, and West, for… finding me, and making me love him so much,” I admitted, quickly covering my mouth with my hand, appalled that I’d said such a thing, especially to Troy.
“You were really just… a child,” he said, the realization in his expression clear as he closed the distance between us. “Now, you are so different from a week ago, Roam. Mature. Older. What has changed?” He wrapped his fingers around my hand, unfurling my own from the grip of the sword. “You respond to me like a woman, not a frightened little girl.”
Before I knew what was happening, he was tearing my clothes away, lifting me against the wall.
I didn’t know how I would look West in the eye after what Troy had done to me over the past week. Though I convinced myself I was acting, some sort of self-preservation, I knew that my pulse raced as soon as Troy would burst into the fencing arena, order his guards to leave, and strip me. I always ended up crying and telling him how much I hated him, and he’d grin, that horrible, slow, wicked grin.
Reign (Roam Series, Book Six) Page 16