by Rina Kent
But Eden hadn’t deserved it. I knew Hunter well enough to know that he hadn’t been bluffing with her. If Sebastian hadn’t called the police, I didn’t want to picture what would’ve happened. And what about next time? What about the next girl?
Hunter had been my best friend. In my mind, he still was, and I’d texted him numerous times with no reply since that night, telling him I was sorry and had never meant to hurt him. Even so, he’d gone too far, and I couldn’t protect him any longer.
I’d paid for my mistakes, and now it was time for him to pay for his.
Eden hadn’t been the only one to press charges against Hunter. That would’ve been an assault charge that Hunter’s dad could’ve easily paid off. But Eden’s charge against him kicked him out of school and other girls came forward. I’d driven Jade to the police station myself, and I’d given a statement about what I’d seen that night.
Eden didn’t know about that, though. I was still waiting to see how badly I’d be reprimanded for helping Hunter that night, and if it hurt my chances of going to MIT, Eden would be crushed. It didn’t matter as much to me, although it would be a huge bummer if I blew that chance. I’d follow Eden to Boston, MIT or no MIT, because I was serious about her.
I loved her.
“I think what Hunter did to you could’ve been a lot worse, and I think there’s a good chance it could happen again with a different girl… I’m going to support whatever you decide to do.”
Eden nodded and finally let her face relax. She glanced down at the floor and picked at a piece of carpet. “I think you should’ve filed charges.”
Another sigh brushed across my lips.
“But I get why you didn’t.”
I lifted my eyebrows and waited for her to continue.
She tucked her hair behind her ears and scooted to sit up straighter. “You love him. You see the good in him, the hurt in him. I can see it too, and I get why you wouldn’t want to make things worse for him. I get that you feel guilty for what happened between the two of you. I understand a lot more about you than you think.”
I nodded and turned so that I could run my good hand over her leg. She was right. She understood me, but I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised.
We waited in silence for a few more minutes before Eden looked to me with a serious face. She’d been staring off into space as she thought, and now she looked like she’d made up her mind.
“I’m not going to drop the charges.”
I lifted my lips into a smile and gave her a reassuring nod. “I know.”
“And Camden?”
Her face was still serious, but something else had entered her eyes. So much certainty held up her composure, and I fought with myself not to smile wider. It was a confidence that was both cute and sexy. If there’s one thing I’d learned about Eden, it’s that when she set her mind to something, she’d get it. No plan B’s.
“I love you, too.”
Epilogue
Eden
“Babe, seriously, it’s so cold.” My teeth chattered as I spoke, and I hugged myself tighter. All I could see was the inky darkness of the blindfold Camden insisted he put over my eyes before leaving my parents’ house.
“Almost there.”
My foot caught on something, a crack in the ground maybe, and I gasped, but Camden’s secure grip on my shoulders kept me from falling.
With a sigh, I regained my balance and continued walking God knows where. This had better be one hell of a Christmas present. Then again, I kind of owed him. He’d wanted to stay in Boston and spend Christmas with our friends, but there was no way I wasn’t going home. As much as I loved our lives at Berklee and MIT, it was good to be back… for a little while.
“Can I at least take the blindfold off?”
“No.”
The absolute authority in his tone had me rolling my eyes through the blindfold. Some things never change. But, then again, I wouldn’t have wanted them to.
We walked another minute, my sour mood lifting when we paused. My fingers began to tingle with excitement, or maybe it was from the cold, but either way, I was about to see my ‘surprise’.
“Now?”
“Almost.”
“It better be a pony,” I joked, shifting on my feet in a failed attempt at keeping warm.
“It’s a dog.”
“What? Really?”
“No, Eden. I didn’t bring you here to show you a frozen puppy. Will you chill?”
Throwing my head back in a groan, I shifted on my feet some more. Camden’s knee popped, and his jacket made a ruffling sound.
“Okay… Take off the blindfold.”
His voice came from below me. I stopped my shifting and loosened my arms from around myself. My veins froze over, but it had nothing to do with the temperature.
No fucking way.
I’d found the ring box months ago, and I don’t know how Camden had found out, but he’d been messing with me ever since. Three times my heart had stopped when he got down on one knee in our kitchen, only to tie his shoe. If he was seriously messing with me on Christmas with this, then—
“Oh, now you have patience?”
“What are you doing?”
“Take off the blindfold.”
My lungs burned as I sucked in cold air and slowly pulled the blindfold over my face. My eyes took in the football stadium first. We were in the same spot the jocks had brought me while we were in high school. The first time I’d spoken to Camden. It felt like a lifetime ago, and even though he was the same person, it was weird to think of him that way. We’d moved so fast in our relationship that it felt like we’d been together for several years, instead of just one.
My eyes found Camden’s, and my hand flung to my mouth. He was on one knee, but this time, there really was a ring box in his hand.
“Eden Thompson, will—”
“Why here?” I asked, my words sifting through my hand. I tucked my hair behind my ear, then dropped my hands to my sides.
Camden’s mouth was still open from me cutting him off, and he chuckled and shook his head. He knew me well enough not to be surprised. This was so much. It was like my mind needed time to process what was happening before it could accept it.
Snow fell down on us, and my eyes dropped to his knee as he repositioned. His leg must’ve been freezing, and I couldn’t help the small smirk that pulled my lips. This was really good payback for those other times. But I really did want to know. Why here?
“This was the first place I ever really saw you, and the place where I realized I loved you… I know it’s not all happy memories, but they’re my favorite. They remind me that not everything has to be perfect to be beautiful.”
My heart leapt in my chest and I took in the football stadium again. He was so right. Nothing about our beginning had been perfect, but it was everything to me. He was everything to me. Our lives together, our schools, our futures.
I didn’t want perfect. I just wanted beautiful. I just wanted this.
I returned my gaze to Camden and wiped underneath my eyes. My throat had clogged with emotion, and I coughed to clear it.
“You ready?” he asked, a smile on his face.
I nodded and flicked my gaze between him and the ring. I’d tried it on the day I’d found it and cried. All the extra shifts he’d taken tutoring had started to make sense. It was like he bought it from a catalogue in my head with how perfect it was for me.
“Eden Thompson, will you marry me?”
Thank You
I’d like to take a moment to thank you so much for reading VICIOUS KNIGHT. I hope you enjoyed this story! If you would be so kind as to leave a review, I would be eternally grateful.
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Also by Nicole Cypher
The Darker Places Series:
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DEPLORABLE
DETHRONED
DEMOLISHED
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UNHINGED
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About the Author
Nicole Cypher is an author and avid reader of dark romance. She began her writing journey in college and hasn’t looked back since. In her books you can expect a yummy anti-hero, plenty of action, and a happy ending.
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Cruel King
Rina Kent
Cruel King Blurb
He’s no fairy tale king.
* * *
Levi
Here, little princess. I'm your king.
You have three rules. Bow. Break. Bend the knee.
Fight me all you want, but soon enough, you'll be chanting long live the king.
* * *
Astrid
One day I'm Royal Elite School's small fly, the next I'm hunted and left to die.
He doesn't only shred my life to parts, but he's also coming after my heart.
He thinks he broke me, but the new princess will bring the king to his knees.
Contents
Author Note
Playlist
1. Astrid
2. Astrid
3. Levi
4. Astrid
5. Astrid
6. Levi
7. Astrid
8. Astrid
9. Levi
10. Astrid
11. Levi
12. Astrid
13. Levi
14. Astrid
15. Astrid
16. Levi
17. Astrid
18. Astrid
19. Levi
20. Astrid
21. Astrid
22. Levi
23. Astrid
24. Astrid
25. Astrid
26. Levi
27. Astrid
28. Astrid
29. Levi
30. Astrid
31. Levi
32. Astrid
33. Levi
34. Astrid
35. Astrid
36. Levi
37. Astrid
38. Astrid
39. Levi
40. Astrid
41. Astrid
42. Levi
43. Astrid
44. Astrid
45. Levi
46. Astrid
47. Astrid
48. Levi
49. Levi
50. Astrid
51. Levi
52. Astrid
53. Astrid
54. Levi
55. Astrid
Epilogue
Afterword
Acknowledgments
Also By Rina Kent
About the Author
To the invisible ones.
Author Note
To remain true to the characters and the author’s origins, the vocabulary, grammar, and spelling of Cruel King is written in British English.
Cruel King is a complete standalone New Adult bully romance novel. And when I say bully romance, I mean a villainous hero, enemies to lovers, angst, and explicit/intense sexual situations. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, then this book is NOT for you.
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Playlist
Theme Song
* * *
Time is Running Out – Muse
* * *
Playlist
* * *
The Fear – The Score
Paint It Black – Ciara
Stronger – The Score
King of Nothing - Broadside
Pressure – Muse
Champion – Bishop Briggs
Supremacy – Muse
Mercy – Muse
Undisclosed Desires – Muse
Supermassive Black Hole – Muse
White Flag – Normandie
I Really Wish I Hated You – blink-182
Devil Devil – MILCK
Takeaway – The Chainsmokers
I Think I’m Okay – Machine Gun & Yungblud
Arcadia – Smash Into Pieces
Head Above Water – Avril Lavigne
Something Just Like This – Coldplay & The Chainsmokers
Hurricane – I Prevail
For Reasons Unknown – The Killers
Boyfriend – Ariana Grande & Social House
* * *
Find the Playlist on Spotify
Chapter One
Astrid
You may be noble, but stay away from King.
* * *
This is the last place I should be.
Alcohol, drunk teenagers, and thumping music.
A party.
Not to be dramatic, although I probably am, this place is like my worst nightmare wrapped in super-expensive watered down alcohol.
Now, I’m not that much of a fun-ruiner, although my best friend Dan would say otherwise.
Spoiler alert, don’t believe anything Dan says. He’s into drama and all that jazz.
But I promised him I’d attend one party before the summer starts. Since Dan is part of the football team, I expected him to take me to their usual thing — not that I know what that is, but I had an idea it’d be in some posh house in London.
However, the sneaky wanker chose the party. AKA the mother of all freaking parties in Royal Elite.
When Dan and I walked inside, I had to double-check and see if we were somehow trespassing into the queen’s holiday mansion and if I should tell her majesty that I saw the drunk captain of the rugby team piss in her pool.
To say the place is huge would be like saying the Vikings are tiny. Okay, that was lame, but I kind of insert the Vikings in any similes I make.
Golden arcs decorate the entrance all the way to the massive lounge area. The vaulted ceilings and the sweeping stairs only add to how ridiculously grandiose this place is — even for Royal Elite’s level. Jeez. There are even butlers serving drunk teenagers more drinks than they need.
I mean, I come from money. Scratch that. Dad is rich, I’m not. However, this is on a whole different level. Even for me.
When Dan said it’s party night — right before the bugger sneaked off — I thought we’ll crash in one of the popular ‘royals’ houses.
We’ll drink their rich liquor, try to pretend that we belong to the same school that has the future prime minister and parliament members in the making and then piss off to nurse a hangover.
Dan forgot to mention a tiny detail about the location of the party.
It’s in the middle of freaking nowhere.
I stopped following the twists and turns Dan took with his car the moment we were out of London and no road signs came into view.
For a moment, I thought Dan was taking us to some gypsy party.
Well, this sure as hell isn’t a gypsy party.
The mansion is hidden behind tall pine trees on top of a hill — no kidding. The owner is either way too private or way too gothic.
Or both.
Aside from the attendees’ cars, there’s nothing in sight. Now that I think about it, this is the perfect opportunity to mass murder everyone.
I can totally see this as the opening scene of a horror film.
You need to stop watching all those gory films. I can almost hear Dad scold in my mind. Oh, right. He’s not Dad. He’s Father.
That should summarise my relationship with Lord Clifford.
He might or might not kill me for coming to this party without his permission.
One more reason why I followed Dan’s demonic plots.
I sip from my second drink. I had one shot with Dan as soon as we arrived and now, I'm walking arou
nd with this cocktail. There's barely a burn at the end, but I have a high tolerance, so this is nothing.
I need a distraction from all the scene around me. I can’t believe Dan buggered off — probably to go shag. Worst wingman ever.
The entire school is gathered here. Some sway to the loud, off-beat music. Outside, a few of the rugby team cannonball into the kidney-shaped pool — that has piss in it. Others howl as they play a drinking competition. I wish I had the guts to participate.