8

"The prize he won in battle." I huffed and stood in front of the mirror. I did look pretty.

Yes, tonight, my husband would show me off to make everyone envious. It was why he'd suggested I wear color.

It flattered me better than black. If this was his intention, then I'd make him proud, and when he was happy, I'd ask him to give me a greater role in the kingdom to help those who needed it.

"Are you ready, wife?" Necros's stern, deep tone came from behind my bedroom door. He didn't wait for me to answer but entered as he always did and then halted on the threshold, his eyes sparkling with lust.

"Fuck me," he breathed. "I'm a lucky man."

My cheeks heated beneath the compliment, causing my eyes to drop to the ground. "Thank you."

He held out his hand for mine, yanking me to him. "Let's go before I decide to skip the entire thing and fuck you all evening instead."

"Later," I replied coyly, my insides protesting at the idea of him taking me again so soon. But I wanted him happy. Pliable. Easy to talk to. And maybe that was the only way to achieve my conversational goals.

"That's for certain." He winked at me and then, completely out of character, tenderly pressed his lips to my cheek.

"You know, you're everything I wanted in a wife—beautiful, submissive, and well groomed." He dug into his pocket and pulled out a gold bracelet studded with emeralds and rubies to match my crown. "I know the last few months have been difficult. I'm still learning my role, but I promise it'll get better. You'll see."

He slid the bracelet onto my wrist, and I instantly felt guilty. I'd cursed my husband more than once during our short marriage, but he was doing everything for us. For the betterment of this kingdom.

I would do better for him, too.

I went to my toes to kiss him on the lips—a kiss he didn't return. He never did. "I'll always be what you need," I vowed.

"I know," he replied. A hint of evil lurked in his expression as his mouth curled at the sides. "And you'll prove it to me tonight. Let's go."

Necros took my hand and we left my bedroom together, the King and Queen of Winsorer ready to make their grand entrance to the assembled guests in the ballroom.

***

Sarai

The hairs along my arms danced, warning me of the approaching royal before he stepped onto the platform above. Power oozed from his pores, shrouding the room in a cloud of energy that made it difficult to breathe.

A standard show of authority, one that called the shadows within me to the surface as if preparing for a fight. And wouldn't that be a colossal waste of training? Grigory would never let me live it down.

I lifted the blood wine to my lips and swallowed the urge to react.

Many fell to their knees beneath the onslaught of dominance, revealing those in the ballroom who posed a threat to King Necros's position.

He eyed each and every one of us, his lips curling at the turnout. Hosting other royals and powerful figures in his kingdom wasn't a typical occurrence. No, we were all invited here tonight for a purpose to help him break the beautiful woman at his side.

Innocence radiated from her as she studied the mostly male audience watching her descent. The poor little bird clearly had no idea what was waiting for her tonight, the fate she was expected to endure.

Some of the attendees were only here for the show.

Others were here to fight.

I'd come to win.

"Welcome," Necros said loudly as they reached the marble floor at the bottom of the grand staircase. He held his wife close, his muscular form highlighting her dainty appearance. How could so much power reside in such a fragile female?

One thing was for sure when she gave me her heart, it would break her irrevocably. Likely even kill her.

The room stilled, all the focus falling on the almighty king and waiting for him to speak. Queen Olga glanced up at him with a pretty blush that crept down her neck and lower into her subtle cleavage. Definitely a gorgeous woman. Seducing her wouldn't be a hardship.

I took another sip of my wine, affecting a bored pose. Many were still on their knees, the weight of Necros's presence hanging heavy in the air.

Those of us left upright were the ones he sought, the most powerful beings of the Underworld aroused by the chance to play this deadly game. The invitation for tonight had reached every kingdom, only the most daring accepting.

Or perhaps those with a death wish.

Because most would not survive the evening.

Immortality only helped us heal indefinitely, but certain weapons like the ones used against my parents made for a more permanent demise. I possessed two such blades, having prepared myself for the tasks ahead. Others would rely on Necros's supposed hospitality. I knew better.

"Ah, there are more of you than I anticipated." Approval deepened Necros's tone. "You can't know how much this pleases me."

Oh, I have a good idea, I thought dryly, hiding my smirk behind my glass. My opposite hand remained in the pocket of my suit pants, my thumb running over a sharp edge just in case I needed it sooner rather than later. But Necros's green gaze held only intrigue when he caught sight of me, my pale skin and drink of choice signaling my identity, not the shadows lurking deep inside.