A Kingdom of Venom and Vows (Stars and Shadows #3)(6)

“And what would you like me to dress in?” I stopped near his door and balled my hands into fists in the fabric of my dress. “What would impress you, Your Highness?”

Gavril grinned and took a step toward me. I shouldn’t have goaded him, but I couldn’t control the fury that burned within me.

“I know you think this temper inside you will anger me, but you’re wrong.” His gaze dropped to my mouth, and my breath caught in my throat. “It only increases my desire to make you bow down to me.”

He lifted his hand as if he were going to touch me again, but he nodded to the door just down the hall from his instead. “That is your room for now. You will not leave unless you are told to do so.”

My jaw clenched as I stared at the door. I moved away from him and to the room he had given me. I didn’t glance back in his direction as I clasped my hand around the ornate handle and turned. I just wanted to sleep and be away from the nightmarish world I now lived in.

I wanted to be alone where I could try to figure out what the hell I was going to do. How the hell I was going to get back to Evren.

The room was small. The bright walls and the light wood furniture were the exact opposite of what I was used to. So different than everything that was Evren.

Everything about this kingdom was so different from all that he was. I didn’t know how he had survived here so long. How he had played the role they all thought he belonged in.

They had been so wrong.

“Adara.”

I jumped and spun at the sound of Eletta’s voice. She stood at the edge of the washroom door, linens draped over her arms and worry clouding her eyes.

“Eletta, you scared me.” I pressed my hand to my pounding chest and quickly closed the door behind me. It was just the two of us alone in the room, but I knew better than to let my guard down.

“I’m sorry.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “I ran you a bath.” She glanced back to the washroom, and her next words were more hesitant. “The crowned prince would like you to cleanse yourself before you’re presented to the queen.”

I frowned at her, and she offered me a shake of her head. “He’s not asking this of you, Adara. The queen has demanded that you be brought to her as soon as he rescued you.”

“And I’m not going.” I laughed and the sound rang out with every bit of bitterness I felt inside me. “Your prince didn’t rescue me. He took me from my mate.” I turned and started toward the bed, but she followed me quickly.

“The dark prince? Starblessed…”

“I’ve told you before not to call me that,” I spat, and I hated that I felt so angry with Eletta. She had done nothing to me other than be a part of this kingdom.

“Adara.” She sighed and set the linens on the bed. “I’m sorry. I will do whatever I can to make you comfortable in your new room.”

I clenched my fists as I turned to her. “This isn’t my room, Eletta. This is a cage.”

“He hasn’t hurt you. He wants to protect you from his brother.” Eletta’s voice was so soft, so sure, and I couldn’t stop the bitter laugh that escaped me.

“You don’t know your crowned prince at all if you truly believe that.” Anger vibrated through me where my power was missing. “He’s a monster.”

Eletta jolted backward as if I had hit her, and I wondered if she was truly that blind to those she served.

“No.” Her voice shook with her denial. “No, he’s not.”

I shook my head and turned from her. “You can go.” I dropped onto the bed, and I was glad for the fabric against the soreness that still radiated from my body. Nausea still rolled in my stomach from whatever magic Gavril had used to bring us here, from the sight of his troops ready to fight my mate, my kingdom.

“I’m not leaving you.” Her voice was firm. “I’m here to help you get ready for the queen.”

“You’re here to help me bathe for the man who stole me from Evren.” I lifted my eyes toward the ceiling, wetting my lips. “I think I can handle that on my own.”

“I was instructed by Gavril to not to leave you alone.” Her voice was small, hesitant, and when I looked back to her, I could see her own doubt marred across her face.

“Oh yes. What a savior your prince is.” I stood and began pulling my dress from my shoulders. I stepped out of it as she watched, and I couldn’t stop myself from bringing the fabric to my nose. I breathed it in, my eyes falling closed as the scent of Evren overwhelmed me.

The smell of him still clung to the fabric the same way he was engraved in every part of me, and I could feel moisture pooling in my eyes as I thought of the horror on his face when he saw me take his brother’s hand. He promised that he would never let his brother touch me again, but I had taken that choice away from him.

Gavril had used my father against me. He had taken my every weakness and played me exactly how he wished to.

And I had done nothing but fall into his trap.

“Did you see that army out there?” I nodded toward the window on the far side of the room. “Do you think that entire army is stationed just outside these walls because he wanted his betrothed back?”

“He’s gone crazy since he found out you were taken.” Her eyes were wide with conviction.

“No.” I shook my head and held out my right hand. The one that held the scar where he had stolen from me. “He went crazy because he knew my power was taken from him.” I stared down at my inky black stained fingers, and I wished that I could pull my magic from myself and let my darkness fill the room around us.