The Alpha King's Heart novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: Rule One

He took me to his study and shut the door.

The fire was low, and wine from his hand was still drying on his cuff.

"What about my father?" I said again.

"I'll tell you after the council."

"Tell me now."

"If I tell you now, you will walk out of this house tonight, and Strake wins everything."

"That's a lie by leaving things out," I said. "That was my third rule."

"Yes."

"You said you'd be honest."

"I am being honest," he said. "I'm telling you I know something and I won't say it yet."

"And?"

"And I know exactly what that costs me."

He stood in the middle of the room with his hands at his sides.

He was not defending himself.

That made it harder.

"Five years," I said.

My voice cracked, and I hated it.

"I was fourteen. They dragged me onto that stage two hours after I shot my own father.

"I took fifteen with my shirt cut off while the whole town watched. Where were you?"

"Not there."

"Not there," I said. "Every time they came to the house after that. You had a crown. Where were you?"

"I didn't know your name."

"That's a bad answer."

"It's the true one."

"Then it's a terrible one," I said.

I was crying again, furious about it.

"You let them do it. You let all of it happen. And now you stand there and say you want me."

"I do."

"Say it again."

"I want you," he said. "I have wanted you since the second I smelled you in that square.

"I am not worthy of it, and I'd still tear down this house to get you."

The room was very quiet.

My heart was going so hard it hurt.

He had not moved one step.

He was giving me every chance to hit him or leave.

I did neither.

I walked across the carpet, took his wine-stained wrist in both hands, and put his palm flat against my cheek.

His eyes closed.

"Rule one," I said. "I'm asking."

His breath came out of him in a rush.

"Asking what?"

"Touch me."

He opened his eyes.

"Where?"

"Everywhere you said at the table."

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