The King [Published]

Chapter 2

Annalise

My entire life, my father told me stories about the beasts. He said if I ever came into contact with one, I would know. At this very moment, I know. I can feel the heat of his body behind me, yet my blood runs cold from the closeness of his presence. It's a strange thing, being terrified and enamored all at once.

A shaky gasp leaves my lips when I feel the warmth of him shift. He slowly circles me as a predator would its prey until he stands in front of me, his dark gaze studying me intensely. Now that he is this close, I can see the ripple of lean muscle that adorns his body. I can also see the scars that have healed wrap around his chest and shoulders. They are much deeper than they looked from a distance. Whoever he is, he's been through literal hell. I can only hope it wasn't by humanity's hand. Mercy will be the last thing on his mind if that is the case.

His hand slowly comes to caress my cheek and I squeeze my eyes shut, my body trembling in terror as my muscles gain a mind of their own. His touch is warm and oddly gentle as he strokes my cheek, using the pad of his thumb to test the texture of my skin. He gently pushes my hair out of my face, leaning in close to me, his nose hovering over the base of my throat as he inhales softly. My trembles grow violent as a low rumble emits from his chest.

"Please...," I whimper.

I'm met with a soft chuckle as he steps back, my gaze darting to Adam's lifeless body. His face is twisted into a permanent state of shock. My whimpers fill the air.

"Look at me."

The beast's voice is low and gentle. The sound instantly soothes me as it caresses my ears, leaving a pleasant ring in its wake. I slowly open my eyes, my gaze rising to meet his. My legs shake as I look into the soulless depths that are his eyes. They are dark blue. A very dark blue. The color reminds me of the ocean. Not the shallow end, but where the land falls off and you can see nothing but the dark abyss looking back at you. I can barely decipher the separation between his pupil and iris. But I can see the slight tremble of his pupil as it sharpens into the shape of a serpent's. Against my better judgment, more tears fall as I look death in the face.

The beast smiles at my reaction, revealing his straight, white teeth. I half-expected fangs. His smile drops as he searches my face, and the terror I feel only rises.

"Answer me."

His tone has changed in an instant. Now, it is cold and deadly. I open my mouth, willing myself to speak as I wrack my brain for a plausible lie. There's an army of wounded soldiers and a village of innocent people only miles from here. If I cave, they could be as good as dead. My gaze shifts to Adam's body and I lunge for his sword.

I pull it from its hilt, holding it out to the beast. But he's fast. His blade collides against mine, jarring my body violently. The force knocks the sword from my hands and I cry out, my body buckling under the pressure. The beast isn't finished. He uses my body's momentum against me, stepping to the side as I fall forward. Sharp pain grazes across my back, forcing a scream from my lips. I collapse in the dirt, a pained moan escaping me, and when I open my eyes, the tip of the beast's sword is now aimed directly at my face. My shirt is now sliced open, allowing the once comforting breeze to touch the new wound.

It's excruciating.

My blood now drips from his blade, and he narrows his gaze slightly. I shiver as a smile crawls onto his face.

"You are brave."

He makes his way to where I am in the grass, dragging the sword along with him. I try to move, but he sliced so deep into my back that my body can't hold itself up. I look up at him through strained vision. He's walking toward me without a care in the world, dragging the sword he just used to slice through my back.