The Veiled Kingdom (The Veiled Kingdom, #1)

by Holly Renee

“Did he know?” “Know what?” I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. She turned to look at me, her dark eyes staring into mine for a long moment. She didn’t say anything. She just stared, and I felt completely bare before her. Did she know who I was?

I gave my head the tiniest shake, and I didn’t know why I did it. I didn’t know this woman; I didn’t owe her anything. But by the way she was staring at me, I felt like she knew me. The real me. The lost princess of Marmoris.

“I will tell him that I saw you, but I don’t know that you’re alright.” Her gaze trailed down to my neck, and I swallowed. “Then lie,” I demanded of her, and a small smile formed on her lips. “As you wish.” She suddenly dipped her head into a bow, her hair falling in her face, and I couldn’t help but be taken aback by the unexpected motion.

“And, Nyra, stay with my grandson.”

Searching for him. And I couldn’t stop the irrational envy that coursed through me.

I wanted to kill my father for what he had done to her. I had threatened to do so last night.

the memory of those marks was branded into my mind.

I had already put her in danger today by bringing her with me, but I refused to leave her anywhere near my father when I wasn’t there.

I smiled at her. The thought had never crossed my mind.

Her back was pressed against my chest, and my arms were wrapped around her body as I tried to set her up.

“Did he ever touch you?” “What?” she stuttered. “Micah.” I practically spit out his name. “Did he ever touch you?”

Because she was mine.

I couldn’t stop the jealousy that raged through me at the thought of anyone else touching her.

“That’s what training is for. Take a moment to…” She pointed the arrow in her hand in my direction as she cut me off. “If you say breathe, I swear to the gods, I will do my very best to aim this at you.” “Testy.”

And gods, I didn’t want her to stop me.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about that night.” She let her eyes fall closed for only the briefest moment before they shot back in my direction.

“Did I hit a nerve?” My eyes widened as I chuckled and ran a hand over my chest. Gods, I wanted her.

“You’ve done nothing to keep me away.” I looked back at the arrow that had been nowhere near me. “I already crave you, even though I know you’re keeping things from me. You think an ill-shot arrow will be the thing to stop me?”

the bow slipping from her fingers. “That was a mistake.” I smirked and took another step, closing the distance between us even more. “Now, what will protect you?” My voice was low and filled with my want for her. I wanted to push her buttons further. I wanted the girl to fight.

“Nyra.” Her eyes darted to me, and there was so much fear swimming in their depths.

Guilt slammed into me as I thought of my mother. Tears threatened to spill over as I thought about what could have been, if only I had been stronger. She would still be queen. She would still be alive.

His eyes narrowed as he leaned in closer, his gaze fixated on me. “I should be the one asking you that,” he said, his voice low and predatory. “It’s late.” “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Drop that bow and get on your knees.” He ran his tongue over his bottom lip, and I almost fell to them at that one movement. “Then I want you to crawl to me and beg.”

“On your knees, Nyra. Don’t make me tell you again.”

“Come here.” He lifted a hand, and he gave a subtle curl of his fingers, beckoning me forward.

“Look at me.”

“I want to see you as you crawl to me.”

“Closer,” he hissed.

I took a deep breath as he widened his legs, making room for me to come even closer.

“You look so fucking beautiful like this,” he groaned

“I love hearing you beg,” he murmured against my skin,

“Fucking beg me, little traitor,” he commanded before his teeth grazed against my skin.

had been desperate for some trace of power my entire life, but still, all I could think about was him.

I wanted Dacre to care for me as I had begun to care for him.

“Dear gods.” She laughed, and I couldn’t stop the giggles that bubbled up my own throat.

I couldn’t control my laughter as he glared at us with a mixture of annoyance and frustration. I couldn’t stop the thought from plaguing my mind. Does he care for me?

his hair was mussed from his bed. I desperately wanted to run my hands through it.

“I’ll kill you, Dacre.” She spoke just as I heard her open the door to our room, and I smiled. “Don’t you dare hurt her.”

“Nyra.” “Yes?” I pushed down the top of my trousers, lifting my hips slightly as I shoved them past my hips, but Dacre wasn’t moving. “Who the fuck did that to you?”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Dacre growled, unmoving. “Who hurt you?”

“You think that anyone could get away with hurting you and that it wouldn’t matter?” He shook his head.

She smiled and my chest ached. “Just do me a favor this once and let him take you.”

She is no longer hiding in the safety of the castle walls. We both know who she is, Dacre, and you must protect her. Protect her at all costs. Everything inside me recoiled at her words. Nyra.

“But the princess?”

I owed my father loyalty, but all I could think about was Nyra.

“I need you,” he whispered hoarsely. His voice was raw, filled with a longing that left me breathless.

“Gods, you’re beautiful.” Dacre closed the gap between us,

I just wanted him and me. Not a rebel and a princess.

Tonight, I wasn’t a princess or anything else that I pretended to be. I was his. No matter what happens. I was his.

“Tell me you’re mine.” His voice was more demanding than I had ever heard before, and I gave him exactly what he wanted. “I’m yours.”