Viciously Yours (Fae Kings of Eden, #1)

by Jamie Applegate Hunter

“You will always be someone else’s villain, whether you deserve the title or not. Your duty is to ensure their hate is unjustified.”

Royal fae needed to be at their full power to protect their kingdoms once they took over, and because of this, the gods bound them to their own kingdoms until they took the throne at twenty-five. Fae pulled magic from their lands, and leaving fae lands before they were fully grown would weaken their magic. For normal fae, they came to full power at thirteen, and even if they left before then, it didn’t mean much. For royal fae, the stakes were higher, and because they were stronger, it took longer for their power to fully manifest.

P.S. This might sound stupid, but when I’m upset, I sit outside and talk to my mother. My father says she can hear us in the heavens. You should try it. She’d probably like to hear from you, too.

Everything she did mesmerized him, even the way she ate her small sandwich. Is that all she brought to eat? he wondered with a frown. Greta bristled, no happier with Amelia’s meager lunch than he was. Feed your mate. I will, he promised the owl, who was poised to attack if anyone tried to take Amelia’s apple. Seeing Amelia for the first time was unlike anything he’d ever experienced, and he knew, without a doubt, that he would love her more than anyone had ever loved another. * * * Letter #24 Hello, Love, My imagination did not do you justice. You are beautiful. Yours, Nick P.S. Are the other girls at the orphanage taking your food? I’ve included a basket of things for you to keep in your room, just in case.

Rennick watched Amelia through the window of her school as she grinned at a boy with dark blond hair and a stupid smile.

Lol

Happy Birthday, Love, I hope you like the book bag. I noticed you juggling stacks of books and thought it would be easier if you had a sturdy bag to put them in. Ora said the bag was “cute” and that you would like it. I included one for Clover, too. Inside the bag is a mold of my hand, so when you feel like holding someone’s hand, you can hold mine and not the lanky blond boy’s who walked you home. Seeing your perfect hand in his unworthy one made me murderous, little mate. You are mine, and I will do whatever is necessary to keep you, no matter how unconventional or vicious I have to be. Always remember that. Viciously Yours, Nick P.S. I wish I knew your favorite color. Mine is red, like blood.

EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY Letter #57 Happy Birthday, Love, You grow more beautiful every day. Did you know I can feel you touch yourself at night? It took me a few times to realize what you were doing. Do you think about me when you do? Tonight, imagine my tongue trailing across your skin because one day it will. I’ll taste every inch of you. Being away from you is physically painful at times, but each day is one day closer until we meet. Don’t be upset, but a dress was taken from your room while leaving my last letter. I have returned it along with five new ones made in the same style and size. Ora assisted the seamstress in picking out the best fabrics to use. The chests have been made slightly bigger because I noticed yours seemed tight. If you enjoy your clothing tight, please use the money I’ve left to have them altered. I want you to be comfortable. Viciously Yours, Nick P.S. There’s also a sling. I know they’re to carry infants, but I think your fox will fit too.

The garish brown fabric mocked Amelia as she stared at the mirror. It had a hideous floral pattern with mixtures of red, pink, purple, and yellow. If she ever met Ora, she would choke her with it.

Not only did she hear from Nick less and less, but his letters grew shorter each time. And they always mentioned Ora. * * * “I know what you’re doing, princess,” Finn said as he approached Ora. The girl was beautiful, but the older they got, the more Finn saw her for what she was: a snake.

Rennick wavered in the middle of the celebration as Amelia’s emotions stole his breath. They were celebrating the capture of the leader of the rebel faction they’d chased for years, but the celebration halted, and people stopped to stare at Rennick clutching Finn’s arm. Nervous energy zipped through him, and his breaths grew shorter. His brain tried to sort out what he felt. Not fear or pain, but excitement and pleasure tainted with… obligation and guilt were the best words he could think to describe it.

As his breathing evened out and the tingles subsided, his heart dropped at the realization of what he’d felt. She gave someone what Rennick thought would be his.

Rennick knew he should have told Amelia his letters might stop for a while, but he hadn’t. He laughed humorlessly at the irony of timing. A letter sat on his desk to be

Time stood still when Amelia’s soft laugh floated from across the street, where a man walked her down the cobblestone sidewalk toward the boardinghouse. Rennick wanted Greta to attack him, but the owl held firm. The man walked Amelia to her porch, kissed her cheek, and waved goodbye. She smoothed her hair, giving him a smile that men went to war for. A smile Rennick would do far worse for. He drank in everything about her down to the rosy hue of her cheeks until she disappeared inside.

Rennick wasn’t a cruel man; he never had been. He was rational and level-headed, always thinking ten steps ahead, and the ability to rule came naturally to him. Everyone loved him, and he loved his kingdom. But Amelia meant more to him than his kingdom ever would, and if he had to dirty his soul to keep her, so be it.

One was severely beautiful with a tall, broad frame and piercing light eyes that stood out against his dark hair and lightly tanned skin. He was the largest man she’d ever seen. The five o’clock shadow did nothing to hide his strong jaw or the dimple in his cheek accompanying his gorgeous smile.

Finn’s eyes went wide, and he tried to pull out of her grasp, but he wasn’t fast enough. Rennick grabbed him by the neck and threw him back with an animalistic snarl. He heard his best friend hit the ground with a grunt, but he didn’t care. All he cared about was his mate’s terrified scream. He reached for her, but she jumped away and moved toward Finn. “Stay back!” Finn yelled as he scrambled backward. “Don’t fucking yell at her,” Rennick bellowed, taking a menacing step forward. Finn moved farther away and said to Amelia, “Don’t touch me or your mate will rip me in half.”

Lol

Rennick grabbed the collar of his own and ripped it down the middle. Amelia’s brow lowered in confusion as she looked between them. Then realization shuddered across her face when her eyes landed on the tattoo covering half of Rennick’s chest and neck. He smirked when her eyes trailed hungrily over his bare torso with desire. “Do you like what you see, little mate?” he drawled, closing the distance between them. Ever so slowly, he reached for her, and when she didn’t cower from his touch, he gently lifted her chin to run his thumb over her soft bottom lip. “My name is Rennick, and you are mine, love, not his.”

Rennick stared for a moment. “I can feel your embarrassment.” Great, a walking lie detector.

Averting her eyes, she mumbled, “I slept in only my undergarments on top of the blankets sometimes for you.” She covered her face again. The air around them thickened with tension, and when she peeked around her hands, she saw every vein in Rennick’s neck straining against his skin as he turned ever so slowly toward Finn. Finn cursed for the hundredth time and backed up. “I never looked at her like that, Ren.” His words didn’t deter the giant angry fae, and Amelia dashed forward, instinctively wrapping her arms around her mate’s middle. He stopped, though his body still vibrated with anger. “You would defend him?” His tone sent chills skittering across her skin.

Lol

He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers, killing whatever she had to say. “Thank you. I’m not hungry, but if you are, I will cook for you.”

“I killed him.” Lying would have eased her fears, but she needed to know him completely. He was a man who would slaughter the masses for her without question. Not even the gods held as much power over him as she did.

“Everyone has a moral line they won’t cross.” His chest heaved, and Amelia braced a trembling hand against his chest. “I don’t need a line to know what’s considered good or bad, but if I did, there isn’t a line I wouldn’t cross for you.” He lowered himself and brushed his lips against hers. “I will write your name on my chest with the blood of any man who tries to covet what is meant to be ours. Innocent or not.”

“What about the royal fae who don’t rule the kingdoms?” He’d told her in an old letter that he was an only child, but what if he’d had siblings? After a beat, he responded, “Royals usually only have one child.” She lifted a skeptical brow. “Usually?” “Anything is possible,” he said cryptically.

“I like knowing when something affects you enough to travel down the bond. When you’re overjoyed, so am I, and when you hurt, I will destroy whatever caused you to feel that way.”

He tugged on the ends of her hair, and she tilted her head back. “Your happiness is not the only thing that makes me happy, but make no mistake, if a sacrifice is required, I will do it. Nothing is more important to me than you, little mate. Never forget that.”

“Stop threatening to kill people,” she whisper-yelled, calming slightly at his touch. “You can’t murder someone for not liking me. You would likely have no kingdom left.” He straightened and shrugged. “It would be easier to manage.”

Lol

When he and Amelia crested the top of the staircase, that dark feeling was gone, and he wondered if he’d imagined it. He led her up another set of stairs, and asked, “Did Ora make you uncomfortable?” Amelia smoothed her skirts and looked straight ahead. “No. I’m nervous.”

One thing she learned today was that Ora would be a problem, and if Amelia had to fight dirty for her mate, she would.

“Most people don’t do whatever it takes for someone they don’t love,” Fawn said with a tinge of sadness. “You’re thinking too hard about what you should feel instead of what you do feel.”

The unknown voice said with a giggle, “You’re terrible, Ren.” Rennick’s deep laugh followed. “No worse than you. Do you have any plans today?” The linens in Amelia’s hands fell to the ground, and Birdie’s brow lowered, looking between Amelia and the study. “Are you okay?” the older woman whispered low enough for only them to hear. “Who is the woman with him?” Amelia whispered back, already knowing the answer. “That’s Miss Ora.” The sympathy in Birdie’s voice was too much. Did she think Ora was his mate and Amelia was his mistress? Amelia’s heart that beat nervously moments before shattered, joining the crumpled sheets on the floor. She wanted to disappear, to go home, to do anything but stand in the hall and listen to him with her.

Birdie jumped back, looking around frantically. “What in the world?” Her hand reached out, bumping into Amelia’s shoulder. “Where did you go?” “What do you mean?” she asked the woman, still staring at the office. “You’re a royal,” Birdie breathed in awe.

Her eyes flashed as she took a step toward him. “She touched your arm like a lover, a familiarity we can’t have in public, and you let her.” He digested her words and stabbed a hand through his hair, deciding which part to tackle first, but her eyes were wild. “I left my home and my kingdom for you! You asshole!”

She was right. If a man touched her arm in such a manner, he would no longer have a hand. Rennick removed his shirt, tossing it to the ground. “Where did she touch me?” Amelia faltered, a bit of her anger giving way to confusion. “What?” “Where did she touch me?” he repeated, punctuating every word as he held out his arms. “I was distracted. Show me exactly where.” Her eyes turned to slits. “This isn’t a fucking joke, Rennick.” “I’m not laughing, love.” Annoyance pulled at her mouth. “Your right arm.” “Where on my right arm?” She stared for a moment and touched his upper arm lightly. “Here.” Leaning down, he removed a dagger from his boot, held it against his skin, and sliced downward, flicking his wrist outward to remove a thin layer of skin.

“Why in the seven rings of hell would you do that?” Rennick stepped into her space and wrapped his hand around her nape. “There is no longer any part of my body she has touched.” He kissed her forehead and felt her fury and jealousy dissolve. “You were wearing long sleeves,” she croaked. “She didn’t touch your skin.” He shrugged. “I’ll burn the shirt, too.” “Why is that attractive?” she muttered quietly, eliciting a wide smile from him. “I will kill her and serve you her head on a silver platter.”

“I was being facetious.” Not really. “Ora will no longer be allowed in our palace.” He needed to rid their relationship of the other woman. “Tomorrow, we’ll tell her together. I wish you’d told me sooner.” Her eyes lit up. “I get to be there?” He laughed, loving his mate’s possessive streak. “You can be the one to tell her.”

It was strange—the feeling he had that day that had nothing to do with their bond and everything to do with her. Over the years, Finn and Ora called it infatuation that later turned to obsession, and they were right, but there was love, too.

Fucking Finn, that handsome bastard.

A loud knock sounded from the other side of the door. “Come in.” Ora peeked her head in, her long black hair swinging like a silk curtain. “Is it okay if I come in?” “No,” he replied, placing Amelia’s letter on the stack. She laughed lightly and strutted in anyway. “You’ve been testy since yesterday. Is your friend not performing well?”

“No,” he deadpanned. “If you had been able to read my emotions, you would’ve known that when I looked at you, I felt nothing but platonic friendship. No part of me has ever desired you in a romantic or sexual way. Release whatever fantasy you’re holding on to.”

She had to calm his insecurities before he burned the entire world to ash.

“I love you,” she blurted, cringing at her botched delivery.

With his attention locked on her, he wrapped his hands around the sides of her neck and tilted her head back. “You love me.” She licked her suddenly dry lips. “Yes. I wanted to tell you in a grand way,” that I hadn’t thought of yet, “but my mouth decided it couldn’t wait.” He lowered his face, hovering his lips above hers. “Mine can’t either.”

Breaking their kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. “I love you too, little mate. I always have.”

“He’s not a familiar,” Rennick added quickly, not wanting anyone to get any ideas, “but he is a domesticated pet.” Charlie glared at Rennick again, and he fought a laugh. Definitely her familiar. He wondered when her mark and their bond would appear.

There was something to be said about being a man’s first and knowing no other woman had touched him intimately before her. A possessiveness she’d not known reared its ugly head, and an understanding of her mate’s behavior settled in her soul. He was hers, and she couldn’t wait to tell Ora to get the fuck out of their home tomorrow. Maybe I will let him fuck me while the princess watches.

Amelia’s eyes turned to slits from the far side of the table where she still stood with the maid. “Hello again,” she greeted Ora with a tight smile. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight. Do you live here as part of the staff?”

Omg

“That’s Amelia’s seat,” he said coolly, deciding not to kill her in front of everyone. He’d do that out of sight of prying eyes. Ora leaned forward and looked around him at Amelia. “I’ve always sat here. You don’t mind, do you?” Another challenge. Everyone knew the queen sat on the king’s right. It’s true she’d always sat there, but he thought it was so she could talk with him and Finn during meals. His mate bared her teeth in a dangerous smile but kept her voice pleasant. “Not at all.” His face darkened, ready to rip Ora out of the chair, but Amelia subtly squeezed his arm. He raised a brow at her. What are you planning, little mate? She gestured for him to sit down. With growing curiosity over her intentions, he obeyed. Amelia stopped him from scooting his chair under the table and lowered herself onto his lap, giving Ora her back with her legs pointed at Finn.

Amelia sat up and twisted to look down at him with stinging eyes over how readily he jumped at the chance to make her happy without a second thought. “I don’t deserve you.” “You’re right.” Her stomach plummeted. “You deserve better, and I’ll try to be that for you.”

“I can train until I’m blue in the face and I still wouldn’t be as strong as the weakest fae. Half of the fae, if not more, won’t respect a human queen. You and I both know it. If it weren’t for the bond, you wouldn’t have looked at me twice.” He sat up so fast that she fell back with a squeak. She’d only felt his emotions once, but she felt them now, and he was pissed. “You are everything I need and better than anything I ever wanted.” Words escaped her at the fierceness in his declaration. “You think I give a fuck that you’re physically weak?”

“If we weren’t mates, I’d pray our paths never crossed.” She flinched, his words inflicting physical pain. “My fated mate wouldn’t have stood a chance. No bond could compare to how you make me feel. Don’t ever question my loyalty and love for you again.” “I’m sorry,” she whispered. Her eyes blurred with tears, overwhelmed with gratitude.