The Three Kings (Forsaken #3)

by Penelope Barsetti

“It’s nothing personal.” “Nothing personal?” I asked, my eyebrow cocking. “Not being attracted to someone is very personal.” He looked away, his shoulders falling with the breath he released. “It’s not you⁠—” “Grow some balls and just say it⁠—” “I want to eat you.” He looked at me again, and this time, his eyes were deadly, like the desire coursed through his veins that very moment. I shut my mouth. His stare continued, fixed in place, unblinking. “You said you weren’t hungry.” “I’m not.” My sword was right beside me, but I didn’t reach for it right away. But I was ready to slice his head clean from his shoulders. “When we came together, I could feel it.” “Feel what?” “Your soul. It’s like a bonfire. It has the energy of all the gods in the heavens. It’s brighter than the stars that light up the night sky. It’s the single most powerful thing I’ve ever come close to. I’ve never felt anything like that in my life, and when I felt it…I wanted it for myself.” The disappointment hit me harder. “You and I…it’s never going to happen.” I was in danger that very moment, but I still didn’t feel as afraid as I should. “Do you want to eat me right now?” “A little bit.” He looked away, as if too ashamed to look me in the eye as he said those words. “Have you always felt that way?” “No.” “So, it was only after⁠—” “You drove me fucking crazy against that tree.” His eyes remained averted, looking into the shadows of the trees around us. “I only stopped because I had to. Only stopped becau...

“Don’t be. The last thing I want is for you to feel bad for me.” “Why?” “Because that’s pussy shit.” I refilled my glass and took another drink. “Feeling your feelings because I care about you is not pussy shit.” His voice was warm and thick like honey when it poured out of a bottle. “It’s not my place to have an opinion about Queen Rolfe’s behavior, but I have the right to feel your sorrow—and I do.” “I don’t feel sorrow⁠—” “You don’t have to put up a front with me. I find this no-nonsense, no-bullshit attitude sexy as hell, but we’re past that. There’s more to you than meets the eye, and I can see all those layers now. It’s okay to be hurt. I would feel the same way.”

He settled between my thighs but didn’t sink inside me. “You should be afraid right now.” I grabbed on to his hips and tilted my pelvis, wanting to drag him inside me. “Bastian…” I gave him a tug. “I’ve never wanted you more.”

“I wish I could come with you.” “This is where you belong, Elora. With your people.” “You’re my people too, Bastian.” He stared for a while longer before he hooked his strong arms around my body and embraced me harder. “Even if I lose my life with what’s to come, the destruction of Necrosis will still bring me joy. So, if we don’t see each other again…kill them all. Kill them for me.”