No Such King (Bloody Royals, #1)

by Coralee June

I always fucked brunettes. Never blondes. Never anyone that reminded me of her.

Sadly, she was now just a broken woman hurt by the same man who had haunted my nightmares.

I closed my eyes, trying to stay calm. August and I could have been soulmates. If we had met at another time. If he didn’t share blood with an evil man. If I hadn’t left without a word.

Leo looked very handsome. There were some signs of aging on his face, highlighted in the slight lines framing his severe eyes. There was no longer that invincible air about him. Leo Winthrop towered over me. His left cheek had a faded scar that was new to me, although it seemed to have been there for quite some time. His long, dirty blond hair was tied in a bun on top of his head, and his green eyes scanned the length of my body with their sparkling gaze.

Atticus’s eyes were a deep shade of brown and focused on Christine. He was always focused on Christine. Atticus stopped bothering to hide it from me around the same time I realized she was the girl I loved.

No. I don’t love you back. I force myself not to feel anything these days.

“If there will be my ring on anyone’s finger, it’ll be yours,” he said. I chewed on my lip, my heart stalling. “You never answered me last night. Do you remember the night I kissed you?”

Next time I get the chance, it won’t be a chaste tease. I’m going to devour you. You were meant for me. Always meant for me.”

“Look how beautiful you are. Covered in blood. I can almost picture the crown on your head,”

I slammed my fist on the table. “It is what I desire. Wedding takes priority.” I couldn’t let Christine slip from my fingers. If I allowed too much time to pass, she’d find a way out of this. I just knew it.

Maybe he was right. Maybe I wasn’t the man Christine deserved. But I could be. I would be.

“One of these days, you will look back on this moment and feel ashamed of yourself. Christine left under my command.”

I couldn’t sulk like an asshole because Leo was staring at my bride like she was water in a desert. I couldn’t fight with Atticus because he called me out on all of my shit. And I definitely couldn’t let Christine keep her secrets any longer.

“You’ve been running from me for as long as I can remember. Let me catch you, love.”

“Well, would you look at that, Leo?” Atticus said. “See that look on his face? I think a king was just born. I’ll go check on Christine.”

Christine got whatever the fuck she wanted, no questions asked.

You become stronger. Dive headfirst into your demons and conquer them. It’s one of the things I love about you.”

“Why do you have tears in your eyes, pretty girl? Who do I need to murder?”

“Because power allows me to be closer to you. To protect you. To take care of you. August is king, but I am not afraid to be a monster, Christine. A monster isn’t hesitant to fight or to get their hands bloody. I can accomplish things he wouldn’t get away with. I don’t have a moral compass, which means I don’t give a fuck who I have to hurt to get to you. Monsters aren’t afraid of the dark, baby.”

With August, I had to become what I feared. With Atticus, I got to accept the darkest parts of my soul. And somewhere between all of that, Leo was there too. We were trauma bonded, the rugged bodyguard and I.

And I wasn’t sure if I was falling for Atticus because he offered a sense of freedom or because I genuinely loved that he was a monster like me.

“Total it, baby. As long as you don’t hurt yourself, I don’t give a fuck about the car.” Swoon.

“Do what, Little Monster?” he whispered so softly I almost didn’t hear him. What the fuck? They had pet names now? I needed a cute name for her. Like mine or tightest pussy I’ve ever dicked.

“Does Leo make you happy?” I forced out. Fuck Leo. And fuck Atticus, too. They could both suck a dick made of thorns for all I cared.

“Be broken, love. I’m always here for you. Every bit of your soul. But I want you to have what you need. Even if that’s not me right now. And if you need someone to tame your monster, I’ll get Atticus here. He’s already fighting with the guards, demanding to be let inside the castle anyway.”

Because you’re an insufferable asshole, and I didn’t want to deal with you.

I didn’t understand this side of her. I didn’t know how she could just fucking snap and slice that motherfucker’s neck. I was a lover, not a fighter.

He ground his teeth for a moment. “You know, when I worked out this happily ever after, I didn’t factor in a third.”

“Then, I was going to let her marry you but be in love with me.” I scoffed. “How bloody generous of you.”

“Because for some fucking reason, that girl thinks you’re worth it. So fucking man up and act like the person she thinks you are. Your self-pity isn’t doing anyone any good. And if you ever walk away from her again, I’ll put a knife in your back.” I was shocked. Was Atticus seriously suggesting we share her?

“If you ever try to leave me again, I’ll tie you to my bed and make you scream my name until the whole castle hears. I’ll give you everything, Christine. Everything your beautiful heart desires. You want to go on a killing spree? I’ll line up men at your door. You want to share your heart with someone? I’ll rip mine from my fucking chest so you can see how it beats for you. I waited years for this. Watched you. Cared for you from afar. I’ve known since we were both teens that you were it for me. So don’t let something as fucking ridiculous as worrying what someone else will think get in my way. I’ll destroy them all if I have to.”

“Nod like a good girl so I know you understand.” I did what anyone would do at that moment. I nodded.

“She said emeralds stand for truth and love. I suppose I always want to be truthful with you, and I do love you.

“I’m afraid I can’t ask you,” he replied. “You see, Christine, if I asked, that would imply you had any say in this. But it’s not my mother, this Crown, or your so-called crimes that draw us together. It’s…fate. As obscure and obsolete of a construct as that is, you’ve been mine since the day you were born. You’ve had my heart since that night you moved in. We have been meant to belong together for as long as I can remember. It’s too late to stop now. It’s too late to ask.”