Chapter 6

CERION

~Damn that woman~, I thought, running a hand through my hair. She had barely said a word, yet somehow, she managed to get under my skin.

I didn’t want to return to the party, so I went back to my bedroom, getting more annoyed with every step. I slammed the door to my bedroom and curled my palms into fists. I was tense—my skin even showed it as my knuckles turned white.

I had almost decided right there on the balcony that she’d be my queen—that I’d make her mine. But after her response, I was at a loss.

She was right, in a way. She was barely more than a girl. The other women would be thrilled to be my queen, but still, Kira intrigued me.

She was a mystery, full of contradictions. ~A puzzle I am dying to solve~.

I slammed my fist against the wall, frustrated by her rejections and the way she seemed to dictate my choices. She had all but told me that I couldn’t have her.

~And that is driving me absolutely crazy~.

A knock sounded on my bedroom door, and I ignored it, still seething. The second knock came with Theodora’s voice. “My king…,” she said softly.

Just what I needed—a clumsy attempt from Theodora to snag the role of queen. I laughed as I went to open the door.

Theodora stood there in a loose green robe that barely clung to her shoulders, exposing her soft skin. “Yes, Princess Theodora?” I murmured, cracking open the door a little wider.

“Won’t you let me come in?” she asked, her lips in a seductive pout. I figured I might as well let her in.

A night with her couldn’t hurt, especially since I already knew I wouldn’t choose her as my queen. Theodora strolled in, confidence oozing from her every move.

She was beautiful, but they all were. She thought she had the queen gig in the bag.

~Think again~.

She practically threw her robe to the ground as she ran her fingertips along my chest. “My king, I was hoping you weren’t busy…” she purred. “Do you have time for me?” She batted her eyelashes. I ran my fingers through her fiery hair as I brought my lips to hers.

But as I kissed her with my eyes closed, I wasn’t thinking about her. I was thinking of Kira, of her luscious blonde hair, her soft lips, her delicate features.

I stripped off my clothing, tossing it on the floor. Theodora wrapped her legs around my waist, pressing against me. I lifted her and laid her body across the silk sheets of my bed.

She spread out naturally, her thighs parting, inviting me in. But I couldn’t get the image of Kira out of my head.

I pictured Kira in Theodora’s place, eagerly spread across my bed, longing to please me. Kira, believing I was a man and not a monster, and not only the Dragon of Ruin.

As I opened my eyes to kiss her deeply again, I was left with Theodora’s face, her lips curled in a moan. I tore off her undergarments, feeling how wet she was.

I closed my eyes again, picturing Kira instead as I thrust into her. Theodora’s image was replaced with visions of Kira—me inside her, beneath her, feeling her come undone.

Reality came crashing back as I opened my eyes and saw Theodora’s body splayed across my bed. “Time to go, Princess,” I said, standing up and walking toward my bathroom. I started running a bath.

She didn’t move.

“Now.”

Theodora frowned, but she obeyed, still thinking she had a shot at becoming queen. Clutching her undergarments to her, she sashayed out the door.

I sank into the boiling water of my bath, replaying my false memories.

I couldn’t get Kira’s face out of my head even after being with another woman. I thought about how she was surely a virgin with the way she acted.

I imagined what it would feel like to be inside her, beneath her, to hear her calling my name. My cock twitched, ready to go again. ~I really should stop fantasizing~.

As I soaked in my bathtub, I heard another knock at my door. ~Who could it be this time?~ I groaned and sat up.

Then my mind tricked me, and I started to believe it could be Kira. But I knew better—Kira was shy, respectful, and would never approach my bedroom at ten o’clock at night.

I put on a towel and opened the door to find Helen, her sultry gaze upon me. Her eyes trailed down my body, taking in my shirtless form before her lips twisted in a smile.

“Good evening, my king. May I join you?”

I shook my head, feeling a mix of frustration and desire. Hell, I wished Helen would join me, but I knew it wouldn’t be right.

I’d already decided she wouldn’t be my queen, and I’d probably be thinking about Kira the whole time anyway.

Helen stalked off, her face a storm of emotions after my refusal. ~These women are relentless~, I thought, running a hand through my hair.

This wasn’t the way to become a queen, but it just showed what kind of queens they’d be.

I flopped onto my bed, my mind spinning. Thoughts of Kira kept creeping in, but then there was Anya.

She was quiet, maybe a little boring, but full of ambition. She wanted to be queen, and she wanted me.

~Should I choose her~? I wondered, staring up at the ceiling. She’d be the easier choice, less complicated.

But just as I was considering it, there was another knock. Anya was at my door. I turned her away, just like I did with Helen.

The anger that exploded across her face surprised me. This boring woman was just as scornful and determined as the others.

She’d do anything to become queen, and in that moment, she made my decision for me.

~I couldn’t reasonably choose a woman who threw herself at me before she was my queen, could I~? It didn’t feel right.

Out of common decency, I knew I shouldn’t, and I knew I wouldn’t. My mind drifted back to Kira.

I had made my choice the moment I laid eyes on her, if I was being honest. She wasn’t the logical choice and wouldn’t be just a figurehead or someone to give me heirs.

She was an illogical choice—one that would tear apart my self-control, create problems, and stir up foreign emotions. One that I’d try not to ruin.

As I lay there, I realized I was in for one hell of a ride. But maybe, just maybe, it would be worth it.