Her Devious King

Another predators trap

"She saw us, Your Majesty," Easton blabbered on. "It should've been impossible. I don't think she's a mere human." The King quirked a brow. Was that so? How interesting. No wonder she kept looking away. He had assumed she was too bashful to face him.

..Afterall, he was quite handsome, and women always blushed in his presence. He was familiar with that treatment.Now that he thought about it, she had reddened before him many times.

First, was the flush of her chest that night, and now, it was at almost everything he said. Her skin was creamy smooth, pale like the first fall of snow, so he did not blame her.

Adeline was a treasure box of mysteries, and he intended to unravel every single one of them. Starting with that emerald green dress of hers.

"Your Majesty," Easton whined upon realizing he was being ignored. His lips drew into a gloomy pout, and he regarded the monarch with puppy eyes. "Don't neglect me like this…"

The King felt the urge to kick a puppy. Specifically, this brown-haired, shaggy dog in front of him. "You and your brother are like day and night," he coldly remarked. He scrutinized both of the twins. "But none the beauty and grace."

Weston opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted, "Which isn't a surprise, considering the fact you're in my presence." The King slipped the brooch upon his chest pocket, despite not needing to. Everyone knew his face. Only an imbecile didn't.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Easton whispered to his brother, his brows drawn together. "It means our King is shameless and thinks he's the most fairest in the land," Weston quipped. "Am I not?" the King mused.

Weston's pressed his lips together. He didn't get paid enough to deal with this. Just then, the King's great mood—a rare phenomenon—suddenly dispersed. The warmth fled from his eyes. His face grew icy.

"Who the hell is that?" he demanded.

Weston and Easton whirled around, curious of who they had to behead this time. "Where, where?" Easton asked, like a confused little child. "There," his older brother snapped with a pointed finger.

Judging from the King's stormy features, Weston already knew who had ruined the despot's mood. A tall, lanky man of sizable shoulders and decent physique, was chatting with a woman.

For the first time that night, a smile graced her face. She had never looked more beautiful than when she was happy. But none of that joy was dedicated to the man she had danced with.

The King's little deer was being caught in another predator's trap. And he was far from pleased. The King watched their entire interaction. Her lips, soft as peony petals, moved with ease. Her eyes glimmered, much like that night as she breathed out his name.

A thrill unlike any other jolted through him. He wanted to have his way with her, for as long as the night would last, and that was precisely what had happened.

Adeline was so frail, that he wanted to cherish her dearly. He did not forget how she tasted and felt. Just being near him was enough to overwhelm his senses. She was delectably sweet.

The beautiful flutter of her lashes when she was shy, her startled gasps that quickened her breathing, and the tremble of her fingers. He desired to possess her, bewitch her even. "Such a naughty little prey," he mused.

Yet, there she stood, rosy cheeked and wide eyed for a man that was not him. That was fine. Soon, he would have her begging for him. He licked his tongue over a fang. He would have his way with her body and soul. He would make certain of it.

"Who was that, Adeline?" Asher questioned. His face was nonchalant, despite the storm brewing in his gaze. All he did was turn to retrieve a plate of cake for her. The next thing he knew, she was gone. He had searched high and low for her. His heart was in his lungs when he couldn't find her.

Without warning, some gentleman brought her out to the dance floor. He could not imagine the scene, not once in his lifetime.

Adeline Rose was easily one of the most beautiful women at the ball. At least in his eyes. From her cascading locks of chrysanthemum hair, to her verdant green eyes, she resembled a rare blossom in a meadow of flowers that desperately attempted to mimic her. Alas, none could compare.

"I don't know," Adeline lied. She smiled up at him, knowing he was only concerned for her wellbeing.

Asher was her bodyguard. He had every right to question whoever accompanied her. He needed to ensure her safety, even if there was no one that would ever target her. It was a silly job, really. Why would someone care about a no-name woman like herself? But he insisted.

. Even after the death of her parents and her banishment from her city, Asher followed her. He was her shield and sword.

"Adeline," Asher sternly spoke, like an older brother chastising his disobedient sister. "I swore to your parents I would keep you safe. You must tell me his name."

Adeline flinched at the mention of her parents. It wasn't a conventional death. Even as a child, she knew it was plotted murder. A decade had passed since their demise, but she could never forget their bloodshot eyes and drained, purple skin.

"Adeline Mae Rose," he deadpanned in a deeper voice. "I truly don't know." Adeline loudly sighed. "I wish I did."

Asher's hand twitched. An ache gnawed at his chest. She was intrigued by another man. It was an occurrence that had never happened.

For as long as Asher could remember, she was always caught up within herself.

Adeline had just turned twenty. It was natural for her to finally be interested in men. Yet, for some reason, his heart did not cooperate. The entire time she danced with that stranger, he felt a strange bitterness. He had an urge to kill.

The bloodlust was strong, but he concealed it. His thirst for blood was always strong, though, whenever it concerned Adeline. For the sake of his beloved flower, he hid everything from her.

"That's alright," Asher finally said. "I crossed the line, Princess. I'm sorry."

Adeline frowned with guilt. She uncomfortably shifted in her shoes and tucked her anxious fingers together. She didn't like to hear that title.

It did not belong to her anymore. Regardless of the Royal blood running through her veins, she was a nobody now.

This continent was dominated by a sole King, His Royal Majesty. Everyone else that governed over the cities, apart from the capital, were mere Crown Princes or Crown Princesses, and nothing else. They could never become King.

"Everyone was watching you, Princess," Asher commented. "You know I don't like that title," she griped, her voice no longer meek and kind.

Asher paused and studied her expression before making his next move. Her soft brows were creased, a fiery look in her gentle eyes, her lips thin.

"'I see,' he thought to himself. 'She's upset.'

Asher supposed it couldn't be helped. Regardless, she had displeased him today. It was only fair he returned the favor. Asher had crossed the line. It was written all over her face, which was an open book to him. Though, he preferred for other parts of her to be opened.

Like her heart.

"I apologize, Adeline. However, I am your bodyguard, not your friend," Asher slowly uttered. He chastised her out of love, not anger. "You must understand I care for your wellbeing the most."