All Kings favorite Human

Envious King

AGATHA'S POV

"You defied my orders. I made it clear I'm never to see you with that bastard librarian." King Atticus bellows his voice deceptively soft. Yet I can feel the rage underneath.

For a second, I just stare at him, paralyzed. How did he find out? We were only on the beach for a few minutes while he was with my stepsisters. "We just talked, Your Majesty. Nothing more."

His expression darkens. "I don’t care what you did. What you need to understand is this isn’t the human world, here there are consequences to your actions."

He calls out loudly in words I don't understand and the two guards who were stationed at the door earlier comes in and bow.

A sick feeling inside me spreads throughout my body. “I’m sorry! You won't see us together anymore! I won’t go near him again, I promise!” My words are hurried and jumbled.

" I’m a man of my word, Agatha." He says then turns his attention to the guards and says curtly, “ Arrest Adrian Oceanus and throw him into the dungeons."

A horrified gasp escapes my lips. What has Adrian done wrong? I’m not even cognizant of moving and I find myself standing before him. "Please, no . . .I won’t see Adrian again. Please believe me . . .” I don’t know if I can prevent what’s about to happen, but I have to try.

"I do believe you, but I still want you to learn once and for all that you don't go against my orders.” There’s no emotion on his beautiful face as he nods to his guards and they leave.

I feel my anger start to rise.

"Why are you being so cruel? Punish me if you must." His eyes narrow, and I realize that I just made a mistake. You don't address the king in such a manner. He gets to his feet and fear rushes through me.

"Do you wish to join him in the dungeons?" He asks while narrowing the space between us.

I bite down on my tongue and fight to remain still as he steps closer to stand directly in front of me. His beautiful scent fills my nostrils.

I shake my head. He doesn't seem particularly angry about my insult, which is a big relief. And of course the last thing I want is to get thrown into a cell, I don't know how awful they are here. I imagine cold and riddled with rats. I despise rats.

"Look at me,” he orders and I do. He is so beautiful up close. I would rarely or maybe even never say that about a man. I had probably only thought about a handful men in my life, but King Atticus is . . . f**k! Why is my mind even thinking about he's just ordered my friend to be locked up.

"Now I am saying this one last time, Agatha. If I ever see you with him again, it will not just be him, you'll both regret it."

I frown. "Adrian is not a royal and we have a bond. He's my friend."

"A friend?" King Atticus snorts. "The only bond you have is with me. I am your mate. And it is to me only that you owe obedience and respect."

"Yet you share your bed with my stepsisters,” I shoot back. “Why is it acceptable for you to be with them while I am f*******n from even speaking to my friend? How's that fair?"

"I'm the king, dear," he replies with a casual arrogance. "I can bed whomever I choose."

Well, that feels like a blow to the gut. Even if I already knew and accepted it

"I'll accept your rejection then, your majesty.” I reply and the amusement instantly drains from his face and his expression turns cold.

“Don’t be stupid,” he warns.

"You’re going to marry my stepsisters eventually, so I might as well accept it now."

I wait. He doesn't answer he just looks at me coldly.

"I'll tell you what, Agatha," he begins, his voice low. "Do you know why I allowed you to come along with my brides?"

I shake my head, I have always asked myself the same question. Why would he accept me as a servant of his brides when they could have had another trained servant here.

"I let you come because I realized you didn’t have much of a life there," He looks at me with pity.

"It wasn't perfect, but it was still my life," I spit. Despite everything I hadn’t given up on it. I always believed in possibilities. So screw him and his pity.

“From everything I surmised it wasn’t all that much of a life.” He smirks.

He is right, though. What was out there for me on the human kingdom? An uncaring family, no friends, and a past I long to forget.

"Here, in my kingdom you’re fed, clothed, and sheltered. Above all, you’ll be compensated for your work," he continues, his tone matter-of-fact.

And he’s right again. I’m completely dependent on him, utterly at his mercy.

"Now, let me tell you what will happen if you dare accept my rejection, I’ll send you right back to your father." His smirk drips with arrogance.

I’m so shocked that I just stand there.I’m more than ever convinced that he’s crazy.

"Relax. I won’t do that as long as you behave yourself."

"Like you care how I feel," I spit back.

“You might be surprised how much I do, Agatha. I know, I too am surprised ,” he replies with a mocking grin.

"You may leave," he dismisses me with a wave of his hand.

*********

I enter my stepsisters chambers to find Lirith waiting eagerly for me.

"You’re back! " She exclaims making her way to me and leans closer, lowering her voice. "Adrian has been arrested and thrown into the palace cells! You should go check on him!"

I feel my stomach twist with guilt. "I can’t. I was actually going to ask you to do that for me," I say regretfully.

Lirith’s expression shift to shock. "Why not? He’s your friend!"

"It’s my fault he’s locked up," I admit.

"Your fault? How can that be?" Lirith asks, bewildered.

"Because I was spending time with him... and the king Atticus found out.".

Lirith's eyes widen. "But the rules don’t work that way! Adrian would need to report that a servant was... involved with him. And If anyone would have been punished, it would be you!"

How do I even explain this to her, I guess I'll have to tell her the truth. That I'm king Atticus true mate. He hates me but is still envious of anyone else he sees me with.