The Alpha King Marked Me. I Still Haven't Told Him I'm A Girl novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Twelve

Rage roars through me like a living thing. I seize his doublet with both hands and haul him close enough that I can see his black irises expand.

"If you think for one second I’ll let you insult my father’s name," I say, teeth bared, "you’re wrong. One more word and I’ll forget you’re a prince at all."

Prince Rafe blinks once. Slow. Before wrapping his fingers around my wrist. His skin is hot to touch, his body hard like carved marble. "I’m fucking terrified of you, peasant."

His words toe the line of sarcasm, but...his eyes drop to my lips. Time hiccups as his thumb brushes my pulse, finding it pounding.

My anger stutters, a different kind of heat flaring in its place. Something thick fills the air between us, pulling, like a cord snapped tight. My breath hitches as I notice the distance between us has grown even thinner.

Did he move closer? Or did I? And have his eyes always burned like that--

"Rafe?" someone calls out.

The voice tears us apart with lightning speed and Prince Rafe topples his goblet in an attempt to shove some space between us.

Astrea walks in, her white dress flowing behind her, hair bound in luscious curls fit for a princess, and when her eyes land on me, her smile falters.

She looks between the Prince and I, feeling the dangerous edge in the air.

My cheeks betray me, burning a bright shade of crimson. In my peripheral, Prince Rafe looks no better, red-faced and embarrassed, looking like he’d been caught found something he absolutely should not. Like almost...kissing his male subordinate.

"Your placement..." His voice is uncharacteristically husky and he clears his throat, fingers fidgeting at his cuff. "Your placement is in the Northern Wing. Your things are currently being moved. You will be quartered with the elite there. You will eat at their table. You will wear their colours."

His air of arrogance is back as he strides for the pile by the hearth, fishing out a pair of slacks and what looks like new armour. He dumps them in my arms unceremoniously, and I nearly fall from their weight, grunting.

"You will report to the tower’s yard two hours before the others wake," he continues, voice cold in his command. "Before the sentries make their rounds, every commander inspects the lines. Yours will be the first to see you sweat every morning."

Grasping at the very straws to understand him, having never heard much about the flanks before, I ask, "Who is my commander?"

Hopefully, I get someone who doesn’t hate my guts as much as he does.

As if hearing my thoughts, he places his hands on his hips and smirks. "I command the Northern Wing. I will oversee your training. Personally."

Something about the way he says it makes dread uncoil in my stomach. Interpretation? I’m going to make you suffer. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"When the day’s rounds begin, you remain and continue. You are behind the others. Every hour will earn you a chance at survival."

Astrea makes a non-committal sound, sauntering over to Rafe’s side. I try not to notice the way his hand curves around her thin waist and she sighs in pleasure as he lowers his head and he nips her ear.

And I wonder if she notices that he’s looking right at me when he does it.

"You don’t think it’s a terrible idea to give a man still under investigation a place in your flank?" Astrea purrs throatily and another strange pang echoes in my chest as she draws her adept fingers over his toned belly.

He groans, catching her fingers before they can push into his pants.

As if remembering that I am present, Prince Rafe turns his grey eyes to me. "If you are indeed, a spy, the most sensible course of action is to keep you closer. It is easier to cut out a traitor when said traitor is within reach."

My lips part on a retort, but he waves me off. "You are dismissed."

I have barely made it out the door when I hear the sound of smooches and rustling fabrics.

Worthless. I was worthless. Until that night. And I want to know what changed.

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