“Thank you, your smartass Highness.” He stepped into my room, his gaze instantly scanning, analyzing everything he saw. He didn’t move any further until he had finished, then he made his way directly to Isa’s crib, not commenting on the sterile surroundings. I blinked when he paused in placing Isa in her crib and reached inside. Without glancing in my direction he held his arm out…with a buzzing bee printed bra dangling from his index finger. I quickly strode over and snatched it from his hand, muttering curses quietly under my breath as I tossed it into the bathroom, letting the tent flap close to hide its untidiness…and possibly more undergarments he could make fun of.
I watched as he kissed her cheek before placing her in the crib, earning a few happy babbles from her, and I froze. Staring. Because right here, right now, in the present day and time as he bent over the crib covering his daughter with her blanket and softly speaking to her…I saw the man I had watched onscreen. There was not an ounce of hardness on his face as he gazed down at her, completely letting down his guard — well, if he hadn’t strategically placed his body to protect himself from me — as he ran his fingers over her hair and spoke to her in such a soothing tone it threatened to make me sleepy.
I knew I was marveling, but I had not thought that man existed anymore, but of course, he did for Isa. His daughter. Just as I came alive with merely a thought of her. Anyone who couldn’t unconditionally love their child, an innocent baby, was a true monster. Though it was still a shock to my system seeing that love in him, the man who had just a week ago called himself heartless…and yes, he was when he needed to be, but not with her.
So there went my idea for going behind his back and filing for a divorce. There was a decent possibility that if I filed, the loopholes in Law One would be revoked, and we would be spelled for separation again, which I wouldn’t mind but…Isa. No, I couldn’t do that to her. She deserved to know this man who had already loved her unreservedly.
I jerked realizing King Zeller was staring at me from where he was bent over her. I flared my nostrils, not really knowing how long he had been watching me as I zoned out, but I stated the truth softly, “I won’t divorce you.”
One eyebrow rose. “I know. Just as I won’t divorce you for the same reasoning.” His head dipped, and I saw his predator peek out, his eyes glowing dimly as he stared. In the softest voice, he stated, “Earlier I said that I wouldn’t be nice if you ever attempted to permanently take her away from me, but the truth is, I will kill you.”
Truth.
I shrugged. “I know that.” And I let my eyes glow, let my wolf ride my voice. “And just the same, I’ll kill you if you do anything to take her away from me.”
Truth.
King Zeller’s lush lips lifted, and I saw the briefest flash of fang. “What a pair we are.”
I snorted, walking to my bed and flopping down on it, staring up at the ceiling. “We don’t trust each other. We have no reason to. We met only a week ago because I was trespassing not only into King Shadow, but into your home. And then there’s the tiny part where you,” my hand flittered, “tortured me.” I chuckled quietly, the action getting a smidge easier, if still sounding unused. “It wasn’t exactly the prime setting for starting our dysfunctional family.”
“Family,” King Zeller murmured in a soft tone, testing the word on his tongue. “I never would have guessed this was what I was mind raped for.” He stood for a few moments by Isa’s crib, then moved so he was standing where my knees hung over the bed.
I lifted my eyebrows, staring up at him. “Remember what I said before you entered.” My eyes went back to the ceiling, so I didn’t see temptation staring me in the face. “I may have had a temporary moment of insanity by starting that kiss earlier,” I paused, then stated begrudgingly, “which was f**king hot as hell,” I sighed heavily, “but it doesn’t mean we’re going to travel down the same path we did before. We’re both changed from this past year. That man and woman on those videos may be able to love their child, but when it comes to others…” I sighed, not bothering to finish.
He did it for me. “When it comes to others, love inevitably brings pain, which we both suffered immensely during this last year.”
I pointed at him. “Exactly.” Placing my hands under my head, I glanced at him where he stood like a huge helping of all things brutal and wild, fanning the flame of attraction and arousal low in my gut. I scowled, not appreciating where my thoughts continued taking me. “Maybe you could wear a sack over your head or something.”
His nostrils flared, and he blinked before he crossed his arms, making his shirt fabric pull tight, muscles showing plainly thanks to the golden sparks that contrasted shadow and light on his body. A purely carnal grin etched his features. “I can help you with that itch.” His gaze roamed my features, sliding down my body. “Because I have to tell you, now that I know why I was mind raped, and seeing some of my past I don’t remember, I’ll shortly be in the right place mentally to have sex.” He saw how my lips thinned even if I tried to hide it, the man appearing not to miss much, and his attention lifted from my mouth to my eyes. He bent slowly until his hands were on either side of my shoulders as he stared down at me. “And as you stated before about loyalty, the same has always held true for me. I am extremely loyal to those I care about, and fidelity in a committed relationship is a quality I have always respected in others.”
His head cocked as he watched me. “I hold no respect for those that cheat on their spouses, and I believe they should be held accountable for their actions…and not nicely.” He bent slowly, speaking softly, being blunt and honest. “So, with that said, and the fact you and I cannot divorce, when I want sex — and believe me, I will — I will be coming to my wife for it, even if I don’t particularly like or trust her.”
I tried not to show I had been holding my breath, so I breathed out shallowly, and stated just as bluntly and honestly, “I’m not a damn blow-up doll, King Zeller,” asshole, “as much as you may wish I was, so I seriously hope you have enough intelligence in that brain of yours to realize that sex unavoidably leads to stronger emotions, which will lead to us taking that same damn path to the same mistakes…and risk another spelled mind sweep and separation. All of those things are unbeneficial to Isa and ourselves.”