Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

S ungard

The Dark King

I didn't have the patience for such a weakling, a human at that, and yet, as the girl thrashed over my shoulder, I found her will admirable, tempting even.

"I told you to put me down," she shouted, her voice high and clear.

She beat against my back with her tiny fists, and I sighed. She was certainly going to need that spirit for what was coming for her next.

"And I told you that you're coming with me," I said, my tone unyielding.

She struggled once more, but I didn't let her down. Honestly, her attempt to escape me was laughable, but I didn't voice my opinion, instead just chuckling to myself as I smacked her ass hard enough to make her yelp. Her whimpers were like music to my ears, and I grinned as I walked through the streets.

Now what was I to do with her?

The moment I had set eyes on her, I knew she had been the one the seer had warned me about, her golden eyes glinting in the sunlight. They were mesmerizing, a color so rare it was almost otherworldly. Maybe even magical.

Her dark hair cascaded around her face in wild, untamed waves, framing features that were ethereally beautiful. High cheekbones, a small, defiant little nose, and full lips that would have been tempting if I weren't focused on the power she represented, or what her sacrifice could grant me in the end.

Her skin, though marred with the grime of the streets, hinted at a softness and warmth that was wholly foreign to me. Each time she twisted and turned, trying to free herself, I could feel the raw energy coursing through her veins.

Dragon magic.

Because that's what she was, a girl with dragon magic coursing through her veins, whether she knew it or not.

I glanced down at her as I carried her through the darkened streets, my mind racing. I needed to get her back to Helheim, away from the prying eyes and the relentless sunlight of Sungard. It wasn't safe for me here. Away from Helheim, my power was weakened and if the Sun King knew I was walking his streets, he would have attacked long ago.

There was something about her, something that was drawing me in. Maybe it was just excitement over finally finding the last piece of the puzzle or maybe it was just curiosity about her. I didn't know. I didn't much care either.

But I knew what the sound of that thunderous boom when we locked eyes meant.

She was not only the last sacrifice needed for me to fulfill the prophecy, to be granted the ultimate power to rule over five kingdoms as king.

She was my mate .

The warning the seer had given me made more sense now. Did she think I would let this deter me?

It didn't matter.

I wouldn't allow a silly concept such as fated mates to distract me from the destiny that lay ahead. I would fulfill the prophecy, and that was how it would be.

"Why are you doing this?" she demanded, her voice breaking through my thoughts.

"Because, little thief, you are more important than you realize," I said in a low growl.

She fell silent, her struggles lessening as the weight of my words sank in. I could feel her fear, her confusion, but also the spark of defiance that refused to be extinguished. She would fight me every step of the way, and though it would be a challenge, it was one I relished.

Maybe, just maybe I'd allow myself to enjoy this.

I'd reigned over Helheim for more than a thousand years, ever since my father passed and left his dark throne to me. For centuries, I had been plotting, planning, and scheming for a way to finally have a way to take over the rest of the world, and now, finally, the pieces were falling into place.

But as tempting as that was, I also wanted something else.

I wanted to taste her.

I wanted to see what kind of power flowed through her veins, what secrets her body could tell.

The thought was both tantalizing and forbidden, but the more I thought about it, the more alluring the idea became.

What were a few more days in the grand scheme of things?

I shook my head. I didn't care what the seer had said. She was wrong. I would keep a level head and I would do what I needed to do when the time came and that was that.

Like I said, I would slit her pretty little throat myself.

First things first, though. I had to return home to Helheim, and I was going to bring her with me so she couldn't escape. Once in my realm, she wouldn't be able to return home.

She'd be mine.

My Dragonborne mate, whatever that meant…

And my sacrifice.

The final key to ultimate power.

Summoning the dark magic of my realm, I felt it coil around us like a living entity. The air crackled with energy, and the ground beneath us trembled. This use of power would not go unnoticed, especially by the Sun King, but it was a risk I had to take. I called on my magic, and a portal of swirling shadows opened before us.

Her gasp was audible as she saw the portal. She tried to pull away, but my grip was ironclad.

"No! Let me go!" she cried, her voice tinged with panicked desperation.

I couldn't wait to hear what she sounded like when she screamed my name.

Was that too much? Fuck it. I was the Dark King. I would take what I wanted from her, and she'd take all of it and more whether she wanted it or not.

My cock hardened. I was looking forward to it.

Ignoring her pleas, I stepped into the portal, the shadows engulfing us both. The light of Sungard vanished, replaced by the cold, oppressive darkness of Helheim. The transition was just as jarring as it was every time and when the falling sensation of going through the portal finally abated, I felt a twisted sense of relief to be back where I reigned supreme.

I set her down in the center of my throne room. She stumbled, trying to regain her balance, her eyes wide with terror and defiance, but she lifted her chin and held her ground.

Admirable, but foolish.

"Welcome to Helheim," I said, my words echoing through the vast chamber. "Your new home."

She looked around, her expression a mix of awe and horror. I watched her swallow hard, fisting her hands at her sides as she pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin, trying to stay brave in the face of abject danger.

"What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice trembling but determined.

I regarded her with curiosity. She was stronger than I had anticipated, and that made me want to know more about her. On the surface, I could tell that she was too skinny. Her clothes were well-worn and dirty. Her skin was covered with grime. She had been living on the streets; that much was for certain.

"You are touched by dragon magic," I said slowly, as if explaining to a child. "Your power will fuel my ascension and now that you're here with me, it is certain. I will be king of all five realms."

I did not tell her that it would require her death for the prophecy to come to pass. She was human after all. Knowing that her death was coming would only cause her to panic. I'd seen it in the past time and time again.

I wouldn't make that mistake again.

Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step back.

"You're insane. I'm nothing but a normal human. I have no power," she countered.

I laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You have no choice, little thief. You're in my world now and I will decide what to do with you. You'll help me in the end. I know this."

She clenched her fists, her defiance a flickering flame in the dark. "I won't help you. I don't care what you do to me."

I moved closer, towering over her, my presence a dark shadow that seemed to swallow the light.

"You will help me," I said, my voice low and menacing. "Whether you want to or not." I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her close, the scent of her hair and her skin intoxicating. I leaned in, breathing her in, the faint scent of vanilla and oranges swirling around me.

Her heartbeat was like thunder, loud and wild. She smelled sweet, her natural perfume making my blood boil and my cock ache. I breathed in deep, her aroma setting my soul on fire.

"I won't give you what you want," she whispered, resistance written all over her face.

My lips brushed her ear as I whispered, "You will. I won't break you, but you'll bend for me. You'll give me your full surrender."

The moment those words slipped from my mouth, her back arched and her arm swung back. My grip on her loosened and the sound of her slap across my face resonated throughout the throne room.

"Fuck you," she snarled.

That was enough.

With a low, threatening growl, I shoved her away. She stumbled and fell, landing hard on her ass. I stared down at her, a cruel smile twisting my lips.

"You will learn respect, little thief, or I will be forced to punish you."

She glared up at me, her golden eyes burning with anger and defiance.

"You can't keep me here," she spat.

"You don't know who I am, do you?" I said, cocking my head, my grin splitting my face in two.

"I know you're a monster," she proclaimed, and I chuckled, the sound low and dangerous and everything that made me who I was.

"I'm more than a monster, little thief. I'm the Dark King," I explained gently, my grin growing bigger by the second. Her eyes widened, the truth finally sinking in.

The Dark King.

The most feared ruler in all the land.

The man who had slaughtered hundreds in his quest for power.

The man who was rumored to have sacrificed innocent souls for his own selfish gains.

I knew what they said about me. I knew the rumors, what was true and what was false, and I did nothing to deny those claims. They simply helped me in the end.

Ruling with fear was a far more powerful tool than ruling with kindness. I'd learned that again and again over the years.

I was king for a reason.

"Now," I continued, my tone becoming much harsher and unforgiving. "You will respect your king or suffer the consequences, but I can assure you, I will enjoy you either way."

"You're not my king," she replied through gritted teeth.

I smirked.

This was going to be fun.