Chapter 12

12

DAX

A few weeks have passed since my father’s visit, and I've noticed how Eira looks at the others. She watches us with hunger in her eyes but refuses to satiate it. I even catch her looking at Kas with lust filled eyes, which makes me grin, considering how much they appear to hate each other. I’ve heard that hate sex is the best, though. When you are always surrounded by men, sex seems to be the only thing that’s talked about. Though I’m surrounded by warriors who spend most of their days fighting, and because we don’t have an abundance of women, things tend to get a little… hard.

If I said a burst of jealousy didn't spark within me when I saw her mahogany eyes raking over my men, it would be a lie. Well , the six men I’m soul bound to. Though Ash , Kas , Rev , Alair , Bene , and Mir are mine to lead and command. My brothers. Soul bound until our dying breaths because of the curse. But also because of the battles we have fought. It’s hard not to bond with a man you spend every waking moment of the day with, let alone six.

I see the way they look at her, want and hunger burning behind their eyes. Though I feel the need to claim her as mine and mine alone. But I know she is theirs as well. The only one I’ve spoken to about this is Rev , and even he seemed skeptical about the connection I swear we have with her. Soon they will realize that she belongs to us just as much as we belong to her. I am a possessive bastard, so she will only ever belong to us. No one else.

Her dark eyes are focused on me as my soldiers’ spar around us. Her eyes never leave mine as I walk between the bodies, making my way over to her. As I weave between the men, I hold her gaze. Like a game of cat and mouse, or better yet, a dangerous snake that wishes to ensnare a flightless raven.

Ash is working to correct the newer soldiers’ forms, while Kas glares from the sidelines. Alair and Bene watch the surrounding area, continuously scanning for threats as they were trained to do. Ensuring we have no soldiers who belong to my father within our ranks. Rev and Mir keep their eyes on me as I walk over to Eira , always making sure I’m not attacked by a rogue that has managed to slip through the watchful eyes of Alair and Bene .

I know what Eira thinks of me. She believes me to be a villain, a horrid prince who kills without mercy. Part of that may be true. I do kill my enemies without mercy. My father is cruel and ruthless in his rule, which in turn made me savage because it was the only way to survive. I kill because it is required of me. This is a wicked world we live in. I am far less sadistic than my father, so she should take my cruelty for what it is. Safety from those who would wish to do much worse than I .

I protect what is mine. She will learn that lesson soon. So until then, I will continue my game. A game to hunt and capture the bird. My little raven. I smirk as I notice her eyes continue to track me. “ What are you doing, Little Raven ?”

She arches a brow. “ Why do you insist on calling me that?”

I point at her hair and say, “ Your hair is as dark as a raven's wings. It even has magic that looks as if it changes color when the light shines just right. Plus , I find that you are a bird trying to spread her wings to fly.”

She rolls her eyes. “ Just because I let your friend fuck me with his fingers and you replaced his scars with your own, doesn’t mean we are friends. We are not even acquaintances. Do not give me a pet name as if we are such things. As if you enjoy my company.”

I can see she struggles with each word she forces out. She doesn’t believe what she’s saying but feels as if she should say it anyway. I laugh. “ Oh , I enjoy your company very much. I would even go as far as to say that my men also enjoy your company. I did say that you have beguiled them.”

Her eyes narrow on me. “ I have not beguiled your men. Also , I do not care what you or your men think of me.”

“ I believe that to be a lie, Little Raven .”

She lets out a frustrated screech and runs at me. Rev and Mir stand, ready to rush in my direction until I hold up a hand to stop them. I allow her to jump at me as I throw my weight backward, then let myself fall while I grin at her.

She bares her teeth at me as something sharp and cold is pressed against my throat. I assume it's the dagger she has been hiding this whole time. I knew she had it. The others wanted to take it from her, but I knew she only felt at ease in the castle because she had a weapon. Though , for her to go so far as to hold it to my neck... Well , it seems my little raven has talons. Seems she’s a bit frazzled as well if the wild look in her eyes is any indication. She feels things she doesn’t want to. She’s beginning to care, and that terrifies her.

She snarls and snaps, “ Why are you smiling when I have a blade to your throat?”

“ Do you think this is the first time someone has held a blade to my throat?” I chuckle and ask, “ Do you plan to kill me, Little Raven ?”

Her eyes narrow as she growls out, “ I have a knife to your neck, Dax . Are you not going to beg for your life?”

She’s trying really hard to grasp for her anger, but I see the hesitation behind those mahogany eyes. While holding her gaze, I retort, “ I do not beg for much in this life, let alone my life. I’ve learned a hard lesson in begging, my Little Raven , and I learned it well.” I arch a brow as I continue, “ So I will not beg. I will not beg for the lives of my people. Lives are lost every day, and that is out of my control. If my life is worth that much to you, then you may take it if you wish. I am a villain after all.”

“ Such a brave prince,” she scoffs. “ What would you beg for?”

I don’t hesitate to answer. “ I would beg for the lives of my men.”

She looks up briefly to take in the hundreds of men around us. Her eyes meet mine again as she questions in confusion, “ Your men?”

I can feel the edge of the dagger digging deeper into my skin when I swallow. “ Yes . I would beg for Asher , Kasim , Reverie , Alair , Benedict , and Branimir’s lives. I would beg until my very last breath.” And I would. I don’t think love is the word I would use for them, but we have a brotherhood and a bond I would kill for. That I would die for.

Her gaze turns curious as she asks, “ Is there anyone else you would beg for?”

Why would she ask that? An odd question after what I’ve revealed. I’m not sure if I want to say more. My eyes narrow as I reply, “ You wouldn't believe me if I said.”

She presses down on the dagger as she insists, “ Try me.”

I wince at the sharp bite of the blade against my throat, then huff out a sigh and say, “ You .”

Her eyes widen with disbelief. “ Me ?”

Keeping my expression neutral, I say, “ You should kiss your true love. I've been told that true love's kiss solves everything.” I’m not sure where that came from, but I already said it, so I may as well go with it. I don’t think for one moment she will go through with it, but it is fun to tease with her.

Her eyes turn playful, and her grip on the dagger wavers. “ And who is my true love? Or would it be loves, considering you said you would share with them? A villainous prince and his men as my true loves?”

My eyes do not waver from hers as I reply, “ Yes .” Before she has time to react, I slam my lips to hers. I have to hold back a moan at how good she tastes. I wanted to taste her so badly when I ran my knife across her skin earlier. I feel the cold steel slowly slip away from my neck, then hear the thump of the dagger hitting the earth beside us before she reaches out to run her fingers through my hair.

I groan when her grip tightens, and she pulls me closer. I can't help the tilt of my lips as I deepen the kiss. Fuck doe-eyed princes, white steeds, and happy-ever-afters. I'd kill for this woman. I would watch the kingdoms fall and laugh while they burned so long as she is by my side.

A villain is a misunderstood hero, and a hero is a glorified villain. I suppose it depends on who is telling the story. I may be the villain to many throughout this kingdom, but I'll gladly take on that role if it means the ones I care about will be safe.

I'm left panting when the kiss ends, and I look into her eyes. She looks confused and slightly horrified. My hand slips up between us, and I cup her cheek, my thumb brushing across her bottom lip. “ If you need me to be the villain in your story, I do not mind. But I need you to understand that once you are mine, that is it. I shall be a sword for you to wield upon this kingdom. I will go to war for you. I will kill all those who wish to harm you.”

“ Dax ,” she rasps.

“ My men and I are yours if you wish it.” My voice is softer than I ever expected it to be.

Her eyes widen when she realizes we are now encircled by my six brothers-in-arms. “ What is that supposed to mean?”

With my other hand, I grip her thigh and explain, “ I have watched you as often as you have watched them. I see the way you look at them with hunger and desire.” My grip tightens until she looks back at me. “ You are my Little Raven . I will only share you with them if you wish to have them. But only them. No one else.”

I move my hand from her cheek to slide it through her hair, then tightly grip the strands. I force her face to mine as I growl in warning. “ If I ever find out you were with a male other than us, you will see a true villain. Am I understood?”

She’s panting as she looks into my eyes, and I watch her pupils shrink and then blow wide. “ What would you do?”

I nip her lower lip, and she lets out hiss. I grin. “ Test me, Little Raven , and find out.”