Shadows Of Desire

Rowan would have liked to have thought that his father would never do something so cruel to him but, who was he kidding, this was King Desmond he was talking about, of course he’d do something this cruel. This was just the kind of cruel, heartless, thing he would do to his son. The old bastard was probably enjoying every second of anguish he’d caused in his son.

Rowan was fuming when he’d left the King’s solar. Fuming and hurt. After all these years it shouldn’t hurt this much but, this was his father, didn’t the man have any love for his son? Even the slightest shred of love? No. Of course not. Desmond hated Rowan and Rowan knew that. Still, as pathetic as it is was, Rowan had always hoped he’d been wrong. With the King’s latest order though, that Rowan was to wed Lord Killian Thorn, all hope Rowan once had was now gone.

Don’t cry. He willed himself. Don’t give the old man that satisfaction of knowing he hurt you.

Rowan was done. Done with all of it. Done with his father, done with the palace, done with this life. He knew he had but two options left. Marry Lord Killian and move to Grayholm or leave Basmorte for good. Again came the thought of running away to Night Port, boarding a ship and sailing away to places unknown. But, could he actually do that? Rowan had no idea what lay beyond the shores of Basmorte. He’d never been outside the Kingdom and he knew little of the species that lived beyond.

He sighed as he reached his apartments. The familiar rooms no longer seemed safe to him. No where was safe. There was no where to hide. He closed the door and leaned against it trembling, finally letting the tears falls as he slid down the door and slumped to the floor. Pulling his knees to his chest he wrapped his arms around himself and cried. He cried like he’d never cried before and it seemed like he was never going to be able to stop.

***

Lord Killian was standing by the doors to the gardens when Rowan arrived. The smile on the man’s face made Rowan’s skin crawl. He couldn’t believe he’d actually agreed to this but then again, what choice did he really have?

“My Dear, you look as lovely as always.” Lord Killian said as he offered his arm to Rowan.

Rowan stared at the arm as though it were a viper ready to strike. Reluctantly, he took the offered arm and forced a wan smile. “T-thank you.” He muttered.

“Shall we?” Lord Killian pulled Rowan closer against him as they both turned towards the door. “I thought a moonlit walk through the palace gardens would afford us time to get to know one another.”

“I think I know enough about you, My Lord.” Rowan narrowed his eyes. “Enough to know that a marriage to you would be a mistake.”

Lord Killian laughed as he led Rowan outside and into the gardens. “I fear you have me at a disadvantage then.” He said. “For I know very little about you.”

“There’s not much to know I’m afraid, My Lord. I’m very boring.”

“Oh, I doubt that.” Lord Killian said, looking him over. Rowan shivered at the way the mans eyes drifted slowly over his body, taking him in, and lingering a bit too long on the lower regions. “I suspect there’s a wild side to you that I am very looking forward to taming.”

Rowan stopped walking and turned to look at the man beside him. He narrowed his eyes as he stared at him coldly. “Then, My Lord, you are going to be very disappointed. I’ve spent much of my life living in this palace, sheltered from the outside world. What I know of the world I’ve read in books which, I’m afraid, has been very limited as my father has only allowed me the most basic of education. He believes it’s a waste of time to educate an omega beyond the ability to read, write, and do simple math.”

“Well, my young Prince,” Lord Killian stepped closer to Rowan, brushing his lips against his ear as he spoke in a soft whisper. “The education you will get from me will be far different than anything you’ve read in your books, and way more...intimate.”

Rowan instantly pulled back, his body tensing. “Please, My Lord, you are not yet my husband. Speaking such things to me is...inappropriate.”

Lord Killian laughed heartily at that. “What an innocent you are.” He spoke lasciviously. “I can hardly wait to have you writhing beneath me, naked, and begging me to fill you.”

Rowan ripped his arm from Killian’s grasp and glared at him hard. “I believe our walk is over. I will not stand here and listen to such foul language from someone I barely know. Good-night, Lord Killian.”

Rowan turned, intent on leaving when Lord Killian suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He wrapped his arms around Rowan’s waist and drew him close, crushing their bodies together. Killian leaned his head forward and brushed his lips over Rowan’s exposed neck. His lips parted and Rowan could feel his fangs grazing his flesh. Rowan fought against him but Killian was stronger than him.

“Listen to me.” Killian whispered in his ear. “You are mine to do with as I please. Our mating may not be official yet but your father has already given you to me, mind, body, and soul. I could take you here and now if I so chose and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it. No one will come to your aide. Even if you scream, no one will come. You are completely at my mercy.” He tightened his grip on Rowan’s arm and Rowan yelped in pain, tears filling his eyes.

Killian grinned, maliciously. “Good.” He breathed hot breath against Rowan’s neck. “I like the sounds you make. I want to hear more. I want to hear you scream and beg and cry. Your whimpering turns me on.” Killian took Rowan’s hand and moved it down, placing it over his hardening bulge. “Do you feel that?” He hissed into his ear. “Do you feel how hard you make me? Do you think you could stop me from bending you over right now and shoving my cock into that hot, tight, little ass of yours?”

“Take your filthy fucking hands off of me this instant!” Rowan sneered, pushing his hand against Killian’s chest with all his might. “I care not what my father has promised you. I’ve agreed to nothing.”

“You have no say in the matter, my little Prince.”

“Oh don’t I?” Killian took a hesitant step back, looking down as he felt a slight sting in his belly. Rowan had reached into the waist band of his breeches and pulled out a small, silver, dagger and had it poking into Killian’s gut. “Touch me again, My Lord, and I will kill you.”

Killian laughed sadistically. “Have you ever take a life before, little Prince?”

“No.” Rowan admitted. “You will be my first and believe me, I have no reservations about stabbing someone in self-defense.”

He pushed the blade of the dagger in a bit more. Not enough to draw blood but just enough to let Killian know that he was serious. The smile on Killian’s lips faded and his eyes became cold and hard. There was a darkness in those eyes that made Rowan shiver internally though he refused to show any weakness to this man and so stood his ground.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, My Lord, I believe I will take my leave of you. Do not follow me and do not think to enter my bed chambers tonight. I keep my door locked.”

Lord Killian grinned. “As if any lock could stop me, child.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow, “Perhaps not, but the wards on my door surly will.” With that, he turned on his heels and ran, leaving Killian standing alone in the garden.

“Soon.” Killian whispered into the darkness. “We’ll meet again soon, little Prince.”