King of the Unsightly (Tempting Trickery #1)

A Contradiction

M y sight drifted to the massive canopy bed with a silky white comforter and black curtains draped around it. The marble floors swirled with white and silver. A place designed for royalty, yet it felt like it was meant for cheap entertainment.

A couple of creatures dressed in short, crimson, satin garments filtered into the room as they set multiple dishes and drinks on a table in the corner. The fragrance of freshly cut fruit filled the air and delectable meats and cheeses placed on golden trays glowed in the candlelight—or maybe, the food itself glowed from the many pearly-white candelabras scattered across the room. Some magically dangled from the painted pitch-black ceiling with specks of silver.

Deep in my gut, unease screamed for me to get the hell out of this place as all creatures bowed before they left the room, leaving the front desk lady behind.

She tilted her head to the side and blinked, her slanted eyes comparable to a reptilian. “May I offer you guys anything else?”

Kaschel didn’t budge, and fear swarmed me as sweat beaded above my brows.

Why did her question feel so sinister?

My heart rate escalated as Kaschel mulled over her question like he would actually consider it.

I unclenched my hand from the cloak and walked away from him and to the couch. I plopped myself onto it and let the cool leather soothe me.

Kaschel’s face turned from composed to infuriated as he glowered at the lady. “No. Again, we won’t be staying long,” Kaschel stated coldly as he grabbed the door and shooed her out.

The front desk lady didn’t say another word and bowed and scurried out of the room as Kaschel slammed the door behind her.

He threw something in my direction and stalked over toward the table in the back. The object bounced off the side of the couch and onto the cushion.

A chocolate protein bar in a blue and yellow wrapper.

Kaschel kept his gaze fixed on the table as he talked. “Eat. It seems you can’t even handle water from my world. But he should be here soon enough.” He grabbed a plate and plucked samples from all the delicious food and snatched a chalice, pouring a deep purple liquid into it.

I looked back down at my dry protein bar and flung myself back against the couch. I sighed heavily. It was entirely unfair he could have a four-course meal while I had to savor this dried-up protein bar with nothing to drink.

Kaschel now lounged on the bed, legs crossed, enjoying his meal. My face gave away my animosity as my lips curved down in irritation. Hanger got the best of me and an intrusive thought forced its way into my mind. I hope he chokes on those grapes he seems to be enjoying so much.

“If you keep staring, I’ll start to think I captivated you with my ethereal beauty.” Kaschel wiggled his brows, and I snorted at the stupidity of it. Embarrassed, I shot my hand to my mouth and turned away from him. “Or are you staring at the food with such lust? I won’t stop you from eating, but if you do ... don’t blame me for what happens next.” He tossed another grape in his mouth.

I could have sworn his face lit up in a smug expression.

My eye twitched at Kaschel’s accusation. “Is that a threat?”

“You tell me, little flea, since I get off on kidnapping and threatening.” Kaschel taunted me as he twirled his chalice in his hand, leaning against the headboard of the bed.

His black shirt and pants molded to his body perfectly. His pecs practically burst out of it as the indents of every muscle couldn’t be hidden by mere fabric. The flickering candlelight illuminated his light features as his hair radiated like starlight.

His face was too relaxed for someone who had no control over his precious keys.

God, I craved wiping the condescending look right off his face and throwing the nearest object at him—which happened to be the protein bar. “Could you not offer me any better alternatives? You are magical, are you not?”

Kaschel chuckled. “Glamour and magic are one in the same but also entirely different.”

“All right, Gandalf, can your glamour change this crusty protein bar?”

Kaschel cocked an eyebrow, debating on whether to entertain my question. He flicked his wrist, and a black shadow cast from him shot across the room and devoured the protein bar, transforming it into a beef dip; my mouth watered instantly.

I bit down and it dried my whole mouth—its rough texture assaulting my tongue like I took a nibble out of sandpaper. My face pinched into a sour expression. I glanced down and it was the same protein bar Kaschel had thrown at me.

I shot a glare at him and Kaschel winked. The bastard actually had the audacity to wink!

Kaschel tipped his head slightly, wearing that stupid face full of vanity. “I warned you, did I not?” he asked and took a bite of bread.

I swore, I might jump over this couch and give him a piece of my mind. And if I died from this dry-ass protein bar getting stuck in my throat I’d haunt the living shit out of him to the point it broke his soul—if he even had one.

“Ah, so you’re nothing but a glorified magician. Noted,” I grumbled between bites.

A deep chuckle reverberated through the walls, and I snapped my head back to Kaschel, dying in a fit of laughter.

My face scrunched into scowl, peeved he found my anguish amusing. “How mature of you, faery man. Are you laughing at my sad excuse for a meal while you eat like a plump, arrogant king sitting on his high horse?”

“You forgot guilefully sitting on his high horse. I have schemes you are unaware of.” Kaschel perked up one eyebrow.

I crossed my arms. So Kaschel had jokes? “What a contradiction. I think you’re more ignorant than anything else.” I enunciated the word ignorant .

Kaschel shrugged. “What’s wrong with being a contradiction?” he asked as he proceeded to take a long sip from the chalice.

“You’re either one or the other. How can you be cunning and so haughty? I’m sure that awful personality of yours would get in the way of your critical thinking. I mean, people like you tend to overestimate themselves and underestimate others.”

Kaschel chuckled again in defiance. “Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Doesn’t imply I can’t be cunning. Maybe mine is my ego. I am a fae after all. I quite enjoy playing games if the mood is right.” Kaschel’s eyes carried a mischievous glimmer as they danced in the low light.

Did I want to ask what type of games he was referring to? Hell no. So I averted my gaze and choked down the dry protein bar.

A thunderous knock on the door startled me upright. My soul left and came back as my heartbeat settled back down.

“Come in.” Kaschel, unfazed by the abrupt knock, took another swig of his drink.