King of the Unsightly (Tempting Trickery #1)

Palpitations

T he rock slipped through my fingers. “Oh, shit.” It nailed Kaschel in the chest. We both gasped simultaneously but for extremely different reasons. He groaned and turned to his side, and I panicked as I crouched down beside him. “I’m so sorry. Let me help—”

Kaschel tossed a hand up and staggered to his feet as the rock thudded loudly on the ground, creating a small dust cloud around it. He wobbled for a few steps before he straightened his stance.

I stood up and eyed him cautiously.

His hair was in disarray, and his lowered gaze made him look gruff and dangerous in a hot kind of—I slapped my cheeks. Girl, it was not the time to be drooling over someone who just got mauled.

Why did my mind think now was a sensible time to head straight for the gutter? He almost died! What was wrong with me? Was I really depraved or what?

Kaschel cleared his throat, and my attention went back to him. “You’ve done plenty, but I could have done without the boulder to the chest. If you had any animosity toward me ... you could have waited until I was more conscious.”

I grimaced at how banged up he appeared. His clothes were tattered and stained crimson. His bare chest was exposed, and the evident slash marks on his shirt hung on by the sheer willpower of two very thin strands of fabric.

“I swear it wasn’t—I mean ... let me help you walk,” I said in a hushed tone like if I spoke any louder he would crumble to the ground.

Kaschel pursed his lips. “Pity is the last thing I want or need from you. Now move. We need to get out of here and try to get out of this loop.”

I was baffled by how collected Kaschel behaved despite what happened.

I panicked and pointed to Kaschel’s chest as blood squirted out of his open wounds. “How could you be fine when you’re gushing blood?!”

Kaschel sighed and flicked my forehead. “This place can nullify magic, but it can’t take away what I am. Have you forgotten?” he asked, enunciating the word forgotten a little more aggressively than I would have liked.

I mean, I saved him. A little gratitude wouldn’t kill him. “Whatever. Just know that if you pass out on me ... I’m leaving your ass behind.”

Kaschel's deep chuckle tickled my ears as he wiped his bloody hands on his pants. “Shall it go both ways then?”

“Of course,” I bluffed, and Kaschel’s face told me he saw right through me.

Kaschel’s lips twitched into a half-smirk, and he chuckled again. It was low and throaty and tantalized every crevice of my body.

Wait, what? No . I sucked in a breath and Kaschel perked up an eyebrow playfully—like he heard every indecent thought crossing my mind.

My cheeks burned red, and I looked away.

“All right then. Both ways it is,” Kaschel teased, still grinning as his lively eyes didn’t falter like mine.

How did Kaschel have so much energy? He acted entirely too energetic for a man gushing blood.

I wobbled as the dirt rumbled beneath us and the forest shifted. Our world crashed down, tore apart, and came back together.

The shades of dead branches laced and weaved together, stitching new life, and we, the outsiders, watched it all unfold.

Everything transformed in the blink of an eye—like some sick individual threw us into a video game, advancing us to the next level.

We weren’t on a mountain or in a shivered-up forest. We were in some humid jungle teeming with life. Freshly fallen rain and soil caressed my nostrils as the birds chirping softened against the abrasive creatures screeching.

“Blood is guiding us. I guess we have more to look forward to,” Kaschel said, snapping me out of my daze.

“Kill or be killed. Cool.”

So whoever made this labyrinth was a sadist. Noted.

Kaschel scanned our surroundings and fixed his stare back on me. “It’s not that simple and we need to find a place to rest. I need time to heal.”

“Where could we possibly rest in a place like this?”

“Not sure.”

“Great,” I quipped.

Kaschel stepped through the shrubs and eluded all the liana vines crawling from each tree while I tried not to trip over the roots sprouting from the ground.

Sweat dripped from my neck as the blazing sun dipped down allowing the moon to ascend as we stumbled upon a grove with a remote waterfall. It seemed entirely too good to be true as the moonlight reflected off the stagnant water.

Yet the stillness in the air couldn’t stifle the tremors of my pulse.

Kaschel bent down and his shoulder blades flexed and moved as he rinsed his hands, sending a catalyst of ringlets onto the water.

Kaschel placed his hand on his zipper and peeled his pants off.

I swallowed, hard, wiping my clammy hands on my jeans. “What are you doing?”

Kaschel didn’t spare me a glance as he stood there exposed; his tight backside blinded me.

“What? Have you never seen the male physique before?” Kaschel remained serious as he dipped himself in, scrubbing the dirt and grime off his clothes. He titled his chin and looked back at me, his sharp eyes devouring mine. “If there’s another monster tracking us, we need to get the blood off.” It was a calculated thought, logical even, but I still didn’t want to strip down to nothing. “I have no urge to look in your direction if that’s what you’re thinking,” Kaschel clipped, not caring to elaborate.

I wanted to be offended, but the dry, crusted blood in my hair and clothes stiffened up and scratched against my skin.

I peeked at Kaschel who rinsed the remaining blood off his chest wounds, and I saw they already started to stitch back together.

I sighed. He was right. I leaned down, took my boots off and then my clothes, dipping myself in the water.

The abrupt coldness stole all my warmth and gooseflesh sheathed my body.

A shaky breath escaped my mouth, and I submerged myself.

My teeth chattered uncontrollably as I popped up and rinsed the remaining blood off my clothes.

I wondered if the best way to die was from hypothermia or getting mauled by a beast. I think hypothermia wins. Shuffling out of the water, I struggled to put my wet clothes back on as they stuck to my skin like a second layer.

Kaschel rose from the water, and he resembled a god ascending his throne. His white hair matched the moon’s luminance. His ripped chest muscles and arms on display, showing no remnants of blood.

I turned my body before I allowed myself to look any lower.

If Kaschel caught me ogling him again I would never hear the end of it. It would be like screaming he won this twisted game of cat and mouse.

And I hated losing.

I shifted my body away and compelled all the indecent thoughts to disappear. “Can you see anything with that faery vision of yours? I assume you have better eyesight than me,” I teased, but it came off quick and curt.

Kaschel shook his wet, long hair, and it dripped down his back to the dimples on his—no. Damn it, Addy. Stop.

I pinched my arm and refused to falter by his lack of apparel.

“Even after a near-death experience, you still have a mouth on you. I’m amazed. Truly.” Kaschel didn’t say another word as he clothed himself and walked toward the waterfall.

“I think you were the one who almost died, not me.”

Why did I feel the need to clarify myself again? Did I subconsciously want to push his buttons?

Kaschel huffed but didn’t respond, and I followed behind him. We slid past the cascading water; it splattered against the rocky floor, and we proceeded to go deeper into the night. The farther we went, the more it reeked of moss and dew. An oddly refreshing mixture.

“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“Excuse me?” I squeaked out, unable to hide my nerves.

“You murdered a beast in cold blood. Brutally, I might add. You’ll be fine for a few moments without me.”

It was a fluke. We had no idea for certain I could attempt the same thing twice, but I let my overwhelming pride win and flicked my wrist for him to leave. “Fine. Go .”

Shrouded in darkness when his light hair left the cave, the only comfort I found was the faint splashing of water against the rocks.

I swore an eternity came and went before Kaschel returned. His vibrant presence lit up the gloomy tunnel.

“Miss me?” Kaschel dropped an assortment of logs and branches beside me.

So Kaschel went out to gather wood for a fire.

A spark ignited and it erupted into flames. The heat instantaneously blazed against my skin. It crackled and hissed, illuminating Kaschel’s sharp jawline.

I raised my hands up as the fire warmed my fingertips. “Your glamour has always been lackluster so it’s nice to see you’re at least good for something, if not for protection, then as a portable heater.” I perked up a brow in Kaschel’s direction.

Kaschel lifted his gaze from the fire, and his alluring eyes danced wildly with the flames, staring into me.

“Are you trying to bait me, little flea? I can assure you, I’m good for more than mere parlor tricks and heat.” Kaschel dipped his head to the side and smirked.

Kaschel’s toned body and bare chest glistened from the rising flames. And I wouldn’t deny myself any longer the chance to take in his exquisite build.

Checking him out wasn’t a sin . I could indulge in his beauty a little.

“I find that hard to believe considering your bad track record. I did save you after all.” Oh my god. What was I doing? We could be attacked at any moment, yet my mouth wanted to move on its own and see how far I could press him.

Kaschel suddenly crouched in front of me, and I jerked backward, making him smile more.

His face dimmed as he faced away from the flames. “Are you wishing to find out how useful I can be? Honestly, it would be a pity if you were all bark and no bite again .”

I tilted my head and laughed as Kaschel studied my features. He searched for something in my eyes, but I doubted he would find what he was looking for.

“I don’t think I’m the one who’s been all talk.” Yeah, I was unhinged, but did I care at this point in my life?

No.

Was I tempting the devil?

Absolutely.

Would I hate myself once I came to my senses?

Of course.

But ... I loved to gamble even with what little odds I had of winning, so fuck it.

If Kaschel thought he could keep toying with me ... He was dead wrong.

One kiss. One kiss and I would be over it. And my thoughts of him would cease to exist.

Before Kaschel retorted, I grabbed him by the hand and pulled him close.

He lost his footing and fell into me, his knee between my thighs and his hands at my side, dangerously near my hips.

Briefly shocked, Kaschel inclined his head, and I matched his movement, parting my lips.

And I kissed him. I mean, I fucking kissed him.

I leaned into his body, amazed at how mine curved perfectly into his. He let out an unstable moan as our tongues met, and I pressed my lips hardest against his like I’d starve without them.

Kaschel flinched, and I panicked from his hesitancy.

Rejection wasn’t something I could handle. Not right now.

I pulled away, but Kaschel squeezed his hand on my lower back and pulled me in. “Did I say you could move?” he growled and stole the distance between us, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip.

“I shouldn’t have ...” I trailed off as I put my hand to his chest, hoping to gather enough time to clear my thoughts.

But I was thawing from his firm grip—hot and embarrassed—I tried to retreat farther away before his shameless stare depleted all my worries.

I had no fucking clue what possessed me.

“Don’t,” Kaschel whispered and kissed me like he’d go feral if I left his side.

My body melted and froze, and melted again as Kaschel bit my lower lip and cupped my cheeks. My body liquefied from his touch as his hands moved slowly down my back to my hips.

I pushed on Kaschel’s chest again, breaking our contact. My voice came out breathless and uneven. “I still find you incredibly arrogant.”

Kaschel's deep chuckle sent goose bumps down my legs as his lip twitched at my words. “You think I care?” He seized my chin and lifted my face so our lips were parallel again.

He caressed my cheek before letting go and my insides burst with excitement as his hand glided down my side. His touch was soft but steady as it moved to my inner thigh. He teased me with his thumb, gently rubbing it in a circular motion.

God, I really hated his smirk too.

I hated this man, but I also wanted him back on my lips, consuming them. I was a fucking contradiction, but I didn’t care. As much as I hated him, I wanted him more, and I yearned for him to want me just as badly.

My lips were centimeters from his as I breathed in. “This doesn’t change anything.”

He laughed and it was low and vibrated against my bottom lip as his maddening touch made me ache for more.

“So this is what you’ve been doing? Fucking around with some guy?” a voice asked with such a sharp tongue it pierced through my heart.

I knew that voice, but it didn’t sound like him. It wasn’t sweet or radiating warmth and kindness.

It was cold, bitter, and full of resentment.

But it was still his voice.

I pushed myself away from Kaschel, and my soul shattered when Lucien emerged from the darkness.