From #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes the next installment in her Wicked series.

As Caden and Brighton’s attraction grows despite the odds stacked against a happily ever after, they must work together to stop an Ancient fae from releasing the Queen, who wants nothing more than to see Caden become the evil Prince once feared by fae and mortals alike.

Series:

Wicked Series

Book Type:

Paranormal Romance

Excerpt: The King

The King and I needed to have a little chat.

I stalked down the hall of the tenth floor, growing more furious than I even knew was possible. Stopping at his door, I banged my fist on it like I was the police.

Only a few seconds passed before I heard the click of the lock and the handle turning.   The moment the door opened, I didn’t even give him a chance to shut me out. I barged right in, shouldering past the King as I clutched the strap of my purse.

“Well, come on in,” he stated dryly. “And help yourself.”

“Plan on it.” My gaze roamed over the exposed brick walls and rather bare space. Like the last time I was here, there was only the large sectional couch and the TV. It still didn’t look lived in. “Hope you don’t have company.” I spun, facing him. “If you do, I don’t…”

I trailed off, thinking that I probably should’ve looked at him before I forced my way inside. He wasn’t exactly shirtless, but that white shirt of his was completely unbuttoned, giving me an eyeful of his toned chest and a tight, ripped lower stomach.

God, he had the kind of body that wasn’t even human.

Probably because he wasn’t human.

The King arched a brow. “Do you see something you like, sunshine?”

Cheeks heating, I snapped out of my stupor before I started drooling. “Did you forget how to button a shirt?”

A faint grin appeared. “Actually, I was going to change it. However, I was interrupted by someone banging on my door like a madwoman.”

“Oh, I am definitely a madwoman.” I glared up at him. “How could you do that?”

“Do what?” he asked, leaning against the wall.

“Don’t pretend like you have no idea why I’m here.”

“Is it because I outed you?” He crossed his arms, which made his pecs do amazing, interesting—stop it! “For your own safety.”

Dumbfounded, I was momentarily speechless. “My own safety?”

“There seems to be an echo in here.”

“There’s about to be an ass-kicking in here,” I shot back, hands balling into fists. “I don’t need you looking out for my safety.”

He tilted his head, the grin increasing. “You need someone. Anyone. But a person who is responsible.”

“Oh my God.” I took a breath. “Do you think this is amusing?”

“How mad would you be if I said yes?”

My nostrils flared.

“Very mad, I see. I can’t help it.” A full smile appeared. “You’re…adorable when you’re mad.”

“Adorable?” I stomped my foot.

“See. Just there. It’s cute.”

“I am going to physically harm you.”

“Versus mentally?” he queried.

The fact that he was teasing me, that he wasn’t taking this seriously at all, infuriated me even more. “You had no right to do what you did.” I took a step toward him. “Do you know I spent the last hour or so listening to Ivy and Ren and Faye talk to me as if I’ve never held an iron dagger before? Do you know that if this gets back to Miles, I could be removed from the Order?”

His gaze sharpened. “Ivy nor Ren would inform on you.”

He was right. Ivy would never do that. At least, I hoped not. “That doesn’t mean someone like Tanner or Kalen or Faye won’t say something to someone that eventually gets back to Miles,” I pointed out. “What you did was wrong.”

The King pushed off the wall, unfolding his arms. The shirt parted, attempting to distract me. “You left me no choice. You would not stop. I thought maybe they could talk some sense into you.”

“Guess what? They didn’t.” I smirked when his jaw tightened. “And I’m going to repeat this for, hopefully, the last time. You do not get to tell me what I can and cannot do.   Even if you and I were a thing, which we’re not, you still would not get to tell me what to do. I don’t know who you think you are—”

“The King?” he suggested.

“—but you have no say over what I do. Stay out of my way and out of my life,” I told him. “I mean it. There is no reason for you to interfere.”

The King looked away, a muscle thrumming in his temple.

Having said my piece, I started toward the door.

“Has it ever occurred to you that I am trying to protect you? That I’m trying to keep you safe?”