The Hated (Sleeping With Monsters Book 3) by Cassie Alexander Page A

Queen.”
    I snorted. “After twenty-thousand years, I don’t think he’ll be sleeping for a very long time.”
    Some Queen I’d become, maddening my King and losing him in the palace. I touched the spot on my neck where he had bitten me – wild with anger, surely. It was healing – the few times I had ever been injured, those injuries never lasted long – but the wound to my pride remained.
    Beza was closing the fastens on a fresh new dress, when Joshan came in. “The King has returned.”
    “He has?” Perhaps he had found his patience displayed in a case in an unexplored hallway.
    Joshan nodded. “Yes, my Queen. And he states he is hungry.”
    I watched my lips twist to one side in the mirror, as Beza tugged my wet hair up and set it with jeweled combs. “Hopefully he doesn’t want to eat me, again. Set us a table – and I will join him shortly.”
    I walked into the dining room with Beza by my side. We only used it for ceremonies, the rare times when the council came and ate with me inside the palace, but it felt right to use it now with him.
    “My King,” I said and bowed.
    His eyes flickered over me and there was something in his face like surprise. “Impostor,” he acknowledged me. I stood quietly, chin up.
    “Are you going to bite me again?”
    One eyebrow arched and the corner of his lips pulled up into a sneer, showing the sharp tip of one fang. “No.”
    “Good,” I said, and took my seat right by his side.
    Joshan brought out the first course and I noticed Zaan watching to make sure I ate things first.
    “Nothing is poisoned.”
    His eyes narrowed. “How would a caged creature like you know of poisons?”
    “I’ve read stories,” I said, thanking Yzin for every screen he’d ever brought me.
    Zaan grunted. “I shouldn’t be worried about dying anyhow. Clearly I’m already in Draugulos.” He looked at me for a response and when I gave none, he continued. “A place of eternal torment for Zaibann who have lost their way.”
    I nodded. I’d never heard of it before – but I’d known what it was when he’d said it. My magic was still at my side. “There is nothing that can torment you here. The Feather Palace is designed only for pleasure.”
    He looked at me with great sorrow in his eyes. “Do you know what would please me?”
    I shook my head and held my breath in foolish hope.
    “The return of my past, my people, and twenty-thousand years.”
    “I am sorry.” I stared into my soup. “Does that mean you believe me now?”
    He ignored my question. “I want to see the book.”
    I looked over to Joshan, waiting in the doorway. “Please, Joshan, retrieve it.”
    Beza brought our next course out and we ate in silence until Joshan’s return. He handed the book over and I passed it to Zaan. He took it from me without question and began to read.
    “Rkatrayzin. I would recognize his handwriting anywhere. The historian, eh? More like the man who was merely there.”
    He started reading faster, skipping pages, until he got to the end and our dinner was cold. “There are no answers here,” he said, throwing it across the table.
    “I never said there were.”
    He shook his head again, as though he could negate the ages. “I cannot believe that so much time has passed – not until I see it for myself. Take me outside, immediately.”
    “It…is not allowed.”
    The look he gave me then – I wished that I had sat across the table from him, or in another room entirely. “What kind of Queen hides inside her palace?” he asked me.
    “The lives of all Aranda depend on me,” I said – the same answer Railan had always given me. I wonder if it tasted as bitter on his tongue as it did mine.
    “Airelle would never let herself be caged.”
    “She let you be caged, didn’t she?” I said. Zaan’s face flushed and I instantly regretted it. “I’m sorry –“
    His hand lunged over and grabbed my wrist tight. Joshan started toward us but I shook my head. “Show me your powers,