The Savage King by Michelle M. Pillow Read Free Book Online

stopped. Unbidden, his eyes turned behind him, looking back toward his home. He swallowed. No matter how he tried to deny it, he wanted the frustrating wench. Ulyssa. Sacred Cats! She was beautiful, fiery, bold. Her very smell stirred his blood, making him want to pounce and ravage. Only once did she show her fear of him, though he'd detected it at other times--a faint smell, one that was suppressed and well hidden.
    He couldn't blame her for fearing his panther form. He'd done everything he could to frighten her. But, when he saw her brave façade crumble and her body tremble in the most feminine way, he couldn't continue. He wanted, no needed, to give her comfort. The realization made him pause. Her nearness quickened him and stirred his blood. If he was honest with himself, his body needed her, desired her more than he had any other in a very long time.
    Needed? He needed no one. He couldn't. He was the future King. Had not his father said that all Kings must stand alone, beholden to none?
    "To be ruled by a woman is to be ruled by weakness." He could hear his father's gruff voice clearly, as Attor's words renewed themselves in his head.
    "I don't need her. I need release," he growled low under his breath, moving to stalk the hallways once more. "She's but a stranger. She's not special. Any woman will do, so long as her thighs spread and her body is soft. I don't need anybody."
    Kirill turned, glancing once more over his shoulder.
    "I don't need anyone."
    * * * *
    Ulyssa was again lost in the maze-like hallways of the palace. It was strange, but out of an hour of wandering, she'd only come across one guard and he'd been easy to avoid. She shook her head. Security in the palace did seem to be lacking, that was for sure. If she were in charge ... wait. What was she thinking? She wanted nothing to do with this heathenish place.
    She frowned, looking down the endless halls with a sense of boredom, trying to remember if she'd seen a particular pattern before in the wall. The mosaic tiles started to look alike and she developed a migraine from concentrating on them, as she tried to memorize their unique designs. It did no good. She was most definitely lost--not that she'd been found in the beginning.
    Ulyssa's thoughts turned to the future King of the Var. She should have known he was royalty. His very barbaric, powerful nature radiated off his graceful form. He was regal and strong. There was a keen intelligence to his gaze, a sturdy caution, a quiet thoughtfulness. Ulyssa was trained in how to read people. Shifters were no different than humans, once you studied their habits. Everything she needed to know about her enemies was in their actions and expressions.
    The fact that he'd not shown anger at her words against his father spoke volumes. This was a man who would bide his time, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike. A hot-blooded man would've had her killed for such slander, or at least would've beaten her within a centimeter of her life. Not Prince Kirill. He was cool, calm. He was a force to be wary of and he was definitely the perfect man to lead the primitive Var nation. She was glad she wasn't going to be around long enough to see his rule.
    Ulyssa stopped paying attention to where she was going, as a small smile came to her face. Prince Kirill was definitely one of the most handsome creatures she'd seen in a long time, and she had seen many. Her body heated and melted just thinking about the way he moved. Her arms ached to touch him. She'd just bet he was graceful in bed. Such a pity she wasn't going to find out.
    Almost as badly as she wanted to test his skill as a lover, she wanted to test his skill as a fighter. With those animal reflexes, she just bet he'd be a worthy combatant, even without shifting. Oh, and his weapons! She'd nearly swooned in excitement to see them. Her fingers still itched, wanting to draw down the many swords from the weapons cabinet. She knew a few defensive moves with a blade,