Monster's Bride by R.K. Pierce

Author:R.K. Pierce [Pierce, R.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-18T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Irissa

We’re almost finished standing for the portrait when Lizette finally returns to the throne room, Oryx in tow. They stand just behind Eyal, staring over his shoulder as he adds the finishing touches, trading remarks I can’t hear. I wish I knew what they were saying. Are they complimenting the work, impressed by its likeness? Joking about how terrible he’s made us look?

“Finished,” Eyal says, dropping his paintbrush with finality. He steps back to look at his work and I’m overcome with a huge swell of relief.

I try to relax, but my body is stiff from holding still for so long. I slowly begin to stretch my muscles out, starting with my legs, then reaching my arms up high over my head. I probably look silly, wiggling life back into my limbs, but I don’t care. I’m so relieved, I could cry.

“Don’t worry,” Nor whispers, placing both hands on my hips and jerking me into him. A tiny squeak escapes my lips and my stomach twists at his touch. “I’ll help you stretch out that tightness momentarily.”

Oh gods. My face burns hot, like I didn’t just spend the last hour caressing Nor’s hard member through his pants. Is he really going to follow through like he says, or is he making empty promises?

“We’ll see,” I tease and slip out of his grip, heading for the painting.

Before he drags me back to his room, I’m curious to see what our portrait looks like. I didn’t suffer through most of the morning to skip the results, no matter how ready I am to disappear from the hall. Stepping around the canvas, I pause at Eyal’s side to take it all in, and I’m stunned.

Now that I’m up close and personal, the canvas is even bigger than I thought, and I’m impressed that he was even able to reach the topmost parts. There we are, dripping in navy and silver elegance, but there’s something different about us. My gaze settles on my face, studying and picking apart the features that resemble mine, but they’re slightly off.

The girl in the painting looks older and wiser than me. She looks like she truly belongs there, immortalized for future generations. Strength radiates from her posture; she looks like she could command an army if the task fell to her.

I don’t know who Eyal was looking at while he was painting, but it definitely wasn’t me. That girl looks like a queen.

I’m finally able to drag my gaze away from my imposter, and I look up at Nor’s impressive form. He’s regal and powerful, a true king in the making, but there’s a softness there that other artworks around the castle lack. He doesn’t look bloodthirsty or cruel like his predecessors. He looks stern, but compassionate, the way a good king should.

While I feel he missed the mark on me, Eyal nailed Nor’s persona perfectly.

“Irissa, you look incredible,” Lizette squeals, and grabs my arm. I hadn’t realized she was so close.

“Thanks,” I say numbly, keeping my disappointed thoughts to myself.

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