The air in the penthouse suite smelled like sex, stale expensive scotch, and fear.
Prince Kael Blackwood stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, ignoring the boy sobbing on the edge of the king-sized bed.
Kael was a masterpiece of genetic unfairness. At 6'3", he loomed over the room, a tower of solid, corded muscle. He was shirtless, sweat glistening on his six-pack, sliding down the V-line into his low-slung black trousers.
Dark, intricate ink—tribal and jagged—crawled up his left arm and across his chest, emphasizing the hardness of his pecs. He ran a hand through his damp, black hair, his pitch-black eyes staring at his own reflection with a look of absolute boredom.
"Get out," Kael said. His voice was a low rumble, devoid of emotion.
The boy on the bed—some model, maybe an actor, Kael couldn't remember his name—flinched. He was clutching a sheet to his chest, trembling. "But... Your Highness, you hurt me. You said—"
"I said get out before I have security throw you off the balcony," Kael interrupted, turning to look at him. His eyes were dead. "You're boring. You cry too much. It kills the mood."
The boy scrambled, grabbing his clothes and running out the door like the devil himself was snapping at his heels.
Kael didn't even watch him leave. He just lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around his sharp jawline. He was an apex predator who had eaten his fill and was now annoyed by the leftovers.
A shadow moved from the corner of the room. Lin.
Lin was beautiful in a fragile, porcelain way, but his eyes were filled with a pathetic, clingy desperation that usually irritated Kael. Lin had been watching. He always watched. He was the only one who stayed, mostly because he had zero self-respect.
"Another one gone," Lin said softly, his voice dripping with jealousy. He walked over, his eyes tracing the scratches on Kael's back.
"They never last. They're too weak for you, Kael. They don't know how to take it."
Kael blew smoke into Lin's face. "And you do?"
"I know what you are," Lin whispered, stepping closer, resting a hand on Kael's bicep. "I know you need to break things. I let you break me."
Kael smirked, but it wasn't a happy smile. It was cruel. He grabbed Lin's chin, digging his fingers in hard enough to bruise. "You stay because you have nowhere else to go, Lin. Don't confuse your desperation with loyalty."
He shoved Lin away and walked to the wet bar to pour a drink.
"I heard the news," Lin said, his voice tightening. The jealousy was back, sharp and ugly. "The King... he accepted the contract. You're getting married."
Kael took a sip of whiskey, unfazed. "So?"
"So?" Lin's voice pitched higher. "You're marrying some random boy! Some nobody! I've been here for years, Kael. I've taken everything you've dished out. And you're bringing a stranger into the Black Wing?"
Kael laughed. It was a dark, dry sound.
"Relax. It's business. The old man wants political stability, and the boy's family has the connections I need to secure the southern borders. It's a transaction. I'm buying a title, not a husband."
"Have you seen him?" Lin asked, biting his lip. "Is he... is he better than me?"
"I haven't seen him, and I don't give a fuck what he looks like," Kael said, leaning back against the counter, the muscles in his torso flexing. "He's a signature on a piece of paper,. Once the wedding is done, I'll lock him in a tower somewhere and forget he exists. He's just another asset."
Kael finished the drink in one gulp, his eyes flashing with that manic glint of ambition.
"Power. That's the only thing that gets me hard anymore. And this marriage? It gives me all the power."
He looked down at Lin, who was kneeling now, looking up at him like a devoted dog.
"Stop looking so pathetic," Kael sneered, though he didn't tell him to leave. "If he's annoying, I'll just break him like the rest of them. Now, make yourself useful or get out."
The elevator doors slid open, and Zayne strutted into the penthouse like he owned the building. He was wearing a suit that cost more than a small country's GDP, his blonde hair perfectly styled, and a predatory grin plastered on his face.
He didn't go for the whiskey first. He went straight for Lin.
Lin was lounging on the velvet sofa, examining his nails, acting like the Queen of Sheba despite the fresh, purple bruises blooming on his neck.
"Well, fuck me," Zayne whistled, stopping right in front of him. He reached out, his hand sliding boldly down Lin's thigh, squeezing hard. "You're looking extra slutty today, Lin. Kael really did a number on you last night, huh? You look wrecked. I like it."
Lin slapped Zayne's hand away, sneering. He wasn't cowering; he was annoyed. He stood up, smoothing his silk shirt, popping his hip with arrogant entitlement.
"Get your hands off the merchandise," Lin snapped. He turned his head, looking over at Kael, who was busy ignoring them both at the window. "Kael! Tell your pervert friend to stop groping me. It's disgusting."
Kael didn't even turn around. He took a drag of his cigarette, staring out at the city skyline.
"If you don't like it, leave, Lin. The door is right there."
Lin's face fell for a second, a flash of hurt, but he masked it quickly with a pout. He wanted Kael to be jealous. He wanted Kael to claim him. But Kael just didn't give a fuck.
"See?" Zayne laughed, grabbing a handful of Lin's ass before walking past him to the bar.
"He doesn't care who plays with his toys, as long as they get put back in the box when he's done."
"I am not a toy," Lin hissed, following Kael like a shadow, trying to insert himself into Kael's line of sight. "I'm the only one who can handle him."
"Sure, sure," Zayne poured two drinks, sliding one across the heavy oak desk toward Kael. "Speaking of handling things... tell me the rumors are bullshit. You? Kael Blackwood? The Crown Prince of Sadism? Getting married?"
Kael finally turned, picking up the glass. "It's not a rumor."
Zayne choked on a laugh. "Holy shit. You're actually going through with it? Tying the knot? That's fucking hilarious. Who's the lucky victim?"
"Some nobody named Jay," Kael said, his voice flat. "The King set it up."
"I heard Liam was gunning for that boy,"
Zayne said, hopping onto the edge of the desk. "Word is, Liam was ready to play the 'Perfect Prince' role, woo the kid, and use his family's influence to usurp you."
Kael's eyes went cold. "Liam is a greedy little rat. He's just a power-hungry shit, he's just worse at hiding it. He thought he could snatch the Southern alliance by marrying the kid"
Kael took a sip, a cruel smirk twisting his lips.
"So I snatched the deal. I walked into the King's office and took what was Liam's just to see the look on his face. You should have seen him. He looked like he wanted to murder me right there in the throne room."
"Savage," Zayne grinned. "I love it. But seriously, a husband? In the Black Wing? What are you gonna do with him? He's gonna see your playroom and have a heart attack."
"Let him," Kael shrugged. "I don't care if he lives or dies, as long as the marriage certificate is signed. He's a political prop. If he's annoying, I'll lock him in the basement."
Lin cut in, draping himself over Kael's arm, desperate for attention. "He's probably ugly anyway. I bet he's fat. Or boring. He won't last a night, Kael. You'll kill him."
Kael looked down at Lin, his expression unreadable. "Maybe. Maybe I'll break him just to see what color he bleeds."
Zayne swirled his drink, eyes glinting with dirty ideas. "Well, if you get bored of playing house... or if the kid turns out to be cute... send him my way. You know I've got a thing for breaking in fresh meat. A husband is a handy thing to share, right?"
Kael let out a low, dark chuckle. He didn't defend his future husband's honor. He didn't care.
"If he survives me," Kael said, blowing smoke into Lin's jealous face, "you can have whatever's left of him, Zayne. I'm only interested in the power he brings. The boy himself? He's just collateral damage."