The Dark Prince (The Dark Light Series)(50)

“And he wanted to keep you from finding it, from finding happiness,” I say, trying to piece together the scattered remains of Dorian and his father’s strained relationship. Every child wants love and acceptance from their parents, even when the parents are degenerate villains. There has to be another reason. The Dark King must’ve personally hurt his son in some awful way. A pang of sorrow strikes my chest and I stifle a pained gasp.

“Yes.” I feel Dorian’s body become rigid with apprehension but before I can excuse him from his painful account, he takes a deep breath and continues. “I was very young, not even a century old. I wanted the world. Ambitious, strong, stubborn. Aurora was in my life then. We had plans for the future, and I really thought she was what I wanted.”

Oh. Aurora. The stunning, seductive sex goddess. The fancy slore in expensive shoes. His first love.

Her intrusion into our intimate conversation makes my throat tighten and I fight the urge to groan my disdain. I know they had a very colorful sex life. After seeing how sensual their power exchange was for myself, how could I deny their intense chemistry? He wanted her. And even though I know his feelings for her have changed dramatically since they were young, I can’t help but feel a little twinge of jealousy at the history and connection they share.

Dorian lifts my chin up a bit to meet my mouth with his. His taste revitalizes every nerve in my body. He is sustenance; I need him like I need air. He must feel my irrational resentment and wants me to know that he is here for me and me alone. I’d be a fool to doubt his intentions after all he’s shared this evening.

“My father had a different view of who I was to be. The thought that one day I could sit on his throne secretly frightened him. He likes the authority; he likes to feel as if he should be worshipped as a god. It was never what I wanted, and he feared that one day I would succumb to my…humanity. So he thought if he could break me, could unleash my inner demons, I’d either embrace his way or run away from it altogether.”

Dorian gives my arm a little squeeze as if he’s trying to brace himself for the painful memory that he’s kept hidden all these years. “As I told you, Aurora is an Órexis. And if there is one thing that the Órexes cannot deny it is sexual desire. I thought my affections were enough to sustain her. I was wrong.”

I look up at the strong, beautiful man before me. Though his voice is level and unaffected, I know he has been hurt. How could he not be enough for any woman? And not just in the sexual sense either. Dorian, the kind, mesmerizing, mysterious, sexy, humble man I fell head over heels in love with is more than enough. He is everything.

Dorian sighs, letting go of the tension that has bound him in his solemn recollection. “My father’s method of seduction to lure Aurora was not unlike what he has tried to do with you. Once he knows your deepest, darkest secrets, he manipulates you into thinking that he can provide anything you want, anything you need.

“Aurora went to him willingly unbeknownst to me. She offered herself to him; she wanted to pleasure him. And as they were engaged in the heinous act, he summoned me so I could see for myself just how insanely depraved and wicked he really is. Aurora couldn’t say anything. She had no explanation for what she had done. And I can’t fully blame her. He took advantage of her weaknesses, her fears, her desires.”

My already aching heart completely splinters at Dorian’s divulgence. How could his own father, the man who gave him life, be so revoltingly vicious? Not to mention, sleep with his girlfriend and then call his son in to witness it? I want to cry, scream, fight for my scorned lover. Yet I hold in my pained sobs, knowing that feeling my grief will only bring him more torment.

“You know, I’ll never forget the smug look on his face. He was so…satisfied with himself as if he had done me a favor. He said to me, ‘See son, a true king always gets what he wants.’” Dorian sucks his teeth, his jaw tight with contempt. “Arrogant fuck.”

Dorian releases the grip on my arm and massages as if he has just realized he was squeezing it. “After that, I joined the Shadow and buried myself in hunting and killing to fill the massive void that he strived to make even broader. I didn’t see nor speak to my family or Aurora until I was summoned. When they discovered your parents.”

“Oh Dorian,” I croak. My throat is rough and dry with emotion. I clear it then look up at him with glossy eyes. “I would never do that. Ever. I don’t care what he thinks he knows about me. There is nothing he could give me that I don’t already have in you.”