Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 188

**His Mercy Tastes Like Hunger**
**Chapter 188: A Passage To Survival**

Fiona found herself trapped in a nightmarish scenario, with no escape in sight.

“Don’t be rough with me,” Tricia said as he settled beside her, his hand creeping onto her thigh. She reacted instantly, knocking it away with a fierce determination. “Keep quiet, or you’ll disturb him,” he warned, his voice laced with a twisted pleasure that made her skin crawl.

His tongue flicked across his lips, a grotesque gesture, as his gaze hungrily roamed over Fiona’s exposed cleavage.

“It’s been far too long, you know. Don’t you crave it?” he taunted, his eyes glimmering with a disturbing excitement.

“Have you lost your mind?!” Fiona spat, her voice dripping with rage as she glared at the deranged old man. But he simply pressed a finger against her lips, silencing her, which ignited a fire of fury within her. “Leave now, or I swear I’ll scream, and those guards outside will come in here and slaughter you on my command!”

“You wouldn’t want to draw the attention of the other warriors, would you?” Tricia arched an eyebrow, his smirk widening as he glanced towards Reginald, who lay unconscious, oblivious to the horror unfolding beside him. “You won’t get rid of me, beautiful. Your mate made that abundantly clear. He needs me alive, giving you a slim chance at survival now that you’ve squandered your opportunity to eliminate the king.”

Fiona’s jaw tightened as the realization hit her like a cold wave. So, he had been conscious during her earlier conversation with Reginald about sparing him.

“I understand your feelings toward me,” Tricia continued, his tone condescending.

“No, you don’t!” Fiona roared, her voice filled with venom. “Do you have any idea how much I fantasize about skinning you alive?”

“You dream,” he emphasized each word with a mocking lilt. “That’s the key distinction, beautiful. You dream of harming me.”

“Stay back!” Fiona hissed, her claws instinctively extending as she prepared to strike. She knew she might not be able to end his life, but the thought of scaring him away was enough to embolden her.

“Or what? What’s your plan, beautiful? Going to kill me?” Tricia observed her claws with a twisted delight, laughter bubbling forth from his throat. “Please, go ahead and try.” He taunted her by exposing his throat, a sickening challenge. “Do it, and then watch how you’ll struggle to survive without me and my Valerium backing.”

Fiona ground her teeth, the implications of his words gnawing at her. She understood all too well why Reginald needed her to keep this vile old man alive. But that knowledge did nothing to lessen the disgust that rose in her throat as his hand brushed against her cheek.

“Smart girl. You grasp the stakes at hand. You can’t eliminate me, and you know it. So let’s drop the charade, since we both understand it won’t lead you anywhere.”

“Remove your hand,” Fiona growled, her voice low and threatening. She moved to swat his hand away again, but this time Tricia seized her wrist, yanking her closer to him, forcing a kiss upon her. “Go to hell, Tricia!” she spat, her fury burning bright.

“I wish you would take me there, indeed,” he chuckled, a sinister glint in his eyes. But before Fiona could unleash another torrent of curses, he gripped her chin, his voice turning serious. “Comply with my demands, and I’ll ensure this pathetic group of warriors has sanctuary in the Valerium kingdom once we escape and reach the border.”

“I don’t want your mercy!” Fiona shot back, her voice thick with bitterness.

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