She does not wish me to be here,and I do not blame her. How can I when I know my presence is like a slap in the face to her rule?
I wish I could say this made me angry, but it doesn’t. If anything, it makes me sad. I feel for the queen in a way I know I shouldn’t.
“This is my son, Wyatt Cornelius Castor.” She nods to Wyatt, who looks as if he’s bored out of his skull. He makes no move to address me, just grunts out a sound that I’m not quite sure can be considered language at all.
The tension in the room is thick, and so I do the only thing I can think of to keep things from sliding off course. I step forward, focusing my gaze on the Castorian prince as I channel all my teachings and etiquette, all the years of preparation. His gaze drifts to me slowly, settling on my face, but his expression betrays no hint of emotion. It is cold, stoic, and calculating.
“Your majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“I wish I could say the same,” he says, his voice just as sharp as his gaze. But there is an undeniable darkness in his tone. His voice is smooth and deep, like undulating waves begging to pull you under.
His words cut me, but I must remain vigilant. I must appeal to his better nature, perhaps his sense of blood or his primal desire. My powers are not fully-fledged due to the fact I have not claimed and bonded a mate yet, but I’ve enough understanding and ability to call upon my power of desire. All vampires have this ability—to portray ourselves in a way that enables our prey to trust us. Towantus.
And while it isn’t something vampires usually callupon in the presence of their own, it certainly happens, it’s just not something that is commonly discussed. Because the implications are rather unsettling.
Why would a vampire need to appear or take on the illusion ofsomeone elseif they have a mate?
“Wyatt, do not be so dramatic,” the queen bites. “Show the princess the respect she deserves.”
Wyatt twists his lips, turning his cerulean gaze on me and forces the most disingenuous smile I’ve ever seen.
It’s still hotter than it should be, because fuck if this vampire isn’t sex incarnate.
I hate that I find his disposition and his bitterness arousing—that I findhimarousing in a way my dreams and fantasies could not do justice.
“My apologies,Ivy. Pleasure is all mine.” He sneers as he rises from his throne. He takes two steps toward me, and I am frozen. My legs feel numb and my heart beats in my chest like a drum as hestalksme, circling me like prey. There is a heavy tension in the air and I am aware my father and the queen are watching us quite intently.
“Tell me, Ivy,” he bites, “about all the ways you are perfect for me. And don’t leave out any details.” His tone is accusatory and drips with arrogance, as if he truly believes I am somehow beneath him, and I can’t help but respond to his rudeness.
“You ask as if you yourself are flawless,” I say, meeting his gaze as he continues to circle me like a shark.
He scoffs at me. “I am. Flawless.”
He snaps at me with his fangs and though I want to jump, I don’t. It takes all my concentration to staypositively still, unmoved by his attempt to intimidate me. I can’t deny that the sight of his fangs—long, slender and glistening with saliva—and his proximity make my insides twist with delight in a way I’ve never felt before. I’m confused by this contrasting feeling of desire and bitterness.
It’s like my brain and my body are on two different pages of a book I’ve barely started reading.
“I entered my father’s army—against his wishes of course—when I was fourteen. I graduated at the top of my class. I have spent the last seven years honing my skills as a hunter. Educating myself on war andalliances.” He licks his lips, and I watch as he stops in front of me.
“Then you must know that is why I am here,” I say carefully. “The Reign kingdom wishes to put war aside and form an equal alliance.” I purse my lips. “There are far more enemies out there who are a threat tous, Wyatt, than the ones you seem to think are in this room.”
I hear the queen’s slight chuckle, but it is short-lived as Wyatt lurches towards me, causing me to fall back and nearly stumble. His blue eyes blaze like the darkest, hottest parts of a fire.
Fire is our one true enemy. It is the only thing that can truly kill us; turning us into ash that we can never rise from.
As I look at Wyatt, I realize he is not sex incarnate. He is fire in its most vicious form.
“And why should I align withyou?” The disdain and judgment in his voice is prevalent. Panic laces through me as I try to grasp onto the moment, but the way he islooking at me, sneering at me, I can not find it in myself to be polite and placate his bruised ego.
And so I say what I shouldn’t. I respond in a way that goes against my very upbringing.
I respond to hisfireand not his title.
“Because your kingdomneedsme. Your mother’s rule is tenuous at best, until she gives birth. And if that child is not your father’s, your lineage and your throne will be questioned. With all due respect, your highness,” I sneer back at him. “You will have no throne to sit on if you do not accept my offer.”
Wyatt regards me with a steely gaze, a vicious smirk lacing his lips. His fangs glint in the low light and he appraises me as if I am an entertaining jester and not a princess here tohelphim and his kingdom.
“So she has teeth, after all.” He laughs, then pouts at me like I am a child. “Pity you think so little of me, princess, when you are the one that needs me.” His gaze roves over my body, settling on my breasts before he meets my gaze. “Or rather my cock, seeing as your kingdom lacks a male heir despite the fact your father has fucked half the bloody realm.”
