Lanlin stills. “That would dishonor Dove.”
“That’s not an answer.”
A pair of beautiful vampires dance and kiss, twirling past me in nothing but snake-like lapis lazuli collars. They are so lost in each other that they don’t appear to notice Lanlin.
“My fangs ache with such agony that I have considered tearing them out,” Lanlin replies like I am not staring at him inhorror. “They have for the years that I have not been able to sink them into your throat. I will not sully my fangs with anyone’s skin but my fated mate’s. I have witnessed here, also in the Scarlet Temple, how pleasurable the bite is. For an Omega, it is like being rutted but by fangs. It is the deepest ecstasy that a Shadow Vampire can experience: blood, desire, and intimacy. I merely drink donated Blood Lover’s blood, however, from glass goblets; it tastes rancid.”
He turns quickly and prowls further down the corridor.
That was weirdly romantic.
Also, sad.
Lanlin pushes open a low door, before glancing over his shoulder to make sure that I am following him.
“Where are you taking me?” I demand. “There must be actual dancing going on or…”
“I’m taking you to start your lessons in my language. Aren’t you interested in my hieroglyph magic, my dear? You have looked through my papers several times.”
I freeze.
Shit, shit, shit.
I should have known that he could tell I’d rifled through the items on his desk. Was it by the trace of my scent?
I try not to shake. “How did you…?”
“I’m an assassin. I notice things. And you found my drawings. Still, it was a guess, until you admitted it to me by your answer.”
Fuck a troll.
It should be Wraith here on this mission, rather than me.
Lanlin is too good at this.
I give an awkward laugh. “You caught me. I would often borrow…okay, steal…books from the elite in Fang Court to study rune magic. As an orphan Omega, I spent most of my time on my knees scrubbing the floors. But I dreamed of learning magic.”
“By my heart, what barbaric kingdom would treat any Omega as a servant? I give you my blood oath that if it is within my power, you will never need to steal to make your dreams come true again.”
I smirk. “What if I like stealing?”
Lanlin tilts his head to study me. “Then you shall be my Thief Queen.”
My cheeks flush.
He would accept even that side of me…?
“This is my favorite room in the palace.” A genuine smile flits across Lanlin’s lips. I like it and wish that I could put it there myself. “It’s called The House of Life, a sacred archive, where knowledge is kept alive. Nebet only allowed me out of the temple to one place — this room. My tutor was Heka, a vampire mage. He taught me hieroglyph magic.” He rests against the archway. “I was feral, when Nebet brought me to him. A little monster who bit and clawed, furious at the world. I was beaten for it, but when I bit Heka the first time, he didn’t hit me back. He calmly said, “I will prove that you’re safe with me, my Prince. Also, how to turn those fangs into weapons against your true enemies. Everybody is a monster in their own way.” He was the first person to call meprinceor to treat me like I was worthy of the title.”
Lanlin hasn’t spoken about anyone with this quiet warmth before.
“Why wasn’t Heka in court the other day? Can I meet him?” I ask.
I am glad that Lanlin at least had someone in his corner, when he was young.
“As you wish. I should warn you that Heka is a hermit, obsessed with his study and experiments. Don’t expect him to take part in court life.”
Lanlin pushes through into the House of Life, and I follow him eagerly.
