“What?” Daire attempts an innocent expression. “Spark here can give you a pet name, but I can’t? Are they reserved for Blood Bonds only?”
“I don’t know,Little Dove.”
I laugh.
Daire shrugs “And to think I’ve been scared all week that you’d tear out my throat and steal my soulmate.”
I stiffen at the same time as Lanlin does.
Well, that moved from pet name teasing to serious talk quickly.
Lanlin stares ahead into the dark sand dunes; I don’t miss the way that he is swiping his tongue over his fangs like they’re hurting. “What else would I do, when I am a monster?”
Daire narrows his eyes. “You tell me.”
“If you care to believe me, dearhearts, I would tell you that I have never harmed a Blood Lover, and I would certainly never harm one destined for my own nest. You will be honored and respected. I would also tell you that I would never tear apart two souls who are entwined like you are. I can see your bond marks.”
“Aren’t vampires possessive and shit?” I question.
Lanlin’s unsettlingly intense gaze darts to me, before quickly away. “Very, which is why I intend to be possessive of you both. Now, are you hurt, Sweet Dove?”
Daire glances down at his reddened thigh, before huffing a laugh. “You may have noticed the scars and welts on my back and shoulders through this costume. I’ll survive a little slap.”
Lanlin’s lips curl back. “But you will not have to now that you are under my protection. I wish that I could rip off the hands of everyone who has ever laid them on you.”
“Don’t worry. Most of them are dead anyway. But I wouldn’t mind you killing the dragon who whipped me.”
Lanlin looks darkly delighted.
What is this, murder bonding?
“It is done,” Lanlin declares. “Just tell me his name.”
“Dove,” I hiss in warning.
Daire sighs. “Maybe later, aye?”
Lanlin nods like they’re now firm assassin friends.
I truly hope that Lanlin doesn’t discover that hisSweet Doveis secretly the fae king who killed his mom in battle, when he so casually talks about assassinating Caligo, the instructor who beat Daire.
My pulse speeds up. Sweat drips down the back of my neck.
It hits deep in my guts how deadly this vampire is.
Also, how I’m isolated now in the Blood Kingdom with only Daire as an ally.
Surrounded by enemy soldiers.
As a spy.
If the secret identities of either Daire or I are discovered, then we’re dead.
“You do not need to tell me the name of the dragon who masked your pretty face with cursed silver to shame you or burned your wrists with iron.” Lanlin’s voice becomes low and deadly. “I recognize the work of the Nightmare of Bael. Shall I break the magic or break him?”
Normally, I would be filled with joy to hear someone offer to break Maximinus and to free Daire, but it jeopardizes the mission.
I expect Daire to find a clever way out of the offer, but instead, he tilts his head in thought.
