This kingdom makes my head spin.
The first one, Sobek, is a strikingly tall and broad Alpha who dwarfs the Alpha at his shoulder. He appears to be about Lanlin’s age and is dressed in crocodile-skin armor.
He doesn’t look at anyone.
His expression is serious and grim, dangerously focused. His short curls are neat. He has the same gray eyes as the woman.
Are they related?
Sobek has the appearance of an official, despite his unusual armor. But then, maybe he is a warrior, because a deep scar bisects his face, through his eyebrow, cheek, and all the way to his lip.
I glance nervously at Daire.
I hope that I won’t find out that Sobek is another of Daire’s battlefield triumphs.
Why am I conflicted that Daire is a good killer? That all my men are?
How could they have survived any other way?
As if he knows what I’m thinking, Daire taps the snowflake three times, which is our secret code forno.
I take it to meanno, I didn’t fight this Blood, but it could equally mean,no, don’t say anything to piss off this asshole vampire.
My shoulders relax.
The other Blood appears to be a little younger. He is smaller and prettier, as decadently dressed as the other two aren’t. His crocodile leather outfit is artfully designed to show off his legs and chest. He is smothered in collar jewelry, earrings, and bracelets of peridot and emerald.
His long, black curls drip around his shoulders like a dark temptation.
Horus’ eyes are half-hooded and sleepy.
He follows his brother, as if he would rather be anywhere but here. Probably, organizing an orgy by the way he is sending wicked grins to the Scarlet Temple priestesses, who are purring and swooning because of a single glance from the Alpha.
I can smell their slick from here.
I wrinkle my nose.
Now I know who the playboy of the Blood Court is.
Both the Alphas are wearing the same crocodile brooch. Are they all from the same family?
Sobek stands at the female Beta’s shoulder like a bodyguard.
Horus, on the other hand, throws himself down on the bottom step of the dais. He sprawls out like he’s trying to make as pretty a picture as possible and closes his eyes, as if he’s disinterested in what’s going on.
I’m not tricked.
“Lan, why didn’t you come to me immediately? I had to hear the news being gossiped through the palace of the disgraceful way that you returned after such a humiliating defeat. How could you have been outmaneuvered like that? I should have known that you would be too trusting. You don’t know the kingdoms…the world…outside the Scarlet Temple.”The woman’s voice is sweet with fake concern, while she stabs the king bloody. I snarl. “Are you hurt?”
Lanlin simply shakes his head. His jaw clenches.
The Beta tosses her hair. “Why is there…a wolf…on your throne? A wolf who could have been behind the attempt on your life? The breaking of the peace treaty?”
“She wasn’t,” Lanlin coldly replies.
“Have you even asked her? Or the fae.” She spitsfaelike it is poison.
“I have a name.” Daire drops his gaze with a pretend meekness that I’m sure was taught to him in the Courtesan Guild.
