He leaned in and kissed me hard. “You stupid, impulsive, wonderful woman. You shouldn’t have done that.”
“I’m scared.”
“Stay alive. We’ll be back for you. I swear.”
“I know.”
He kissed me again, and this time, his voice didn’t carry beyond my hearing. “Donotlet your power dwindle.”
Before we could say anything else, he was yanked away from me, and dragged bodily out of the throne room, the doors slamming shut behind them, cutting them out of my view.
I was positively fucking terrified.
I wasn’t even sure that this man wouldn’t kill them on the other side of the door.
“Lord Aiko, please unshackle our guest.”
The dark-haired lord motioned to the guard with the keys, and a moment later, I was freed.
“You are assigned to be her guide while she—”
“What do you want with me?” I sliced my way right through his words.
He laughed. “You’re rude. I like that.”
I folded my arms, grateful to have the manacles off. “What do you want with me?”
“Just to talk. To make you see that your power belongs here with the vampires.”
So, to use me against the druids. We were going to start this bullshit already.
He wasn’t going to let me go. Ever.
“Lord Aiko. Take Mistress Breaker to her rooms. Make sure she has provisions for clothes and bring her to dinner promptly. She’s your responsibility. Make sure she understands the rules.”
Lord Aiko bowed at the waist and took my elbow.
“There will be a Blood Rite celebration for the Breaker in four days’ time. And, Aiko, make sure you take her by the fountain so she understands the rules here. I will call on you, Mistress Breaker, and we will talk.”
I said nothing.
“Go,” he said and waved us away.
“Yes, sire,” Lord Aiko said and ushered me out of the audience chamber.
Without preamble, the lord knight drew me along the corridors. We rose and rose in the building until he stopped me in front of a door.
Drawing out a key, he unlocked it and opened it. He motioned me in.
Wrapping my arms about myself, I walked to the center of the room. “What is this fountain the king reminded you of?”
“I will take you there later,” Aiko said. “You need time to mourn. Your friend and the loss of freedom.”
“I’d be an idiot to think that door is going to be unguarded.”
He remained in the door. “I wouldn’t say idiot, but perhaps it’s a wise assumption.”
Staring at him, I blinked a few times. “Why are you being nice to me?”
