“Why didn’t Mr. Delusion leave me a glass of blood?” I whined softly, my voice scratchy from disuse. I didn’t bother to open my eyes, not sure if I could open them anyway. “Just a little bit more of his sunshine blood would have been nice. He was yummy.”
The shouts of fear eventually subsided—nary a sound heard outside. I merely listened to the scurrying of rats inside the tunnels, their scraping nails clicking on the cave’s floor, hurried, running for the feast of the dead lying about. Their chewing was a smidge off-putting, their teeth gnashing together loudly and their tiny panting breaths between bites frantic—too many damned rats for royal living, to be sure.
“You should have gotten some cats,” I mumbled, pulling my eyes open once more. “Or some rat poison. Your rodent infestation is appalling, Your Royal Highness.”
I held her gaze as long as I could.
I blinked. Yes, her gaze was creepy.
“Damn, you are good.” One side of my lips quirked up. “You are the winner of the staring contest. I blinked first.”
I nibbled on my cracked bottom lip.
Ireallyneeded blood. I would continue to spiral if I didn’t get what I needed. The pain in my stomach would not go away.
And I wanted King Belshazzar.
So much so, I could have sworn I heard him…
It sounded like he was calling my name…
I turned my head to the side and pushed on the table with trembling hands, straightening up to sit tall—only swaying a little where I sat on the wooden chair.
Belshazzar stood near the entrance of the room, with his twin brother and others. He breathed in profound relief, “Gwen.”
“Bel…” I slurred.Was he really here?
My eyes burned with unshed tears.
Therushof his blood filled my ears.
King Belshazzar stepped toward me, bringing his mint scent with him. “Gwynnore, are you—”
I blurred with speed.
All the strength I had…
Blood.Sweet,sweetblood.
I climbed his muscular body and wrapped myself around him like a monkey. I fisted a handful of his long, silky black hair and jerked his head to the side, sinking my fangs deep into his neck, his powerful blood coating my tongue.
Rainbows on a dark night.
I sucked in a harsh breath.
My eyelashes fluttered, my body tensing.
My mind fucking screamed his name.
Over and over. And over again.
Belshazzar. Belshazzar. Belshazzar!
“Shit,” Bel hissed harshly, wrapping his arms around me. His right hand grabbed the back of my head, holding my face close to his neck. King Belshazzar’s body stiffened with tension. A moment passed, and then he whispered, “It will be all right, little one. Do not fear it.”
I shuddered hard, my eyes closing.
My wristburnedas a brand appeared.
