From there, under the guise of sipping tea and making innocent small talk, I was to manipulate the House leader to sway the king’s council to allow nobles in the western kingdom to expand their reach into the mines below Esvedeel Forest. Iwas to use the Osterland Exchange as an example, a previous deal made between Mistvale and Faewood Kingdoms, and I was to speak of the wealth our kingdom had garnered since the tunnels had been drilled beneath that land.
House Torleaf was to push for another exchange, this one between Stonewild and Mistvale. Of course, the lands those mines were on sat just north of my uncle’s estate. And since Arnel was one of the presiding nobles in that region, he was to be given first rights to the tunnels to extend his reach. That meant Arnel’s wealth would significantly increase.
Brow furrowing, I wondered if all of his requests would be like that. Tomorrow’s task was likely the first of many demands my uncle was going to place on me. At least creating new tunnels wouldn’t hurt anybody, but I had no idea if his wishes would eventually result in that.
But I had a feeling his initial tasks would all be related to increasing his wealth, which, of course, meant his power in his region of Mistvale would rise.
Yet, I doubted that was his endgame. From what I’d seen of my uncle’s true nature, he was cunning and shrewd. And he’d mentioned something about falling second in line to the throne not being fair. He was clearly envious of my father’s position, which could mean he desired the crown, and now that he had me—a powerful fairy who could literally command fae to do whatever she wanted—what better way to start his rise to the throne than to increase his wealth and reach.
But once that was complete . . .
Arms crossed, I drummed my fingers against my biceps. I had a feeling once that was complete, Arnel would be aiming his reach higher.
I paced in my chamber and reminded myself that Arnel hadn’t set his sights directly on my family or anyone I loved yet.
I shivered even though I wasn’t cold, not internally at least. Since becoming a vampire, I hadn’t felt cold or warm. It was as though my body no longer cared what state it was in.
A flash of magic appeared behind me, and Kole’s aura slammed into my back.
I stilled, and for a moment, I couldn’t move.
Kole. He was here. I closed my eyes, and for one blessed moment, I reveled in thefeelof him.
Body finally jolting, I whirled around.
Kole stood just across the room. As always, his huge sword was strapped to his back, his shoulders broad, his black attire shining. Dazzling blue eyes raked over my frame, and a zing of fear ran through me even though my glamour was still intact. But seeing him, being in the same room with him...
It suddenly hit me how foolish my optimism had been.
Goddess, I shouldn’t have asked for him to return. He’ll know, and then I’ll have to?—
Before I could finish that thought, the warrior was in my space and crushing me to him.
My entire body locked up, especially when he buried his nose in my neck and inhaled.
“Gods, I’ve missed you,” he whispered. “I didn’t know if they’d let me return.”
Tentative hope bloomed in me. He was touching me, smelling me, and he hadn’t reacted.
I wrapped my arms around him.Perhaps he won’t detect how much I’ve changed.
Just as that foolish thought hit me, he stiffened.
“Stars. You’re freezing.” He pulled back, his brows folding together.
“I am?” I desperately wanted to lay a palm on his cheek, to brush my lips against his, to pull him back into my arms. A stirring began deep inside me. Longing. Want. Carnal desire.
Stars Above.
Vampire urges reared up too, coursing through my blood and swirling around my dead heart. I licked my lips and tried to act normal. Tried not to react. But Kole’s scent, his feel, his body...
Gods, I want to fuck him.
“Primelle?” His frown grew.
I shoved myself away from him and strode to the window. Agitatedly, I ran a hand through my hair. My jaw ached again. Fiercely. And it took everything in me to keep my fangs from lengthening because I wanted to not only fuck Kole but to sink my teeth into him too.
Horror washed through me, and I called shrilly over my shoulder, “I’ve been chilled a lot lately.”
