“He was resistant, but my magic persuaded him to believe the idea was his own. He’ll bring it up at the next council meeting.”
“Excellent.” A dark light entered my uncle’s eyes. “In that case, I want you to speak with your father tonight before he goes to bed, Prim. And I want you to make him think the new mining tunnels are also an excellent idea.”
“You want me to use my magic on your brother?” Tears threatened to fill my eyes. “Myfather?”
“No crying,” he said in a low, harsh tone.
I instantly blinked my tears away. “I’m sorry.”
“Andyes, you’re to use your magic on the king. Do you understand what I’m telling you to do, Prim?”
I dipped my head, and even though I wanted to sob, I didn’t allow the tears to come. “Yes, Uncle.”
He grinned. “Very good. Now, as for that book...” He began to rummage around in his compartments until he found it.
Book in hand, I exited his carriage and waved a farewell. To the outside realm, I was sure my smile looked wide and my eyes bright, but inside I was dying.
My uncle had just commanded me to use my deadly magic on my father, and I had to obey.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kole trailed behind me on the walk back to my chambers. He didn’t say a word, and he hadn’t since my uncle had left.
I made myself move steadily, but my mind was racing. I kept looking for some way in which I could defy Arnel, because the absolute last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt my parents. However, if I couldn’t find a way out of it, tonight I would be forced to manipulate my father’s mind.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize Kole was standing right in front of me, just down the hall from my chambers.
“Oh!” I stopped myself from walking right into him.
Xaven glanced toward us, but he was far enough away that I doubted he could hear us.
Kole’s eyes alighted, and his gaze drifted over my face. “Did you hear my question, Princess?” His tone was soft, and it felt like a caress to my soul.
I shivered slightly. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t.”
His brow furrowed, and he raised a hand to cup my cheek.
I instantly reared back, too afraid that he’d comment on my skin temperature again, but he cupped it anyway and stopped me from retreating farther. His warm palm settled over me, and it felt like bliss. He was so hot and inviting. Slowly, his handtrailed down the side of my neck, his thumb gliding along my skin.
A stirring began in my core that was both mine and from my horrific vampire urges.
Kole inhaled, and a pulse of light flickered in his eyes. “Are you afraid of me?”
My head reared back and broke our contact. “What? No.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Why in the realm would you ask that?”
His head tilted, and his aura strummed steadily upward. “Are you afraid of someone else?”
My eyes widened because Kole had just asked me a question that didn’t necessarily implicate my uncle, so Arnel’s commanding magic stayed quiet.
My throat grew dry, but I couldn’t help my entirely honest reply. “Yes.”
The second I admitted that, I slapped a hand to my mouth.What are you doing, Primelle?I couldn’t tell Kole anything. I couldn’t even allude to it. If the warrior began to suspect Arnel, I would be forced to mind-rape Kole, and the thought of hurting him was even worse than hurting my parents.
“I have to go.” I abruptly whirled away. “I need to talk to Ree. She was expecting to meet me in the library today, but I’m not sure if I feel up to it.”
“Primelle.” Kole reached for me, but I yanked my arm away and raced to my door.
“Please stay in the hall again!” I called to him and fumbled with the door handle, nearly tripping in my haste to get away, and when Xaven tried to help, I pushed him away too.
