Blaise is absolutely feral, fangs bared in rage and distaste, as he lands blow after blow in Leilah’s shrieking face, arms, neck—everywhere.
“You don’t fucking touch her, you batshit excuse of a vampire, you hear me! You don’t even look her way from here on out!” he bellows as he continues punching her into a bloody pulp.
Guards start piling in around us, alerted by all the screaming and commotion.
“Take her to the dungeons until the King arrives and decides what to do with her!” he says, and the sentries hurry to grab a struggling, bloodied Leilah.
“He will behead you for this.” Blaise throws her one last look before turning my way, his gaze melting from icy fury to gentle worry.
His hands are up in a soothing gesture, palms facing me, fingers splayed wide.
“Come, let me take you to your room. May I carry you there?”
I nod, wincing when he hoops an arm behind my knees, and the other one around my shoulder blades, cradling me like a fragile baby.
“But…our training…we didn’t get to…” Words come out hoarse from my mouth, my throat scratchy and bruised.
“Shhh, kitty, you’re in no shape for training today. Besides, I was just waiting for you to let you know that training’s canceled for the next few days. I have to leave.”
My voice is a weak whisper. “Why? Where?”
“To the North, princess. There’s talk through the grapevine about another impending attack on Dithrau. We must safeguard that city at all costs. It’s all that stands between the onpyrs and crossing the mountains to the capital.”
I nod meekly as we reach my bedroom door. He pushes it open with his foot and strides in with precise, confident movements.
“I will leave later tonight, or tomorrow morning, after Killian arrives from Ryawarath, and deals with the raging bitch in the dungeons.”
He delicately places me on top of the bed and stands to leave.
“Hasn’t he been here in the last week?” I ask against my better judgement.
“Do you think he would have stayed away from you for an entire week if he were here?” Blaise smirks, amused.
Well, there goes my wishful thinking!
“He left for Ryawarath after you gave him the intel on your sister. He tried to track her down himself, to no avail. But he activated all our spies in the Fae kingdom to sweep the lands like you advised.”
A tart taste fills my mouth at that. It has nothing to do with my near-death experience, and everything to do with Killian chasingafter my sister in person. Of course, he went there himself. He all but spelled it out for me—the lengths he would go to secure Aurora’s aid. As he should, for all our sakes!
Then why do I feel Blaise’s words like a metaphorical slap in my damn face? My envy tastes bitter and stale on my tongue, like spilled mead on a filthy tavern tabletop.
Oh Gods, I hope I’m not turning into a cheap carbon copy of Leilah. At least she fucked him—had a taste of that vicious sin he portrays. I just had one—not nearly enough—make-out session, and some unforgettable heavy petting. Those should be enough to fuel my dreams for a while until I can get over this troublesome bee in my fucking bonnet.
“Rest, kitty cat. I’ll send Nella with some herbal remedies for your bruises and ailments,” Blaise offers with a slight bow, directing his steps towards the door.
“Thank you, Blaise. For intervening earlier—for saving me,” I say, voice filled with tender gratitude.
“No need, Aimee. There’s nothingwewouldn’t do for you.”
The door shuts after him with a resounding thud, leaving me with my injuries and ambivalent feelings.
As promised, Nella arrived a short time later, with several ointments, herbal teas, and tinctures to soothe my pain and help regain my strength.
I spent the remainder of the day cooped up in the fuzzy softness and security of my bed, napping, munching on replenishing foods, and overthinking—what I do best.
Despite the earlier incident with Leilah, I felt safe here, in this castle, in the Vampire King’s court. How fucking ironic thatI have finally found my haven, and it’s with my kidnappers? I never felt this sense of well-being in my childhood home, nor did I feel it in Annerough, not really.
But here, between Killian and Blaise, I feel protected in a twisted way. I am aware, though, there is still a huge shoe about to drop, in the shape of my wicked twin, and I wonder if I shouldn’t press harder on my escape plans. I might not want to run away from them anymore, but I have no desire to be around when Aurora shows up.
