Page 22 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

I force the panic down. It doesn’t matter who he is, because if he touches me, or tries to undress me, I’ll fight. Even through the gag, I’ll fight.

His voice cuts through my thoughts, cooler now.

“Shall we dispense with this,” he asks lightly, indicating the collar and gag, “and start again? I imagine you’d prefer to travel the rest of the way in comfort.”

I hesitate.

“Of course, if you’d prefer to remain gagged, I have no objection.” His lips curl. “Submission suits you.”

I find myself staring at his throat as he speaks, picturing my teeth tearing through his flesh. Crushing his windpipe. Hearing the final rasp of breath leave him.

The image sends a small thrill through me. A promise of vengeance that makes this slightly more bearable.

What would it mean to kill the Vampire Prince? For the kingdom? For my kind?

I push the thought away. I have to cooperate until he takes these things off me. Which is why I do the one thing no one should ever do around a vampire. I tilt my head as if offering my neck—but only so he can remove the gag and collar.

If he’s willing to remove them, I’m willing to play along. For now.

I’ll shift into my true form the moment they’re off. And then—

“You’ll have to come closer,” he says softly.

I narrow my eyes, the fantasy of tearing his throat out coming back in full force.

He doesn’t move, waiting for me to go to him like a summoned dog.

I don’t want to obey. But for all he said about not being patient…I suspect his patience exceeds mine.

Another bead of drool slips down my chin.

Ugh.

I rise, ducking my head slightly to avoid the ceiling. I take a small step closer, edging around his crossed legs.

He looks me up and down. “Splendid. Now…kneel.”

I baulk.

What?

He answers my unspoken question, nodding at the carriage floor between our seats. “This does not have to be difficult, Kira. Kneel, and I will remove the restraint. That is the deal.”

I’d rather chew broken glass.

He rests his hands in his lap. “Kneel or don’t kneel. It really is your choice.”

Death by fire, I decide. Or strangulation. Either would be too good for him, but would satisfy me.

I consider my options. Or lack of. The humiliation of the gag burns, but not as much as submitting would. I don’t care what he thinks of me. Not really. But I think of Byron and Mary, seeing myself through their eyes if they were here. What they would think to see me yield so easily.

No.

I won’t kneel for him.

Never.

Chapter 4