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“I will ask around and see what the other kingdoms have to say.”
“You know Kaiser won’t be forthcoming. He guards the fae kingdom like Draven guards his gold.” King Zander sounds exasperated.
“He won’t have a choice unless they want war. I will speak with Xavian. He might deal with Kaiser, then we can begin planning if needed. Until then, let’s hope we don’t.”
King Kylian’s hand slides beneath the cloak, and I jolt. He moves me so that my legs are across his, adjusting the cloak to ensure it remains closed as the guards enter.
“Your pet has awoken. I bet she doesn’t even make it back to your kingdom before you’ve drained her dry after her system clears. It’s quite disturbing seeing you using your vampiric charms to sedate her. She is basically a fuck doll.” King Zander laughs.
“My charms definitely have some uses.”
My thoughts go to the blood bank, and my cheeks heat.
Their conversation moves gradually back to trade routes, rations, and the blood bank. At some point, I must have really fallen asleep because I jolt awake with movement, only to find my face in the crook of his neck as he’s carrying me through the castle halls.
CHAPTER 15
• Alessia •
WE ENTER A room larger than the barn my sister and I slept in.
Heavy drapes line the windows so no light can enter, and a fire burns low in a fireplace on the far wall. The table beside it is covered in food that a servant is setting out: slabs of beef, hunks of fresh bread, and fruit so bright it looks fake.
King Kylian moves to a carved chair, backlit by the fire. “Wash her hands for me.”
Eagan drags me toward the room’s attached bathroom and nudges me toward the small sink. “Remove the blood from your wrists,” he orders, and I quickly do, ensuring I use soap. I can’t remember the last time I had hot running water to wash with, but I make quick work of cleaning up. Eagan leads me back to the table, giving me another nudge. I catch myself on the edge, nearly knocking over a silver goblet.
The servant to my right averts his gaze and, after a moment, deposits another tray of food silently. The door clicks shut behind him.
Kylian’s gaze doesn’t leave me as I shift my weight from one foot to the other. “Sit and eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’ll eat,” he says, and I catch the faint curl of his lip. “Now sit.”
I stay on my feet.
He lets out a sigh, as if this is all beneath him. “You have two choices. You eat and come with me. Or you return to King Zander, and I let him decide what to do with you. I imagine it will be quick.” He glances at my wrists. “Or not.”
A shiver slices through me. The Lycan King’s eyes promised nothing but pain.
King Kylian waits, still as a corpse. “What’s it to be?”
My stomach turns at the sight of meat, but I force myself to look away. “Why haven’t you just killed me yet? Isn’t that why you took me?”
His red eyes narrow. “That isn’t your concern right now.”
I snort. “You’re just keeping me alive for fun.” I want to ask so many questions about what I overheard in that room, but it is not my place.
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he leans back in his chair.
I try again. “Are you going to chain me up in your dungeons? Feed on me until I’m dry?”
He doesn’t blink. “You’re leaving with me tomorrow. Once we reach my kingdom, you’ll get your answers.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you—”
He rises so fast the chair nearly topples.
