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“I won’t share a bed with someone covered in blood, mud, and who knows what else.”
I swallow my last bite and stand. There is no way I’m climbing in bed with this blood sucker. I glance toward the door, meeting Eagan’s unimpressed stare.
“Try it, I dare you,” Kylian says in a taunting voice, making me glance at him, and he smiles wickedly. “It’ll just excite me.”
CHAPTER 16
• Alessia •
“WHAT’S SO IMPORTANT about dragging me to your kingdom?” I ask.
Even though I am pretty sure he knows what I am, I need him to acknowledge what he wants from me. I can’t stomach the idea of being used as a weapon for his kingdom.
He looks away, jaw tight. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Have you finished eating?” With a glare, I sit back down. He sighs. He knows I’m stalling. I eat until my stomach hurts, trying to delay taking a shower, when Eagan comes over. “First light is at six fifteen. I’ll ensure the ships are ready, but I would like us to leave before six. You know these scholars are sometimes wrong about the exact rise and fall of the sun.”
His words confuse me. “Why are you so worried about the sun? I’ve seen vampires walk in daylight. The turning-to-dust thing is a myth,” I state.
“It is, for regular vampires,” King Kylian answers.
“Regular vampires?”
He sighs heavily. “Do you know of the cursed crowns?” he asks.
I nod. “I know of the five cursed kings. Although I am not exactly sure what those curses entail.”
“Well, then you know, as a ruling king, I am also cursed. The sun is part of that.”
“Wait . . . I just need to open up a curtain, and you’ll go poof and burst into flames?” I chuckle; he doesn’t.
“I wouldn’t advise it, but no, I don’t go up in flames or go poof, as you say,” he growls, moving closer to stand over me. “The sun weakens me, and I can assure you that you don’t want to see me weak.” He leans down, forcing me to shift back. “It makes me ravenous.” His eyes flash a brighter red, and I shrink in my chair. “I avoid the sun to ensure the dwindling human population remains intact.” He turns to Eagan. “See if you can fetch her some clothes. She needs to shower.”
My eyes go wide. “No.”
“Excuse me?” One dark brow shoots up.
I push the chair back, panic rising. “I’m not—We’re not—”
“Calm down.” His laugh is cold and dismissive. “I have no intention of raping you, but you will not be sleeping beside me like that.”
I glare at him, but his iron grip closes around my arm.
“Either you walk or I drag you. Your choice.”
I dig in my heels, but he yanks me. My full stomach churns with panic as the door slams behind Eagan, and Kylian drags me to the bathroom.
My feet skid across black tile as we approach the shower, and he twists the tap on. Pipes run overhead, groaning and dripping water. A bronze spout juts from the wall where water erupts from it. He grips the cloak I’m wearing, and tugs it from my shoulders, exposing me.
I don’t have time to object before he shoves me beneath the scalding hot water. I gasp, trying to scramble away, but his hand slams into my shoulder, pinning me to the tile wall.
The heat scalds, and every bruise and cut on my skin burns violently.
“You’ll stand still, or I’ll hold you here until you do.”
I twist, lashing out and trying to kick him. He traps my leg between his, pressing me tighter to the wall, drenching himself in the process.
The water pelts my head and body, making my hair stick to my face. Blood and filth run off me in ribbons, pooling at my feet. He leans in, lips near my ear. “My tolerance of you will only get you so far. I suggest you don’t push me.”
