“Damn,” Dakath breathed out.
A nervous laugh escaped me. I shook my head and breathed out, “Yeah.Damnis right.”
At this point, I felt numb. I was on information overload.
“There is so much to explain, but I need to add that you are able to drink both human and vampyre blood to sustain yourself. Ensure you are feeding yourself enough.”
Her words felt pointed as she looked to the three Lords. Did she want them to know that they could feed me?
From a door near her throne, a guard I recognized from earlier came through. “Your Majesty, we have a pressing matter to discuss with you. Apologies.”
I needed more information, but it was just as well. I wasn’t sure how many more life-changing revelations I could handle right now.
With a heavy sigh, the Empress pushed from the table. “If you’ll excuse me, duty calls. Elijah, please show Kyella to the library tomorrow. I will ensure you have it to yourselves and will have my family text ready for you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Elijah answered, ever the duty-bound Lord.
As she walked away, effectively ending our dinner party, I pushed to my feet, ready to go back to my suite. I needed time to process all this. Before I stepped away, though, I begrudgingly picked up my goblet and drained it in a few long gulps before placing it back on the table.
Wiping my lips with a napkin, I saw all three of the Lords’ eyes trained on me. “What?” I asked, perturbed by the eerie silence.
Dakath’s eyes ran over my expression, a rumble escaping his throat. “I just find you drinking blood an incredibly intoxicating sight,” he admitted as his tongue darted out to lick his lip.
My body was suddenly alight with the primal desire he projected.
My eyes went to Kolvar, who offered me a smirk and asked, “Would you prefer to drink blood from one of us rather than the human blood we’re served?”
Why was his tone so…tempting? I needed to get a hold of myself. I felt my body betray me as an array of images ran through my head of being in their hands as they explored me while I drank from them.
Heat pooled between my legs, and I shifted my thighs uncomfortably. Clearing my throat, I announced, “I’m ready to go back to my room.”
Elijah’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood, his nostrils flaring. My entire body froze and I felt like I couldn’t breathe for a moment.Was he scenting my arousal?My cheeks burned at the thought. That would be so embarrassing.
His eyes snapped shut, his brow furrowed in frustration as his hands clenched the edge of the table, veins bulging from the force. His breathing turned heavier and he rolled his head, multiple cracks sounding before he opened his eyes and released the table to stand to his full height, his gaze trained on me. “Yes, I do think it’s time weallreturned to our rooms for the night.”
With that pointed comment, he glared at Dakath and Kolvar, the first grumbling about being told what to do. Dakath offered Elijah a narrowed look but didn’t seem to argue, but because of that it felt like a tense walk back to our rooms, my eyes constantly volleying between the three of them.
I hadn’t been successful in dousing the desire that had been brought to the surface, which only intensified at Elijah’s display. Why did I want to break his control so bad? Maybe it was the hope that there was something underneath his stoic manner? Maybe it was the hope that he wanted me as badly as I was drawn to him?
“Goodnight, Kyella,” he growled out as he pushed into his room and slammed the door shut, making me jump.He didn’t even look back at me.
With wide eyes, I looked to Kolvar and Dakath who were sharing a look I didn’t completely understand. As their gazes turned to me, Dakath’s voice dropped to an enticing timber. “We don’t feel safe leaving you alone tonight, Ky. Would it be okay if one of us stood guard outside while the other stood guard inside by your windows?”
My first reaction was to laugh. “I don’t think I’d be able to sleep with one of you lurking near the windows. That’s kind of creepy.”
But my second reaction was an internal one, a slow spread of warmth expanding from my heart and through the rest of me. I’d thought I wanted to be alone tonight with my thoughts, but as soon as he offered company, I found myself latching onto the idea.
I didn’t want to be alone. More so, I didn’t want to be away from them.
His face fell, so I was quick to add, “But, uhm, the bed is more than big enough for a second person to lie in with me.”
I wanted to force the words back into my mouth as soon as they’d escaped. Was I being too forward? I just knew I’d feel more comfortable if they were lying down instead of standing and hovering.
“Deal!” Kolvar exclaimed, picking me up. Dakath sped to open my door in a singular moment as Kolvar whisked me inside and placed me back on my feet.
The doors separating the bedroom and sitting room were shut, and I made quick work of slipping out of my dress and into a black silk sleep set. Washing my face and brushing my teeth in the bathroom, I crept back to the dividing door and cracked it open, peeking out to hear them squabbling about who got to stand watch outside versus in my bed.
A rare moment of boldness overcame me as I called out, “Why don’t you take turns?”
