“Yes, Timothy,” Drake answered with a polite nod before the jester ran up the steps toward the door and blew his horn, dragging everyone’s attention from their conversations.
A hush descended upon the room as I sensed invisible eyes burning into my skin. My muscles tensed, but I steeled myself against the urge to squirm beneath the board’s collective gaze. I held my head high and waited for Timothy to speak, my heart pounding like thunder in my chest.
“Greetings, all,” he boomed. “While this night has been as magnificent as a fresh stream of blood from an artery, I must announce it is drawing to a close as your King and Queen depart for the night, therefore you must get the fuck out.”
Fates, did he really just say that?
My hand flew to my mouth to stifle a laugh at his words. I wasn’t expecting that in the least, but perhaps he was known for his callousness as everyone in the crowd seemed to chuckle good naturedly.
Drake spun us around and confidently waved at the sea of people, but my attempt to save face was shattered as my eyes paused on Andrei's. His vibrant green eyes held mine for what felt like an eternity, piercing through me with a fathomless void. Jeoffrey's sharp gaze snapped toward Andrei, his body tensed with indignation. The air seemed to sizzle with animosity as I tried to avert my gaze and regain my composure.
Motherfucker.
Before Jeoffrey could take in the sight of his son, Andrei's mask was back up and a venomous sneer had replaced the emptiness I’d seen on his face. Jeoffrey seemed satisfied, nodding curtly before plastering his fake, sickening smile back onto his face as he slowly turned back around to us.
Rage welledinside of me as I took in the wave of command that Jeoffrey held over Andrei. My blood burned like fire through my veins, and I felt the unmistakable prickle of heat all over my skin as a bloodhaze began to take over. My gums seared in agony as my fangs threatened to break free from their confinement.
I would destroy him, though giving him a swift death would be too kind. I wanted to fuck with his mind and make him scream for mercy before laughing in his face and taunting him with the fact that I would keep him alive as long as it served my amusement.
He seemed to think that everyone else was alive to cater to his needs, and nothing would give me more pleasure than turning the tables on him. I wanted to see the moment the fight bled from his eyes as his body sagged in defeat with the realization that he wasn’t the one in control anymore.
I was.
Dropping my hand, my fingers curled inward as my nails dug into my palms.
Shit,I needed to leave before I showed my whole ass with this bloodhaze.
Tugging on Drake’s arm lightly, I indicated that we needed to leave right fucking now or else my first act as queen would be to show that I let my base emotions control me like a fledgling vampire.
With one last look over my shoulder at Andrei, who already had his back to me, we crossed the threshold into the castle.
Hang in there, Andrei. I won’t let you fight this battle alone.
Chapter2
ALINA
Iknew he couldn’t hear my words with the wall he had in place, but it made me feel better to speak to them through our bond anyway. Manifesting and all that shit, right?
The heavy doors thudded shut as Drake grabbed me, spinning me into his chambers in a flurry. He set me down, and my own legs felt weak beneath me, like I might collapse at any second. For a moment, I felt his hands, soft and warm on my face as the darkness that surrounded him dissipated to reveal his bright, piercing blue eyes. I felt a sudden rush of relief at the sight of them, the tension in my body melting away. Yet, his eyes were filled with an intense anger that seemed to radiate off him and draw me in. I could sense the ferocity of his rage while simultaneously feeling like he would do anything to protect me no matter the cost.
My breath caught in my throat as I gazed into his blazing eyes. I realized, with a jolt, that I felt safe with him. He made me feel protected, like I wasn’t standing alone in my fight, and that was maybe the biggest gift anyone had given me since losing my family and friends.
“Alina, what the hell happened out there?” He hissed through gritted teeth, his fingers lightly tracing the contours of my face.
I had to wonder how he could be so gentle with me despite the distress I detected in him.
His eyes roamed my features, searching desperately for the answer I wasn’t sure how to give him. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, feeling my body slump against the wall behind me. “I know I didn’t do what I should have tonight, but I—”
“Do not apologize to me, Alina,” he commanded, and my eyes flew open at the sharp tone. “I felt a deep anguish within you as you spoke with Andrei. Yet you managed to compose yourself and greet an entire crowd of vampires with a smile and polite handshake, whom if I must remind you, were your sworn enemies not too long ago. You did more than anyone else I know could have in your position, darling.”
Was that true?
While I was thinking of all the ways I’d fucked up, he focused on the strength he saw in me. My mouth dropped open, and I searched his face as I tried to put into words the way I appreciated him. He’d never given up on me and our bond despite my stubborn desperation to prove he was the villain in my story.
My knees felt weak as he brushed his thumb across my lower lip and whispered, “I’m proud of you.”
Fuck.I was officially a goner.
