“He really is so protective, Elina. He is such a good man.” She rubs his shoulder, possessively, and I tilt my head. Curious development, Genevieve seems to have some complex feelings about her brother-prince. “Nic, would you like to feed now? I can bring her in.”
Her? He’s intending to feed in front of me?
“Not yet, Gen,” he responds, his voice dipped in honey and something darker. “Let's allow Elina to finish her food first. She isn’t ready to feed together, and food is important for humans–” he gives me a disdainful glance “–and hybrids.” More whiplash.What is his problem with hybrids?
“No, I’m finished.” I stand, taking my plate, still half full, to the table and leave it there. Suddenly I am not as hungry as I thought. “I’ll return to my room.”
“Not yet, sit.” When I don’t move back to the sofa, he gives me an angry look. “SIT!” Startled by his outburst, I move back to my seat. “Good. Go ahead, Gen, bring her in.” My hands tremble where they are placed in my lap.
Hearing the door open behind me, I turn and Amelie is walking in, her arm gripped by Marc. Her entire body is shaking, wrists circled by bruises. She also has a ring of bruises around her neck. She makes eye contact with me and her eyeswiden—tears fill my own eyes at the sight of her. I cover my mouth to avoid crying out, hoping beyond hope that he only feeds and lets her go even though, I know in my heart, that isn’t the case.
“Elina, I heard you had a bit of a problem with this worker at your place of employment. I believe a bit of a spat in regards to that Italian you’re attached too.” He looks at me for confirmation, which I refuse to give him. “I do not agree with the silliness of fighting over a man, there should never be a reason too. Honestly, any man worth fighting over wouldn’t need to be fought for. Still, I will not allow anyone to insult you, my love.”
I have no words for how insane this situation feels.
“I’ve already shown you today how far I am willing to go to protect you, but with this, I want to show you that I will also seek revenge on your behalf.”
“I-I do not- Nicolas, please, I don’t need revenge. Amelie is my friend.” Tears are running down my face now.
Shaking his head, he smiles. “Shewasyour friend, now she is not. You will be queen darling. Insulting you is insulting the throne you will sit on, and that is unacceptable.” He almost manages to look sad as he says this, but the excited gleam in his eye gives too much away. Amelie stares at me, pleading with her eyes for me to do something. I wish I could.
“I’m so sorry, Amelie,” I mutter as I look away. Her shoulders fall and tears begin to coat her cheeks.
Nicolas slowly stands and approaches her, the tears falling heavier now, her breath coming out in gasps and shudders. Grabbing a hand full of her hair tightly, he yanks her head back and she cries out.
“Apologize to her!” he snaps at her, turning her face to me.
“I- I- I’m sorry,” she stutters through her sobs. “Please, I’m sorry. Let me go, I’m sorry.”
“Should have thought about that before you insulted my love.” Tipping his head back, his fangs descend and he plunges them roughly into her exposed neck. She screams out. Genevieve approaches and latches onto the other side of her neck and she starts to collapse into their collective hold. I watch through tear-filled eyes. A few short moments later, they both release her and she tumbles into a pile on the floor, discarded, now that she has served her purpose.
I fight wave after wave of nausea, before I fail and vomit my entire dinner onto the floor, heaving over and over until there is nothing left.
For the second time in as many days, my vision goes black and I lose consciousness. The last thing I hear is unhinged laughter.
