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Lainule stood and faced me, taking me by the shoulders. Her smile was a fading glimpse of summer. “Cicely, I’m telling you this one time and one time only, and I expect you to obey: Walk away. Leave Grieve behind. He was lost to us the day Myst drank from his throat and turned him. The prince of my court is dead, and in his place, a pale Shadow Hunter now follows the hem of Winter. There is no place for him should he return to my realm. I would reject him. Or kill him.”
And with that, she turned away. Stunned, I could only stare at her back as she motioned to Geoffrey. “Vampire, we must talk in private. We have much to discuss.” Over her shoulder, she said, “Cicely, go home. Work your magic and tend your business for the townsfolk. They need the help. Do as Geoffrey and Regina command you, since you’ve seen fit to indenture yourself to them. And leave Grieve in the dust. We will conclude matters later.”
In silence, she passed out of the room. Geoffrey motioned to his servant. “Ensure that Her Majesty is comfortable and tell her I’ll be there shortly.”
He turned to me. “Lainule is right. You will only come to despair if you seek out Grieve. Meanwhile, you will continue to report anything you notice. Lannan will see you out. Good evening.” Opening the door, he escorted Regina out.
I didn’t want them to leave. Even with Leo and Rhiannon in the room, I didn’t feel safe around Lannan. And I was right to be nervous. As soon as Geoffrey and Regina disappeared down the hall, Lannan turned to Leo.
“Cicely will meet you in a few moments. Go and wait for her at the front door.” He waved them off. Though I could see by their faces that they wanted to protest, they were smart enough to keep quiet.
As they passed out of the room, I closed my eyes, steeling myself. Knowing Lannan, anything could be coming my way. He closed the door softly and turned toward me. The golden man, Apollo incarnate, with shimmering hair and obsidian eyes, and oh-so-breathtaking looks. But looks were deceptive.
He circled me.
I stood still, silent. Stifle the feelings, turn on the numbness, barricade the emotions. Let him do what he wants and then get on with life.
He stopped by my side. “Cicely?” He reached out and cupped my chin. His voice was so soft I could barely catch what he was saying. “My lovely, beautiful, breathing woman. Your face is so warm, so vibrant. You’re blushing.” A smile, feral and predatory, crept into the corners of his lips. He held my chin so I couldn’t look away and leaned forward, mere inches from my lips.
I swallowed my fear, forcing myself to remain steady. Lannan had the bite to back up his actions, and he was all about humiliating others.
With breathless lips close to mine, he slid his hand from my chin down my throat, his fingers trailing around the side of my neck, making me shiver despite myself.
“Cicely, listen to me,” he whispered. “You do not belong to Geoffrey. You will never belong to Geoffrey, even if I have to kill you and turn you myself, so don’t bother considering his offer. If I find out he’s touched you, I’ll drain you dry. You’re my toy, and I don’t share my favorites.”
I thought of protesting but stopped. I’d seen this side of Lannan, and I knew what he was capable of when he flew into a rage.
His lips almost on mine, he said, “And Lainule is right. Forget your Fae Prince. You’ve lost him. Join my stable. While Regina is my Queen, you will be the first among my bloodwhores.”
“I am no bloodwhore.” I didn’t try to break free—that would spur him on—but slowly, I tried to ease my head away.
But Lannan had other ideas. His arm was suddenly around my waist and his lips were on mine. I could feel him rigid and hard against me. He slid his tongue inside my mouth.
A warm sensation began to rise through my body as the euphoria of his kiss filtered through every cell. I realized that I had melted; I was pressing against him, wet and warm and aching for release. Furious, I pulled back, pushed his mouth away from mine.
Lannan arched his eyebrows. Grabbing my wrist, he twisted until I was gritting my teeth. “Don’t ever push me away again, girl. Not if you value what life you have left.” Once again, he fastened his lips on mine and ravished me with his tongue, his hands gripping my butt, wandering over my body, stirring heat. I let out a moan, angry and fearful, as my hunger for him grew.
As he broke away, holding me by the back of the head, forcing me to look him in the eye, my cheeks grew hot as I tried to stanch the tears aching to flow.
“Damn you . . . damn you. I hate you. I hate your touch and your icy hands. If I could, I’d stake you right here.” I knew I was playing on dangerous ground, but I couldn’t help it.
But Lannan merely laughed. “I like it when you resist. I want you even more when you try to squirm away. It thrills me to know you’ve creamed your panties when you don’t want to come. Anticipation is so good for the soul. I promise you this, Cicely: Next bloodletting, I’m going to fuck you so hard and long with my fangs that you’ll beg for my cock. I’m going to have you down on your knees begging me to ream your wet little pussy.”>Now that I thought about it, Geoffrey reminded me of a vampire version of Kaylin, only more seductive and dangerous. According to history, he’d been some sort of warlord during the Xiongnu period, in a region that would later become Mongolia.
I nodded and slipped into the seat opposite him. Leo and Rhiannon sat on my right. Just then, the door opened again and Regina and Lannan Altos sauntered in. Well, Lannan sauntered. Regina’s heels clipped on the hardwood floor at a quick, steady pace. Twins and lovers, they were dangerous and both of them were freakshows, though Regina had more restraint than her brother. Regina was the Emissary to the Crimson Court, and she was top dog around here.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Geoffrey held up one hand and I quickly shut up. When the Vein Lords order silence, obey.
“We are waiting on Lainule; save your words for when she arrives.”
And so we sat in silence for another moment until the door opened again and the Queen of Summer came gliding in. Even in the dim light, her brilliance shone against the others. Without thinking, I rose and knelt before her.
Lainule smiled down at me, then leaned down and cupped my chin in her hand. “Take your seat, Cicely.”
I silently obeyed.
Geoffrey cleared his throat. “Welcome, Your Majesty. My home is graced by the presence of the Queen of Rivers and Rushes—”
She waved his words away. The three of us stared. Nobody ever cut off Geoffrey, unless it was Regina. Or the Crimson Queen herself.
