Page 104 of Hunt Me

“Most likely, but again, an unrelated matter. How would you like to help me dress in my battle regalia?”

38

Shouts of the Dead

Luka smirked in the mirror at Matilda as he attached his royal cape above his armor. “You fret,” he spoke amusedly. She ceased chewing her bottom lip to glare at him.

“I fret not.”

“You fret,” he repeated. “Do you not have faith in your king?”

“Must I remind you who saved you from the wolves, my King?” she purred, running a hand across the expanse of his back until she successfully wedged herself between him and the mirror. He tipped her chin up and kissed her luscious lips, pulling away with a hungry sigh.

“We saved each other, my love.”

Matilda snorted. “Is that how you recall it?” she asked, running her hands up and down his breastplate beneath the fur-lined cape.

“If it weren’t for my—”

“Be silent and kiss your queen.”

“Kiss? Is that all? Should I not be entitled to more?”

“There is more when you return victorious.”

“I prefer to take my spoils of war now,” he replied, gripping her curls. He tilted her head to the side and eased his fangs into the crook between her neck and shoulder. He groaned appreciatively as her saccharine blood filled his mouth. Matilda’s body became malleable in his hold, easily molding against him. He released her once he had his fill and smoothed his tongue over his bite marks. “I can taste your fear in your blood,” he mumbled.

“Again… you are mistaken,” she exhaled breathlessly, placing his hand on her stomach and her forehead against his.

“War makes him excitable.”

“War makes her excitable,” she corrected before reaching for his lips again for a brief kiss. “I apologize, but we must part, my King.”

“Oh?” he asked, quirking a brow.

“Aye. I must prepare myself for battle,” she said confidently, releasing herself from his hold. “Obviously, I will not be capable of hand-to-hand combat, but I can provide excellent support from above in the turrets.”

“You, my beloved, must have the most acute case of brain rot that has ever been witnessed if you believe I will allow you to take part in this haphazard insurrection. You’ll be in the Great Hall with your lady-in-waiting and Ezra.”

Matilda sighed disappointedly. “I figured as much but thought I could persuade you with my womanly guiles.”

“You possess no guiles,” he mocked, leading her out of their private quarter.

“We shall see what you think of my guiles if you return.”

“When I return,” he said, joining Ezra and Belzara, who waited outside their room. She is all yours,” he said, performing the handoff.

“Words I never wish to hear,” Ezra mumbled. The man changed his tune when the king fixed him with a stern glare. “Although… it is my sworn honor and duty to protect her at all costs.”

“See that you do,” Luka said.

He turned to Matilda, stroked her cheek lovingly, whispered that he loved her, and left to put the madness outside their castle walls to rest and extinguish another lineage of noble vampires.

***

Their army approached House Bryne’s army, led by their general, General Casimir. The two armies halted a safe distance away from each other.

“King Alesi, I am staggered to see you on the battlefield. I assumed you would be too busy lying with your human whore,” Casimir spat.