Page 68 of Hunt Me

“She was weak, Ezra.” The advisor gasped behind him. “I do not wish to speak ill of the dead. It’s simply a fact. Anastasia was weak.”

Ezra’s footsteps fell behind him, coming to a stop. “I will ask this one question, and then I’ll take whatever you claim as facts. I will not judge or question you on your response—simply accept them as truths.”

“Very well.”

“How do you know you feel romantic love for her and not simply an infatuation?”

“Because I’d die for her.”

Ezra’s shoulders sagged. He had prayed Luka’s answer would be different. The vampire king was irrevocably in love with the huntress. “I accept your claim as truth.”

“Thank you,” Luka whispered.

***

“Are you demented?” Matilda grabbed Luka’s shoulders and shook him while she waited for his response. Moments ago, after an hour of flight, they had touched down in Garden Ridge, located at the southern tip of the continent. Back in Night Falls, the inhabitants shivered and huddled around the fire to stay warm; in Garden Ridge, it was like springtime—sun, flowers, a light breeze, and warm lakes.

“I’m with you, so I must be.”

She pouted at his response but refused to let the brooding vampire get the best of her. “You have to demand Garden Ridge back from Ezra.”

“A deal is a deal.”

“I am not worth this!” she exclaimed, sweeping her arm over the land. “You could’ve confined me to our quarters or the dungeon if you wanted to keep me safe.”

“It would never work. You’d escape or guilt me into letting you free. You simply cannot be contained.”

A smirk teased the corner of her lips. “You may be sharper than I thought. How is the hunting here?” she asked, itching to utilize her bow strapped to her back. Her injuries had healed quicker than expected, thanks to the hybrid blood flowing through her.

“Plentiful.”

“Wonderful. I shall return before nightfall.”

“You will not,” he said, grabbing her by the back of her cloak.

“Why not? You said Garden Ridge is completely secluded and safe.”

“‘Tis true, but you will not be hunting without me. We will tour the cottage, settle in, change into attire more suitable for the warm weather, and then…” Luka trailed off when Matilda shot a turkey from 50 yards away. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”

“Oh, my gods. I think I love being pregnant.”

He raised a brow at her declaration. “And why is that?”

“Because it isn’t possible I would’ve been able to see that far if it wasn’t for the baby.”

“You wish to be with the child all the time? That can be arranged.”

“Always the lecherous one, aye?”

“I aim to please.”

“Which reminds me,” she purred, crowding the vampire’s personal space. He had no complaints. It was precisely where he wanted her… forever. “A bloodsucker vowed me five hours of pleasure.”

Luka chuckled and ran a finger down the scar of past battles down her cheek.

“I promised you five hours, but I never indicated it would be pleasurable.”

“You are correct. You did not. How presumptuous of me.” His eyes narrowed, knowing his conniving queen was up to something. “Will you retrieve my game? I’d do it myself, but…” She paused to place a hand over her belly.