Page 125 of Blood Curse

His hand stayed at my back. “Parts of it.”

“The part where everyone asks you questions?”

“The part where I can answer.”

I understood the difference.

“I like seeing them want you,” I said. “I thought I might hate it.”

“Why?”

“Because Harrowmere already takes up too much space between us. A court full of people calling you king could’ve made that worse.”

“And has it?”

I watched Nessa point Colin towards a cupboard that might contain tools. Mara intercepted him and replaced the delicate hammer he’d chosen with something less likely to break in his hand.

“Not yet. They want answers and somewhere safe to sleep. You aren’t disappearing into the title when you give them those things.”

Stellan’s thumb moved against my jumper. “I don’t want Harrowmere to be the only life we have.”

I leaned into him. “Good. I want my work, my flat and nights that don’t involve holding court. I also want this place to be alive, and I like that these people chose you.”

“Those things can exist together.”

“They’ll have to.”

The Crown remained still. Nobody had bowed. Nobody had offered an oath. The room used Stellan’s title when it needed him and my name when it needed me. Royal blood sat inside my body without deciding what I wore, where I ate or which messages I answered.

For several minutes, it felt almost ordinary.

Then my pulse slowed.

The next beat didn’t come.

My fingers opened.

The cup slipped from my hand.

22

STELLAN

The cup struck the floor.

I caught Bryony before she followed it.

Her weight dropped against me. Her green eyes stayed open, but the focus had gone from them. I pressed one hand over her heart.

Nothing moved under my palm.

“Elias.”

He was already crossing the hall. “Put her down.”

I lowered her to the floor and kept my hand behind her head. Mara pushed the nearest vampires back.

“Give him room,” she said.