Page 161 of Blood Curse

“Did it bring you?”

“I brought myself.”

His hand lifted, then stopped before touching me. “Do you want to stay?”

The entire court was listening. He asked anyway.

“Yes.” I put my hand in his. “Until I decide I don’t.”

His grip settled around mine. “Good.”

Mara reached us from the nearest table. “If the Crown gets a command out, we contain whoever it takes. We don’t punish them.”

“I remember,” I said.

“I know. They need to hear it again.” She raised her voice. “Nobody becomes the enemy because that thing steals their body. Help the person beside you or get clear. Those are both useful choices.”

The broad man in the brown coat looked at the open doors. “And leaving?”

“Also useful,” Mara said. “If the Crown lets you.”

He didn’t leave. Neither did anyone else.

Stellan’s thumb moved over my knuckles. “If you want out, say it once.”

“And you’ll carry me?”

“Only if you enjoy humiliating me in front of the court.”

“I’ll save it for a quieter evening.”

His eyes warmed for one brief second. Then the Crown burned hot against my scalp.

My lips parted.

I clamped them shut.

Pain drove into my jaw. My teeth ground together, but I kept my mouth closed until my eyes watered.

“Bryony,” Stellan said.

I shook my head. His grip stayed steady. He didn’t drag me away or reach for the Crown.

The pressure changed.

My mouth opened on a gasp.

The Crown took it.

“The woman at the first table will open one bottle.”

Every vampire froze.

The grey-braided woman nearest the first table reached for a black-wax bottle. Everyone else held position, watching her hand close around the neck.

She dragged it towards the cup.

“Pour it into the silver cup,” the Crown said with my voice.