Page 74 of Blood Curse

“Eat if you’re hungry. Sleep if you need it. Stay out of the Night Hall and don’t bring weapons near these rooms.”

“The Crown called us here.”

Heat gathered around my scalp.

“I didn’t,” I said. “Until I understand what it wants from you, keep your choices your own.”

She studied me, then bowed her head without kneeling. “Understood.”

Mara took them away.

I finished the toast after the door closed.

“You gave orders,” Stellan said.

“Practical ones.”

“They listened.”

“They listened to you faster.”

“Old habit.”

“One we’ll have to break.”

“Agreed.”

I looked at the empty doorway. “Was that as strange as it felt?”

“Three ancient vampires watched you eat toast in my trousers.”

“So yes.”

“I found it reassuring.”

“Which part?”

“You kept eating.”

I looked at the last crust in my hand and finished it. “The queen’s first duty.”

“A demanding office.”

He covered my hand with his. My body warmed, but the feeling didn’t swallow everything else. I could want him and remain hungry. I could be tired and still choose where he touched me.

“Bed,” I said.

“Do you want me beside you?”

“Yes. Fully dressed.”

“A cruel condition.”

“You may recover.”

He banked the fire while I climbed under the covers. The Crown had gone quiet again, heavy against my head. I lay on my back because the points caught in the pillow if I turned too far.

Stellan stretched out beside me. He kept a careful gap between us until I took his hand and rested it over my stomach.