Page 94 of Blood Curse

“Because they obeyed?”

“Because you didn’t need them to.”

The answer struck deeper than praise should have.

She set the bottles on the table and put her hands on my chest. “I want the man who can walk into that mess and know what to do. I don’t want you obedient.”

“You seemed to enjoy giving me instructions upstairs.”

“Those were excellent suggestions.”

“They were very specific.”

“And you followed them beautifully.”

I caught her waist. “Careful.”

Her smile warmed. “There he is.”

I kissed her until her mouth opened under mine. Fuck, I wanted more. The cellar held enough blood to sharpen every part of me, but her scent cut across it.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs. I let her go before Mara could accuse us of contaminating the stock.

The dark-haired newcomer appeared instead. He stopped at the last step.

“Blood King.”

The title still felt too large. “What is it?”

“The west wing accepts your rules. If one of us breaks them, the rest will help remove them.”

“You don’t owe me enforcement.”

“We owe the household our restraint.” He glanced at Bryony. “That choice is ours.”

The Crown gave him nothing. His shoulders stayed loose. His hands remained at his sides.

“Thank you,” I said.

He nodded and went back upstairs.

Bryony watched the empty stairwell. “He meant it.”

“Yes.”

“So did you.”

“About which part?”

“All of it.”

The Crown clicked softly against her hair.

Bryony went still.

Her hands fell from my chest. Her eyes stayed on mine, wide and aware, while her mouth curved into a smile she hadn’t chosen.

“My Blood King,” she said.