Page 107
“That’s inconvenient when I’m trying to remember you concealed half the truth, especially while you’re naked.” She traced the raven on my chest. “I don’t need a promise about the rest of our lives. I need honesty while we learn whether this survives outside a sealed court.”
“I don’t know what happens after Adrian falls. I want you beside me when we find out, and I’ll never use the Crown or your blood to keep you there.”
“Keep doing that, and your reputation may survive the romance.”
“Sleep. You’re exhausted, and the court will still be waiting when we wake.”
“There’s the bossy vampire.”
She kissed the middle of my chest and rested her cheek there. I listened to her breathing slow while the fire burned lower.
The first command reached the blood cuffs less than a minute later.
Red pain closed around both wrists and ankles. My body went rigid against the mattress. Bryony woke as I tore myself away from her and rolled onto the floor.
“Stellan?”
“Stay on the bed.”
Adrian’s blood pushed into the restraints.
Bring the heir to the Crown.
My right hand locked around the bedframe. The command pulled at every muscle in my arm, trying to make me reach for Bryony. I forced my fingers deeper into the carved wood until it cracked.
She moved to the far side of the mattress without wasting time on an argument. “Tell me what he ordered.”
“He wants you at the Crown.”
The restraints burned brighter. My legs tried to stand. I drove one knee into the floor and kept the other foot flat, using my own weight against the command.
Bryony wrapped the sheet around herself and reached the door. “Can he make you take me?”
“He can make me try.” My jaw tightened as my hand released the broken bedframe. “Lock yourself in the bath.”
“And leave you fighting this alone?”
“Bryony, move.”
She met my eyes, judged what she saw and went. The bath door shut behind her. The lock turned.
Without her in reach, Adrian’s command shifted towards the door. I caught the metal handle and held it closed from my side. Pain cut around my wrists as the blood cuffs fought to pull my arms apart.
“I’m not taking her anywhere,” I said.
Adrian couldn’t hear me. Harrowmere could.
White light filled the lock. The door became solid under my hand, sealed by the court rather than a piece of metal I might tear free.
The command struck once more and failed.
Red light faded from the cuffs. My body released so suddenly that I dropped against the door.
The bath lock opened, but Bryony waited until I spoke.
“It’s over.”
She came out with the sheet knotted over one shoulder and anger on her face. “How much control did he have?”
