Page 140

That shut me up.

The Crown waited inside the cracked circle with one point aimed at the blood on Stellan’s hip. He was right, which remained deeply inconvenient.

“Fine. The house can hold its own horrible jewellery.” I pushed the sword under the Crown, flipped it into the hollow under the throne and stepped back. “Stay there.”

Stone closed across the opening. A black point broke through before the gap sealed, then disappeared under the floor.

The throne shuddered hard enough to shake the floor.

I took Stellan’s hand. “Bedroom.”

He let me lead him through the side door. His steps stayed steady, but the dagger wound burned through the bond. By the time we reached the suite, blood had reached his trousers again.

The bedroom door opened before I touched it.

A tray from earlier still sat on the small table beside the bed. I’d forgotten the bread, cheese and water as soon as the first gate broke.

Stellan pointed at the tray. “Water and food before the bandage.”

“You’re the one bleeding.”

“And you’ve given me blood three times.”

I drank a full glass and ate half a piece of bread while he sat on the bed. The room stayed steady when I knelt between his knees.

“Satisfied?” I asked.

“With that part.” His gaze moved to the mattress. “The bed has been trying to lure you into it since you arrived.”

I looked at the enormous bed. “It may have a point.”

Stellan laughed, then pressed a hand to his side when the movement pulled at the cut.

“Sit still before your organs fall out.”

“The blade didn’t reach anything important.”

“I’m currently including you in that category.”

I untied the strip around his waist. Fresh blood ran as soon as the pressure lifted. The cut started under his ribs, crossed the hard lines of his stomach and stopped near his hip, close enough to make my body remember his hands.

Stellan watched my face. “You’re staring.”

“You’re half naked and bleeding. My options are limited.”

“Your pulse suggests you found one you like.”

I pressed the cleanest cloth to the wound. He sucked in a breath but kept one hand warm at the back of my neck.

“Read it again and I’ll push harder.”

“You’re threatening a wounded man while kneeling between his legs.”

Heat moved under my skin. “You’ve been stabbed. Behave accordingly.”

“Cut. There’s a difference.”

I leaned close enough to feel his breath. “Keep correcting me and I’ll find out how well vampires heal from pillows.”