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She swallowed thickly. “You know nothing about me.”
“You and I are far more alike than you want to admit.”
“You’re delusional.” She paced closer, her lips inches from mine. “If you must know, I’m happy with him. Astor accepts me for who I am. He owns who he is, the bad and the good.”
“If you’re so happy, why are you still standing here with your hand on my chest?” I asked, moving closer. She moved her hand off me, and I noticed her heart pick up speed. “We both know you’ll tire of him.”
“Why must you always be so cruel? You used to have dignity.”
My fingers curled into fists. “I will kill anyone who gets in my way. He was out here with a soul vampire, and there have been rumors of him holding private meetings. It’s better to kill a problem at its root before it blossoms.”
She shook her head, bobbing her blonde curls. “You’re mistaken. Astor has honor. He’s not like you.”
“I’d hope not.” I grabbed her wrist, tugging her close. “He’s a pathetic rat. Look at him. You think he can protect you?”
She ran a thumb over her lips. “It’s a good thing I don’t need protecting.”
“We both know that’s not true.”
Her pupils dilated under the powdered, white light from the stars and moon. “I’m taking him inside. Don’t offer to help, I don’t need it.”
I grinned. “Oh, I know you don’t. It’s just one of the things I enjoy about you.”
She raised an arched brow. “Touch him again, and I’ll tear your throat out.” She showed me her pointed, painted nails, and tilted her head.
“That’s a tempting offer. I’d love to see you try.” Challenge burned in her eyes. Astor slowly came around, choking out blood as he healed. “Looks like he can walk himself back inside. Goodnight, Gwen.”
***
The following day, Penelope sauntered into my room. I let out an irritated sigh. “Go away. I’m busy.”
She ran her hands through her ringlets. “That’s no way to speak to your wife.”
I rolled my eyes up. “You’re not my wife.”
“Yet,” she added, smiling brightly. “We should share a bed,” she offered, her voice sinking into a whisper. “You can move into my room now we’re to be wed.” She looked around my chambers. “It’s much bigger than this one.”
“I would rather hand myself over to the soul vamps.”
She rolled her expressive, brown eyes. “Is this just because I slept with Kalon? He’s not even your real dad.”
I put down the book I’d been reading. “Maybe I’m just not that into you.”
She huffed out a breath. “Is this about that bitch princess? You need to get over it. She’s married and you’re about to be.”
Her voice ran through me like nails scraping against a chalkboard. She placed her hand on her hip, her eyes wide with condescension. She hadn’t even reached her mid-twenties yet and she spoke to me of maturity? “What can I say to end this conversation?”
“What are you reading?” she asked, changing the subject. “A war book?”
I moved it across the table. Learning the art of war, the strategies of the winning side and mistakes from the ones who lost, was always a hobby of mine. Now, it was more than that. As a ruler, I had to know how to counter attacks. The world was cruel, and to survive it, I had to be worse than the darkest of them. “If you won’t leave, I will.” Pushing my hands into my pockets, I sped out of the room before she could say another word.
I headed to Adrian’s room, which was only a rush down the end of the corridor. Slamming three resounding knocks onto the wood, I looked over at the portraits on the walls. I’d been here when most had been painted.
The door swung open, and Adrian stood, suited as always, holding a glass of scotch. “Good, you’re here. We have new recruits.”
I stepped inside. “The ones we discussed?”
“Yes.” He hesitated. “Why do you want a mortal in our club again?”
