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I study the stone ceiling, wondering how I came to this point in my life. Back home, I’d always felt somewhat adrift with the way I grew up. Working at the call center and taking care of Edgar gave me purpose; I was doing good, but there wasn’t much outside of that. The few friends I had were all settling down and having kids.
I was alone. I ached to be loved. I dreamed about a romance that would sweep me off my feet and make my heart skip beats. I pined after the princes in my books who would do anything for their chosen. I wished I were a princess—wait.
Maybe he needs a kiss!
I’m not an actual Disney princess. He is a prince, though, and there are more than a few movies and tales that require true love’s kiss. I don’t know that I love Orcus, but I am his mate. I sit up and lean over him, carefully placing my palm on the side of his warm and bruised cheek.
Even beaten, Orcus is strikingly handsome.
Slowly, I bring my lips to meet his, kissing him before eagerly pulling back and searching his face. Nothing.
“What are ya doin’ diddling a sleeping ogre, Princess?”
Startling at the trull’s voice, I whip my head around. Harald’s face is scrunched in disgust and he gives me a judging once over, making me feel like an absolute creep for trying the kiss.
I scowl. “I’m not diddling.”
“That right there is a weird kink.”
“Says the trull who pets his skins,” I counter with an arched eyebrow.
“My skins are my prizes,” he retorts. “They’re precious.”
“If you say so.” I shake my head and turn back to Orcus. “See what I have to deal with? I need you to wake up.” I settle back on the mattress and release a puff of air. “I’m tired of being alone.”
TWENTY-FIVE
Trulls and their threats
ORCUS
I wake up cradling Daisy. Her cheek is pressed into my arm, smooshing the side of her face, and her mouth is slightly parted. With her leg tossed over mine, every inch of her body caresses me. It dulls the pain radiating in my side to see this fragile lady boldly claiming me in front of others, even if we’re only in the medical wing.
The absolute agony riddling my body gave it away more than the bed and familiar ceiling gave away our location. That and the fact that I’m alive. Flashes of the battle play out in my mind. We’d been evacuating a village of centaurs near the border when the vamps attacked. None of our scouts realized they were already within our territory. Their attention had been focused outward, but the attack came from within.
Three fucking vampires.
I’m lucky I’m alive.
Daisy shifts and releases a tiny puff of air that tickles my side. I gaze down at her, brushing the fiery strands of hair away from her face. Her delicate lips beg for a kiss. Shifting, I attempt to do that but sharp, breath stealing pain lances through me. I grunt and collapse back onto the bed with a moan.
“AH!” Daisy shouts as she slips off the side of the mattress onto the stone floor. “Ow. My ass,” she groans.
“Is very beautiful, little flower.”
She gasps and scrambles off the floor. “Orcus?” Scanning me with wide eyes, she clutches her chest.
I nod. “Daisy.”
“If you weren’t in a hospital, I’d smother you! What were you thinking taking on three vampires all by yourself?” She sits at my side and glares down at me. “Don’t answer that, I already know. You were trying to save people.”
“What else was I supposed to do?”
“Oh, I don’t know, run with everyone else?” She fists the sheet on my bed in her hands.
“They would’ve caught up.” I reach up and cup her face. “I couldn’t let them die.”
Her eyes bounce between mine, and the little bit of anger in her gaze fades and she releases a resigned sigh. “I know, big guy. I know.” She leans toward me then winces. “Ow. Has the king ever considered carpet? It’s a lot more forgiving if you fall on your ass.”
