Chapter 19

“ F ucking stupid fucking bloody thing!” Lacing up a corset was impossible solo. These things were a two-person job, and I was beginning to get sweaty trying to accomplish it alone. “Stupid dress.” I took a deep breath and contorted my body to try again. The stays slipped from my grasp. “Argh! You know what? Fuck you. I’m wearing my pants.” I reached back to tear off the corset, but cool fingers gripped my angry hands.

“Allow me,” Ezekiel said.

A shiver ran over my skin. “Don’t you knock?”

“Knock at my own bedchamber door?” His fingers grazed my nape as he moved tendrils of hair over my shoulder. “I hardly think that’s required.”

I gritted my teeth as his scent filled my nose, threatening to soften me. “It’s mine at night. We agreed.”

He began to lace the stays. “I agreed that you could sleep here at night, not that it was your room.”

“Whatever, just…hurry up.” Every touch was like fingers of heat wrapping around my torso and brushing the underside of my breast.

“Almost done.” He tugged at the stays.

“Easy! I need to be able to draw a breath.”

My nape prickled, and a moment later, his cool cheek brushed my jaw. “Maybe I want you breathless in my presence.”

A fresh shiver ran down my neck and over my collarbones, and I locked my knees to stop myself from leaning into his touch. “Yes, well, I don’t care what you want.”

He chuckled, low and growly. “Liar.” He turned his head so that the tip of his nose brushed the spot just beneath my ear.

My stomach flipped hard, and I made to pull away, but he snagged me around the waist, holding me fast against him.

Panic burst in my chest. “What are you doing?”

“Tormenting myself.” He inhaled deeply and then licked my throat.

“Ah…” My eyes fluttered closed, head falling back against his shoulder.

He sucked on my pulse, teeth grazing my sensitized skin. “Stop…” My voice was breathless and weak. “Ezekiel…you can’t feed from me. My amulet…”

The nip of his teeth stole my protest, and the rough lave of his tongue sent lava racing through my blood down to my pussy, where it spread, pulsing quick and eager. He cupped my breast and squeezed, drawing a whimper up my throat. “Please…” What was I doing? “No…”

“Please?” He rubbed his cheeks against my neck, my jaw, my shoulder. “No?” He cupped me through my petticoats, fingers pressing down on my pussy and circling until I was moaning and pushing against his hand, begging for more. “What do you mean, truly?” He panted against me, his mouth on my neck once more, hot and hungry, trailing soft suckling kisses up and down the column of my throat.

Oh God, I wanted this. I needed it. Harder. I covered his hand with mine, pushing him against me and rolling my hips. Oh…Oh God, I was going to come. I was?—

He released me abruptly.

My knees gave way, and I staggered, grabbing the bedpost to steady myself.

“Well, that was fun,” he drawled.

Heat slapped my cheeks, and a fist squeezed my lungs. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“I could ask you the same thing, little Silver. For someone who frequently professes her disgust of me, you seem to thrive on my touch.”

I pulled myself to my feet and turned to face him. “Get out.” I hated that my voice shook. He took a step toward me, and I took several back. “Please.”

“Get dressed. You have five minutes.”

He left the room, closing the door softly behind him, and I sagged onto the bed, hand on my racing heart.

He disgusted me. I hated him. But I wanted him, and that conundrum would have to be a tomorrow problem.

I’d seen Ezekiel dressed in old-fashioned formal wear before, so I didn’t expect to be affected by how dashing he looked. His dark hair gleamed in the candlelight, artfully tousled and falling across his forehead, making him look like a debonair rascal, and the deep-navy waistcoat and crimson cravat put a little color in his alabaster cheeks.

How easily he slipped into the noble facade, but the burnished gold of his irises warned of the predator lurking within. Reminding me of his hunger, so when they flared at the sight of me in my dress that, in my opinion, emphasized the decolletage a little too much, it was easy to tell myself he craved my blood and nothing more. I was a particularly tasty vintage, that’s all.

But what was my excuse for drinking him in?

Random thoughts scrolled through my mind as he led me through the maze of corridors toward the dining hall. I should have brought my sword. Should have insisted on it. But Ezekiel had been firm on the no weapons at the table rule.

Never mind the fact that they’d all have their fangs with them.

I’m sure I’d find something to stab with if needed, though. There’d be cutlery available.

“Relax, little Silver.” Ezekiel patted my hand, and I realized I was gripping his arm a little tightly. “You’re safe with me. My scent is on you and will mask the delicious aroma of your blood.”

Wait, was that why he’d touched me up earlier? “It’s not me I’m worried about.”

“No one here would dare attack me,” Ezekiel said. “Blood oaths prevent them from doing so, which is why whoever is trying to subdue me is using hired hands. And hired hands, if found, can be bargained with and bought out.”

The corridor opened onto a gray stone chamber with wooden benches against the walls and a vaulted arch on the other side. The sound of conversation and the aroma of food drifted out to greet us.

“Deep breath, Miss Lighthart,” Ezekiel said, his gaze dropping to my bosom. “But maybe not too deep.”

“Shut up.”

He chuckled softly as he swept me into a magnificent dining room.

The high ceiling and vaulted windows created an illusion of space. Huge paintings set in ornate frames decorated the walls, and twin chandeliers hosting real candles hung from the beams above.

The table in the center of the room could seat at least thirty, but there were only eight people at it. I recognized Lady Sangera of House of Blessed and her son Albert, Christian Constrange from the House of Spirit, and Laudon Umbren, Ezekiel’s close friend and head of the House of Shadows. But the other four were unfamiliar to me. There was at least one empty seat between each person.

Obviously a deliberate seating plan.

They stood to greet Ezekiel and bowed their heads in deference as Banbury appeared out of the shadows to lead us to the head of the table. He pulled out Ezekiel’s chair for him, but instead of sitting down, Ezekiel stepped around the table to draw out a seat for me.

Right next to him.

My surprise must have shown on my face because his eyebrow flicked up slightly as if to say, ‘I can be a gentleman when I choose to be.’ I graciously bowed my head and took my spot.

“Miss Lighthart,” Ezekiel said. “Allow me to introduce you to our dinner companions. You’ve met Lady Sangera and her son Albert.” They dropped me a nod, which I returned. “Lord Constrange and Lord Black.” We did the polite nod thing. “They run the houses in Old Town, but we also have the dukes and duchesses of the outer territories with us tonight. Duke Lotheram and Duchess Grace govern Drakenore and Rotheram beyond the mountains.” The duke and duchess with their golden hair and high cheekbones looked like siblings with twin closed-lipped smiles that didn’t reach their piercing blue eyes. “And at the end of the table, we have Duke Darage, who governs several boroughs in New Town.”

Darage’s smile was sharkish and made my skin crawl. He was a stocky male, broad-shouldered with dark close-cropped hair and silver penny eyes that glinted dully in the lamp light. He gave me the creeps.

“I didn’t realize the Order made watchers in such pretty skin,” he said.

Yep, the guy was a creep. “You make it sound as if we come off a production line.”

“And it seems as if you lack the sense to simply accept a compliment.”

“Or maybe you lack the skill of offering a compliment.”

Darage bristled, about to retort, but Laudon cut in, loudly clearing his throat and clinking his glass with a spoon. “I’d like to make a toast to our liege, our king, Ezekiel. Long may he reign.”

“Long may he reign,” everyone echoed. Everyone except Darage.

I’d have to keep my eye on him.

Ezekiel lifted his empty glass to join the toast.

“Get the king some wine, you fool!” Christian admonished Banbury.

Ezekiel held up his hand. “No need. I have instructed my chamberlain that I will not be drinking tonight.”

Laudon’s face fell. “You don’t trust us.”

“Would you?” Ezekiel asked.

“I see we will be dispensing with the formality of etiquette, then?” Zafrina Sangera said.

“I think that’s best, don’t you?” Ezekiel replied dryly.

“Very well. In that case, may I be frank?”

“Please do.”

Her gaze flicked to me, and Ezekiel sighed. “You may speak freely in Miss Lighthart’s presence. Unlike the rest of you, I am certain that she is concerned only with my welfare.”

“Now hold on a second,” Laudon said. “How long have we been friends?”

“Forever,” Ezekiel said. “But I have been in slumber for the most part, and as you never fail to remind me, the world has changed, and I can only deduce that so have the people.”

“We meant no disrespect,” Zafrina said. “If you were with us consistently, then we would never have asked for the dissolution of oaths. But we cannot govern effectively when adhering to archaic rules.” She sounded sincere enough.

“Then we write new ones,” Christian said. “We can do that this year, and His Majesty can approve them.”

“Oh, pull your nose out of the king’s arse,” Albert said. “Any laws we pen now will be redundant in a few decades, and we’ll be in the same situation we’re in now.”

“Enough!” Laudon said. “We’ve discussed this, and we agreed to let His Majesty mull over our proposal. Can we not just enjoy a meal together?”

“I find I have little appetite for food tonight.” Albert turned up his nose.

“In that case, you will enjoy my offering,” Christian said from down the table. “I have arranged a bonding feast for us tonight. It is an offering freely made.”

Zafrina sucked in a sharp breath while Laudon almost choked on his wine. Albert looked as confused as I felt, but the others exchanged shocked glances.

Beside me, Ezekiel was as still as stone.

“Fresh and clean and willing, the offering is ready for our consumption.” Christian stood and clapped his hands. The doors at the far end of the room opened, and four men carried in what looked like a stretcher…Wait, it wasn’t a stretcher; it was a huge silver tray with someone laid out on it.

I caught the spill of dark hair as they placed the tray on the far end of the table before sliding it up toward us and…Oh…Oh God.

Regina slept on the tray, her chest rising and falling evenly. They’d dressed her in a gauzy, white, see-through gown and surrounded her with crimson blooms so she looked like she was floating on a river of blood. Her skin was flushed and rosy. She looked beautiful.

Christian ran his thumb along her wrist, leaving a crimson line in his wake, where blood, thick and dark, welled.

A sigh filled the room, and all the vampires sat forward, mouths parted as they breathed in the scent.

My skin prickled.

“Christian…” Duke Lotheram said. “She smells delicious.”

Christian’s chest swelled with pride. “A special vintage the House of Spirit has been cultivating for generations. Offered freely tonight for us all to share.”

To share? My scalp crawled. “What’s going on?”

“Maybe your guest should leave the room for this,” Christian said, throwing a polite, almost apologetic smile my way.

I pushed my chair back and stood slowly. “What are you going to do to Regina?” I knew the answer, but I needed them to say it out loud. To admit that they were about to murder this poor woman. But it was Ezekiel who answered.

“Drain her.” His voice sounded oddly garbled, as if…as if he was speaking with his mouth full and…Oh…

His eyes were red, pure bloodred and fixed on Regina. He had a grip on the table, whether to haul himself up or keep himself anchored, I wasn’t too sure, but his white knuckles conveyed his dissonance.

“Ezekiel. Don’t.”

Christian sliced Regina’s other wrist, and Zafrina groaned, the sound almost sexual. The tension in the room spiked, and the ice pooling in my belly warred with the heat of adrenaline flooding my veins.

“Ezekiel…”

The vampire king’s gaze flicked my way for a moment, bloodred and inhuman before settling on the offering once more.

“House of Spirit offers this bond meal,” Christian announced, his voice echoing off the walls. “May we forever be united.”

“United,” everyone agreed, their voices lower. Bestial and hungry.

“The king will begin the feeding frenzy,” Christian said. He licked his lips. “Your Majesty?”

I looked to Ezekiel, hoping that he’d put a stop to this, but he was fixated on Regina, focused and locked on her like a cat tracking prey. His chair scraped and crashed to the floor, and he landed in a crouch on the table.

Everyone gasped then laughed, but I fell back, hand on my pounding chest, eyes heating. “No…”

He leaned in to sniff Regina then ran his hands over her body, hands that were now longer, taloned, misshapen, and monstrous.

“Yes…” Zafrina hissed. “Yes, my liege.”

Ezekiel licked the blood off Regina’s wrists, his chest vibrating in a low, sexual growl that shot straight to my core.

The duchess moaned and kneaded her breasts, and the duke grabbed her chin and forcefully turned her to him, claiming her lips in a crushing kiss.

What the fuck was happening? I had to do something. I had to stop this. I made a grab for my dinner knife, but a hand closed around my wrist.

“Don’t,” Banbury said in my ear. “We need to leave. Now.”

The air pressed down on me, saturated with danger, and my gut knotted in dread, because without Ezekiel on my side, I was powerless against these monsters. He couldn’t hurt me because my amulet protected me, but the others here would have no such qualms, and right now, with their king in the grip of bloodlust, they’d be able to drain me dry without intervention.

“Come!” Banbury began dragging me away from the table.

I’d seen something in Ezekiel over the last few days, glimmers of remorse that hinted at hope, but if I walked away now, then I’d be allowing him to drift from the shores of humanity.

I dug in my heels. “Ezekiel, please don’t do this.”

He raised his head, ravenous hunger etched into the lines of his face. His jaw was thicker, fangs visible in his parted mouth. He snarled, the sound an abrasion that turned my bowels to water.

He was gone.

Lost to me.

“Miss, please.” Banbury’s voice trembled because all eyes were on us now, intruders to this most intimate scene. A dinner party where Regina was the meal. The blessed mark on my arm burned, reminding me of my sworn duty to protect the innocent.

I locked gazes with Ezekiel. “Her name is Regina, and she doesn’t deserve to die. Let her go. Please.”

Maybe it was a trick of the light, or maybe it was my own stupid, desperate optimism, but for a moment, I thought he saw me. Saw past the haze of bloodlust and hunger. For a moment, I tricked myself into believing that he understood, but then he sank his fangs into Regina’s throat.

Her body bucked then went limp as he fed.

“NO!” I lunged at him, but Banbury grabbed me and wrestled me toward the door.

The others converged on the woman, grabbing at her arms and her legs, eager to taste her.

Ezekiel raised his head and roared, the sound like thunder. “Get away!”

The air vibrated, and some of the vampires backed away from the table. Darage, however, held his ground, silver eyes gleaming in defiance.

I shook off Banbury and rushed forward. “Ezekiel. Please.” He looked at me, the crimson hue in his eyes retreating a little. “Please don’t kill her. Please, let her go.”

Ezekiel licked his lips, chest heaving. “Orina…” He growled and shook his head as if trying to dislodge intrusive thoughts. His shoulders heaved, and then increment by increment he relaxed his crushing grip on the woman and slowly laid her on the table.

“What is this?” Darage demanded, looking from me to Ezekiel. “Does the king answer to a human woman now?” Ezekiel hissed at him, and the duke flinched but once again held his ground. “She is an offering for us all,” he growled. “You cannot monopolize her.”

Ezekiel’s chest heaved. “She is mine, and I command that she be unharmed and set free.”

Murmurs broke out amongst the nobles, but Darage spoke over them.

“Your word is law, but I challenge whether it should remain so.”

Laudon took a step forward. “Darage, what are you doing?”

“Our king hasn’t been of sound mind for centuries. He is unfit to rule.”

“Darage, you go too far,” Sangera said.

“No, it is you all that do not go far enough. You complain and you plot and yet you do not act. He is an anchor around our necks. He binds us in blood oaths that no longer hold merit.”

“Dissolving the oaths that unite us will tear our kingdom apart,” Ezekiel said. “I will not allow it!”

“Then I will take the choice from you,” Darage said. “You’re so set in the old ways, then we will use the old ways to settle this matter. A Pugnare ad Mortem .”

Everyone gasped.

Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You dare challenge me?”

“Yes, I dare. Are you afraid?”

Ezekiel’s lips curved in a chilling smile. “In that case, put your affairs in order, and we shall set a date for the Certamina pro throno. ”

“My affairs are in order,” Darage said. “We fight tomorrow night. Unless His Majesty needs time to gather his strength?” He arched a brow, not bothering to hide the sly slant of his lips, and everything suddenly made sense.

He’d orchestrated the specter attack on us and murdered the bloods somehow to weaken Ezekiel so he could play this hand. A Certamina pro throno . A fight for the throne. He couldn’t have known about the offering that would refuel Ezekiel, and now that Ezekiel had marked Regina off-limits, he was playing his hand.

If Ezekiel drained her, then he’d be strong enough, otherwise…No.

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?” Darage’s tone was openly mocking, and I waited for Ezekiel to knock the bastard on his ass with a word, but he didn’t.

Instead, he leapt off the table, picked up a napkin and dabbed at his bloodstained lips. “Tomorrow at sunset. I will feed the earth your blood.”

Darage’s eyes lit up with glee. “Your Majesty…” The words for now weren’t said, but they were implied in his tone.

“Dinner is over. Everyone, get out.”

The vampires filed out, but Darage lingered. “I hope you know that I will take no pleasure in draining you, Ezekiel.”

“And I would like you to know I will thoroughly enjoy ending you,” Ezekiel responded.

Darage let out a bark of laughter, his gaze flicking to me and the amulet around my neck. “Till tomorrow.”

The room was empty now except for Ezekiel, me, and Banbury.

“Secure my chamber, Banbury,” Ezekiel said.

Banbury ducked out quickly.

“Open the window,” he said to me.

“What?”

“The window, Miss Lighthart. Open it. Now.”

I ran to the window and yanked it open, falling back in time to avoid a rush of wings and a shadow as Godor flew inside.

“Take her.” Ezekiel indicated Regina. “Get her to safety.”

Godor’s expression gave nothing away as he gathered the woman carefully in his arms and strode back to the window.

“And Godor, have the others prepare the carriage and bring it to the east courtyard an hour before dawn.”

“Yes, Master.” His thighs bunched, and he launched himself out of the window and into the night, Regina cradled in his arms.

I closed the window and then slowly turned to face Ezekiel. “What just happened? What is this Certamina pro throno exactly?”

“We can talk once we’re back in our quarters.”

I wanted to press, but he looked wiped. Dark smudges beneath his eyes, and the pallor of his skin…gray…Had it been like that before?

“Come.” He led me to the exit from the room that I hadn’t seen anyone use yet. “I know of a secret shortcut.”