Page 35 of Burn for Her

Malachi’s eyes narrowed and his lips thinned. Dorian’s blurry vision was still good enough to see the tic in his king’s jaw. “You think I should cage you?”

“I think you should use me. I’m already deteriorating. I can’t hunt on my own—I’ll likely hurt someone who doesn’t deserve it. Lock me in the Kill Box and have the hunters bring me anyone they find. I’ll kill on your behalf until I turn to ash.”

Malachi’s chin thrust out. “I’m not ready to lose you, boy.”

“It’s already done.”

“You won’t find her? You refuse fate’s offer?”

Dorian didn’t want to have this conversation again. “I won’t force her into this life, and I have no control left.”

“You had enough control to leave her and send for the jet, did you not?”

“And the act ate more of my strength.”

Malachi broke his gaze with the mirror and stared directly at Dorian. The piercing intensity of the Mad King’s glare almost made Dorian shrink back, but he wasn’t so easily spooked.

“You’re a miraculous vampire, Dorian. The battles you’ve fought. The nightmares you’ve lived. No other in this House would challenge you.”

Because they knew better than to try a bastard like him. “They only respect me because you force them to.”

“You are like a son to me, Dorian.” Malachi ran a rough finger down Dorian’s jawline and he fought the urge to not jerk away from the touch. Malachi’s eyes hardened as he said, “I’ll not let you go easily. And the respect you have was earned by your fealty to this House. You are willing to give the last drop of yourself to protect those in my territory. That is why they respect you.”

“That is why they fear me.”

“You still have much to learn, boy.”

“Lock me up,” Dorian begged again. “Let me be of service to you the only way I know how.”

Malachi went back to staring at the mirror and didn’t say anything for a few heartbeats. Dorian was just about to stand and walk away when the king grumbled, “Monsters are capable of love. Or are you saying I do not deserve it?”

What? Dorian stiffened.

“I know what they say about me,” Malachi’s tone was laced with venom. “I know what I did to get the crown I wear. I know still, what I’d do to keep my seat, even if I’m the only one left standing when I’m through.”

“You’d never hurt your people, Malachi.”

“You don’t know what I would or wouldn’t do, Dorian. Monsters are unpredictable.” He ran a thumb across his mouth, thoughtfully. “One can love a monster… and it can love back… but it’s still a fucking animal, Dorian. We are all made this way, some are just better at hiding their true nature, where you and I live our truths openly and without regret, son.”

Dorian shriveled a little. “You’re a far better father to me than mine ever was.”

“He should have never gotten as far as he had,” Malachi said softly. “For that, I will forever be sorry.”

It wasn’t your fault. That’s what Dorian wanted to say, but it would have been a waste of breath. Malachi always took blame for things that made no sense.

“Had he not abused and treated you so poorly, perhaps you’d not be so willing to sacrifice yourself for the one you’ll never get a chance to love.”

Dorian shook his head, unable to argue with that logic but not willing to accept it either. “She deserves better than me, sire. I can’t bond a woman to me, knowing what I am. What I’m capable of.”

“How do you know she’s not the same as you?” Again, his eyes were deadlocked on the mirror, even though it was obvious the king only saw his own reflection staring back at him. “If she’s your fated mate there must be a purity to her soul that will cleanse yours, and vice versa. No alakhai is without power of their own. Even if that power is to bring out the best of the beast they’re bound to.”

Dorian bit his lip and began to second guess himself. Then he shook it off because taking advice from a mad vampire wasn’t going to solve anything.

“Here.” Malachi brought his arm up and bit the inside of his wrist, tearing his skin and piercing his vein. Blood poured all over his lap and spilled to the floor as he held his wrist out for Dorian. “Drink from me.”

He didn’t want to. No one fed from the king. Ever. But he couldn’t reject the offer, either. Fuck!

“Now,” Malachi growled. “Before I lose even more of my patience with you.”

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