Page 36 of Forever Touched

Afterward. There wasn’t going tobean afterward. I was leaving the first chance I got. Now that Everett wasn’t invading my personal space, I could think clearly again. Time was ticking, and I needed to get back to Faircroft Manor before something terrible happened.

With that in mind, I pushed aside my bout of insecurity and gestured for him to lead the way. The sooner I got this meeting overwith, the better. I just hoped I survived it.

As Everett opened the door, his brother greeted us on the other side. They both waited for me to join them, then took off down the hallway. Kade was nowhere to be found, but I didn’t have time to wonder where he was.

The brothers’ long strides ate up the marble floor, leaving my average-length legs struggling to catch up. I was barely able to focus on my surroundings, but the glimpses I saw took my breath away. Faircroft Manor and even my room at Dreamscape Lounge were decorated with lavish, expensive things, but this place was the epitome of wealth. The furniture was gold and encrusted in jewels. The walls were adorned with dozens of paintings that I recognized.Originalpaintings, which meant that they were priceless.

The more I saw, the more I realized how out of place I was. I didn’t belong in this world, and that fact had never been more glaringly clear. But there was nothing I could do other than hold my head high and hope the king didn’t kill me on sight.

If he only knew what I knew, I’d be dead in a heartbeat.

Minutes later, we reached the throne room on the second floor. A legitthroneroom. How bizarre and archaic that sounded. The witch community never had fancy houses for their elders to reside in. My father had been well off, but we’d lived rather simply in order to blend in with the human populace. The community boasted several schools for learning magic, and that was it. I’d been attending one of those schools up in Canada when my dad had received the call to unite with the other elders.

I would never forget his final words to me as he’d portalled into my school dorm room that night and awakened me from sleep to say,“You’re my bright shining star, Ada darling. Whatever happens after tonight, don’t let anyone dull that light. Shine brightly for all to see.”

Sudden sadness filled me. It had been six years since I lost him, but in some ways, it still felt like yesterday. If he could only see me now, surrounded by the creatures he’d so desperately tried to keep me safe from.

When Everett looked over his shoulder at me, I quickly wiped my expression clean. He frowned but faced forward without comment as we entered the throne room. I followed him and his brother, keeping my face free of emotion while I took in the massive room. It was mostly empty, with the opposite side sporting several tall windows. Light poured into the space, which wasn’t normal for a vampire dwelling.

This place wasn’t normal, though, and neither were the vampires who lived here. The sun couldn’t hurt Venturi. Not much could, actually. Silver could harm them, but only a direct hit to the heart could kill them. That and decapitation. Only vampires were strong enough to pull each other’s heads off, though.

Remembering how Everett had ripped his friend’s head off, I struggled to stay focused. This was a violent world, and I was about to meet its leader. I spotted him at the far end, sitting on a regal throne perched on a dais. The first thing that struck me was how young he looked, barely older than his sons. Age hadn’t lined his face, a face that looked strikingly similar to his children’s.

He was sitting on his throne rather casually, with one long leg crossed over the other and an elbow propped on a golden armrest. He wore his medium-length hair loosely swept back, and his black suit looked tailor-made to fit his lean body.

“Ah, my sons. Come in, come in,” he said, the smooth words rich with authority. He was used to being obeyed, that much was clear. “And what is it that you’ve brought me today? Step forward, young lady. Don’t be shy.”

Shy? Did he think I wastryingto hide behind his sons? I couldn’t help it if they were so huge.

Slightly annoyed by the label he’d so readily placed on me, I shouldered my way past the brothers. Everett immediately grabbed my arm to haul me back.

“Stop.”

The command sliced through the air like a whip. We all froze in our tracks to look up at the king.

“Let her go, son. Let her approach.”

It was Loch who spoke next. “Father,” he started, sliding forward a step as if to shield me.

The king waved a hand dismissively. “No. She had the guts to step forward, so let her.”

Uh. Had I accidentally challenged him or something? My time with vampires hadn’t exactly taught me proper royal etiquette.

Everett slowly released me, but I could practically feel his unease. Which didn’t exactly boost my confidence. Still, I was used to facing vampires who saw me as nothing but a bug to be squashed. If the king wanted to rattle me, he’d have to try a little harder.

Straightening my spine, I pulled away from Everett to approach his father. By habit, I put a little sultry swagger in my step, and the king’s eyes brightened with amusement. Interesting. I’d heard about his human harem. He collected wives like some men collected cars. I’d anticipated at least alittlelust in his eyes.

When I was a handful of yards away, he uncrossed his legs and set both feet on the dais. I took that as my cue to stop, so I did, staring up at him expectantly. He met my stare with growing amusement, which annoyed me further. Did he want me to dance around his dais like a court jester? I would if he commanded me to, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

Not knowing what else to do, I dipped down in a graceful curtsy and murmured, “Your Majesty.”

When I straightened once more, he was inches from my face, grinning like a fiend.

11

ADALYN

Despite my resolve not to let him fluster me, having the vampire king inches from my face was terrifying.

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