Page 109 of The Reign of Blood

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CASSIAN

“Where are you going?”

As far away from your nosey ass as possible.

“It’s none of your business,” I grumble instead, avoiding his gaze, but I can hear him tapping his finger on his chin as his eyes bore into the side of my head.

“Which means it has something to do with Adrianna,” he declares, and I catch him pursing his lips out of the corner of my eyes.

Who knew the asshole vampire had a soft spot deep,deepdown somewhere, and more than that, who knew it would make its appearance for a fae girl? Not just a girl, a princess. It’s fitting for him, really.

“I said it’s none of your business,” I repeat, tugging on my leather jacket.

“Does it have something to do with her crying at the castle?” he asks, folding his arms over his chest.He caught that, huh?“Actually, what do you know about that?” he pushes, walking around me so I can no longer avoid his gaze.

“Nothing,” I murmur, only partly lying as I sidestep him, gaze set on the door.

I reach for the handle, breath lodged in my throat, but before I can wrap my hand around it, he curls his fingers around my arm, forcing my attention to swing to him.

“You’re not going to hurt her or put her in danger.” It’s not a question. It’s a statement—no, a demand, one he wants me to follow.

“It’s not currently my intention,” I manage, giving him a pointed look that hopefully makes it clear that this conversation is done.

“Don’t try me, Cassian. Just because we haven’t officially claimed her doesn’t mean I don’t feel it in my veins,” he grinds out through clenched teeth, and I shake my head at him.

“Whatever,” I grunt, grabbing the handle and swinging the door open as his hold loosens.

“Cassian,” he warns, but I’m already gone before I have to deal with another word. The wind whips around me as I rush to the fae building. I slow as I reach the front door, taking a moment to push Raiden to the back of my mind so I can focus on tonight.

It’s easier said than done when he’s such a constant headache.

Stepping inside, a few fae startle when they see me, but once they realize I’m heading straight for the stairs, they relax. Not completely, not while I’m still in their space, but enough. Taking the steps slowly, I remember what tonight is about.

The last thing I want to do is step foot on the Kenner compound, but after seeing the pain radiate from her today and the sudden bubble of horror that parted her lips when I took her to the spot where my father attacked her, I couldn’t deny her.

There’s not much I can offer her, but this? I can give her this.

I don’t know what triggered her in her room, and I didn’t want to push, but I get the feeling that it’s what gave her the desire to see her mother. To understand? Maybe. I hope shedoesn’t have high hopes for a positive outcome. Nothing of the sort ever happens on the Kenner compound.

Reaching her floor, I’m standing in front of her door before I feel ready, but there’s nothing I can do about it when she swings it open a split second later.

She looks just like she did when I walked into Janie’s diner a few weeks ago. Her hair is pinned to her head and her face is void of makeup. She wears black combat pants and a white t-shirt held in place by a corset lined with daggers. Two more are clipped to her boots, and I am slightly impressed. Even with the black cloak that’s draped over her shoulders.

There’s no denying that danger could find us, and she’s prepared, but it’s my job to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“Ready?”

“Yeah,” she breathes, taking a deep breath as she nods, assuring herself as much as she is me.

She steps out into the hallway, rubbing her lips together nervously as her scent weaves around me.

Fuck.

Wiping a hand down my face, I turn for the stairs, needing a minute to fucking think before I slam her into the communal bathroom. Again.

Dammit.

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