Page 36 of Lifeblood

Maria pulled back and looked me straight in the eyes. “That you’re the last lifeblood? I completely understand why you didn’t. Don’t worry about that. You’re still the same Ava I know and care for, and you saved my life.”

My lips pressed together. I hadn’t saved her from the kings, as we’d expected, but from a demon witch much more powerful than my kings. “I’d do it again.”

Maria smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek, too. “I sincerely hope you don’t have to.” Then she laughed. And I joined her.

“Here.” I pulled her back to the bed and we sat. “So you’ll be safe in the Court of Brimstone?”

“Supposedly,” she said. “It’s got to be safer than London, anyway. Even the other supernaturals are up in arms about a lifeblood still walking around.”

I was afraid of that. It was clear the Demon Courts weren’t uniformly happy about it. But the other supernaturals—supernaturals who could benefit from my immortality-giving blood just as well as the demon kings—would no doubt be eager to have me, too. I wondered if the demonic treaty with the humans would be enough to hold the supernaturals off from attacking, too. Surely, they didn’t want to go to war with the Demon Courts.

I squeezed Maria’s hand. “Well, then I’m happy you’re safe there. And so happy you’re here despite the danger. I was afraid I’d never see you again.”

“Me too,” she said, then she grinned widely. Knowingly. “Thankfully, at least one of the kings seems to care about you very much.”

“Surprising even me, I assure you,” I said dryly.

Maria inclined her head. “I’d ask if you’re really that surprised, but I remember all we’ve ever talked about regarding them. I was shocked by their kindness as well. That you’re safe, too.”

“Relatively,” I admitted.

She nodded. “Yeah.” There was nothing more to be said about that. Maria didn’t have magic, so it wasn’t like she could help defend me. And my magic wouldn’t keep hordes of enemies at bay.

This was the safest place for me right now. With the demon kings. My mates. And Maria and her family would be safe in the Court of Brimstone. Hopefully.

At least, that wasn’t one of the two courts who’d had defectors attack.

Yet.

I shoved the thought down for now. “Do you know how long you’re here for?”

“Not long.” She squeezed my hand again before casting a look at the chamber’s door. “I’m sure they’ll want you back soon. So let’s make the most of it.” Then she smiled like a school girl. “Tell me about the demon kings.”

I laughed because it was almost like we were back home talking about the men from her college. Almost like there wasn’t a huge conflict on the horizon.

Almost.

CHAPTER15

It took some wandering around after Maria had been taken from my chambers, and a whole lot of asking nicely, but finally, I managed to get a member of the palace staff to point me to Gareth’s chambers. And this time, I planned to use the door.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say hesitation nearly kept me from knocking at all. But I summoned courage and did so anyway. Lightly, though, just in case.

It wasn’t that I wasafraidof Gareth. Just… unsettled in some ways. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. But I also knew we’d absolutely gotten off on the wrong foot—and had kept rolling in it afterward. And then to have him be the last king to get a taste of my blood, to retrieve even just the slightest bit of his immortality back… I understood if he’d be less than happy to see me.

Why, then, had he brought Maria to me? I was grateful for it. Even more that he’d taken the extra steps to keep her and her family safe inside his court. I just didn’t understand.

Unless it really was that simple: He cared about the people I cared about. Or he cared that I did.

There was no answer to my knocking, but the staff had assured me he was inside, so I knocked again, louder this time. A shuffling sounded within and then, moments later, the door opened.

Seeing Gareth suddenlytherewith nothing between us sent my pulse immediately racing. The force of his powerful aura, the strength of our mate bond that’d only been growing stronger since we’d first met, slammed into me and stole my breath. I swallowed hard as our eyes met, his dark with burning embers in them that felt like they could burn through me to my soul.

My mouth dried. All of my confidence went away. It was like I was a virgin before him, all flustered and unsure, and all we were doing wasstandinghere. The doorway between us, open though it was, might as well have been an entire ocean.

“Lifeblood,” Gareth said in my silence. His voice rolled over me like thunder and it alone was enough to send excited shivers down my body. It was impossible to look at him and not remember our instant chemistry, the immediate need to submit to him on the park path the night before the lottery.

I inhaled sharply in hopes of staving off memories of that night. Of his warm, strong body pressed against mine. Of his fiery kiss. “Hi.”

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