Page 31 of Cruel Vampire King

“Funny. Because I would do anything you asked for if it meant getting ayesfrom you,” I answered. “Not that I’m surprised. What’s one human girl when you could have any female in your kingdom? You’ll find another naïve eighteen-year-old to seduce soon enough, I’m sure.”

“You think that’s all there is?”

“How can I think there’s more when you promise me anything I want, only to say no to my first request?” I challenged.

Luken’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile, but he didn’t answer.

I hoped he didn’t see the disappointment in my eyes. “Send me back. I’ll finish out the Blood Trials with the rest of them.”

I started to push off the door but he was back on me in an instant. His hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. His mouth dropped to my neck, sending fireworks sparking throughout my body. My hips rocked forward as though they had a mind of their own, wanting friction. I pressed myself against him, feeling the evidence of his arousal through our clothes.

“Are you sure?” he whispered huskily in my ear. “You want to stay. You want to be with me.”

I closed my eyes, my hands resting on his shoulders. This time, when I took a deep breath, I inhaled through my nose.I pulled his scent into me, letting it flood my senses. It was true. Part of me wanted to stay, regardless of the consequences. His kissing grew more intense, working his way down over my collarbone. With one hand, he tugged my bodice lower and kissed the tops of my breasts. They seemed to swell under his attentions.

And finally, my arousal grew so powerful as to be bordering on pain. At that moment, the training I’d put myself came back in an instant. My body tensed, expecting pain at any moment. The heat beneath my skin cooled.

“I’m more than sure,” I said, dropping my hands to my sides. I went utterly still, and so did he. “Send me back.”

Luken moved back. His hands remained where they were on my body, but something shifted in his eyes. His expression darkened, and he dropped his hands.

“Go put your clothes back on, then,” he said coldly. “I’ll have Marissa return you to the forest.”

I lifted my chin and skirted around him, heading to the bathing room. Surprise lingered in my chest, tightening it. But I didn’t turn back. I didn’t want him to see the disappointment in my eyes. Because I did feel disappointed. Some stupid part of me still thought he was my prince charming who would move mountains for me.

So stupid. I was so very, very stupid.

Chapter 12

Marissa left me at the spring and gave me instructions on how to get back to camp. I washed the smell of vampires and soap off my face and hands, then rubbed a bit of dirt in my hair to disguise the oils left in it. My body ached, exhausted from the long trek and the equally long night. I stumbled back to camp just as dawn’s rosy arms started to reach across the sky. Great. Another punishing day lay ahead of me.

Frustration clawed at my chest. I was frustrated that I was still disappointed, that there was this sharp pain in my chest when I thought of how Luken had looked at me when he told me I wasn’t worth changing the rules of the Blood Trials, just this once.

“Hey,” I called as I entered camp.

Thessa sprang to her feet. “Elara! Where were you? We were so worried.”

I gave her a stiff smile, then glanced at Greyson. So he’d returned during the night. “I woke up last night, and Greyson wasn’t around. I went looking for him and found a spring. Got turned around, though, and had to wait for the light to make my way back.”

Ysara turned to Greyson. “Where’d you go?”

His expression didn’t change, still looking vaguely amused. With a shrug, he tied his hair back behind his head. “Must have when I had to take that massive shit.”

“Gross!” Ysara wrinkled her nose. “I thought elves were supposed to be elegant and glamorous.”

“Guess that’s why they kicked me out,” he quipped.

Ysara laughed and the moment of suspicion passed. We had nothing left to pack, so we were all ready to get moving quickly. I led the way back toward the spring, hoping nobody would question me too deeply on the events of last night. I was so tired I might end up spilling more than I should. I doubted they’d look kindly on me if they knew I’d been at a party last night.

We emerged to the small clearing to find…

My heart seized. A half-dozen elves stood at the edges of the spring. They were all armed with swords, wearing black armor, though none of them wore helmets. My mind flashed to the mercenaries four years that burned down the inn. I hadn’t seen their faces that night but I knew this armor. Blood rushed in my ears. He’d sent them after me again. Why? Was he going to have them drag me back to the palace after sending me back here? Or were they here to kill me this time?

“What—?” Thess started, sounding bewildered.

The elves sprang at us without a word. Greyson grabbed my arm and dragged me back as a sword slashed through the air where I stood. Thessa was not so lucky. She screamed as a blade cut through her chest. Blood splattered through the air and she fell as though she was in slow motion. The elf laughed.

Laughed.

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