Page 47 of The Time Of Kings

Oh boy.

Here we go.

“Hmm, I am sure it isn’t as bad as it… wait, that’s it… you were a servant, weren’t you?” he asked, his gaze now off the daughter he didn’t know we had together and firmly back on me. Which meant he didn’t miss it when I flinched. Because Imay have not been a servant per say, but I had been one of his waitresses to serve drinks. Gods, but where had the time gone?

“I… I…” I didn’t know what to say other than to swallow hard, telling him all he needed to know.

“It is of little matter now,” he suddenly stated, transporting me back to those times where Draven was intent on me not working for him. It was right after we had first slept together, and I had tried to get ready for my first shift. Something he hadn’t liked the thought of.

Well, he would like the thought of where I was really from even less. Which was why I found myself shaking my head before telling him,

“The life someone has lived shapes the life they lead and, therefore, is not something that is ever of little matter, My Lord.”

His eyes widened for a few seconds before they gentled as his hand cupped my face.

“My sincere apologies, for you are right, these are wise words indeed,” he said as he ran his thumb over my cheek, giving me one of those heated looks that had me quickly squirming in my seat. So instead, I tried to focus back on Amelia, only to find her now rushing from the room. Of course, I also wasn’t surprised to find a frustrating Vampire intent on following her.

Draven, obviously not happy I was trying to evade his attention, made a displeased sound before turning to see where my gaze was fixed. He frowned as he watched his second in command disappear after the servant girl, no doubt questioning why, and the second his sister stepped back in the room, he rose from his seat.

“Excuse me a moment, for I think I will go and ensure all is well with the girl.”

At this I started to panic, having no idea what would happen should Draven meet our daughter. Surely, he wouldn’t recognise her, as he didn’t yet even know of her existence. But thatdidn’t mean he wouldn’t recognise something familiar in her. Which was why before I could stop myself, I grabbed his hand and stopped him. He looked down at my gloved hand wrapped around his wrist as if this was a completely foreign feeling when being restrained this way.

“Please, do you… do you have to go?” I asked, my tone full of vulnerability and nervous anxiety. To which he pulled his hand up enough so as he was grasping my own, before bowing his body so as he could kiss the back of it.

“You know not how it pleases me to witness your reluctance to see me leave. But do not fret, for I will not be gone long and, besides; you will have company,” he said with a devastating grin before standing fully and addressing his sister.

“Sophia, if I could impose on you to keep my betrothed company a moment.”

“But of course, it would be my pleasure, for I am sure we have much to discuss,” she said grinning, making Draven frown in question and prompting her say, “After all, we have a grand wedding to plan.”

This was obviously the right thing to say, as Draven beamed at her, totally missing my wince… or just outright ignoring it. He stepped into her and kissed her forehead in a tender gesture, before telling her,

“I will be gone but a moment…” Then he looked to me and added, “She is not to leave her seat. Understood, Sister?”

Sophia grinned up at him and nodded. But his eyes were still watching me and therefore not missing my scowl in return.

“And nor will she,” Sophia replied like the dutifully loyal sister I remembered her to be. Back when I had first entered their lives Sophia hadn’t simply played matchmaker, but she had also shown early on where her loyalties lay. However, over the years, this had switched as she had proved time and again that she would have followed me to the ends of the earth and beyondhad it meant protecting me. Even if it also meant pissing off her brother. She’d had my back more times than I could count, and if this was my Sophia who was now taking her brother’s seat, then I knew it would be no different.

“Be good, little thief,”he told me affectionately, running the backs of his fingers down my cheek. Oh, and outright ignoring my huff of annoyance, and instead chuckling because of it. I then watched him leave, only shifting my gaze to Sophia when I heard her complain,

“Gods but I forgot how much I hated these bloody dresses.”

“Sophia?” I questioned ,making her smirk at me.

“That’s my name, babe, don’t wear it out,” she said winking at me, and I swear I felt like bloody hugging her!

“Oh, thank Christ for that!”

“Thirty years and you still can’t get out of the habit of thanking the prophet,” she grumbled, making me grin.

“Look, I will thank the sodding Easter bunny if it means you have a plan to get me out of here,” I told her, making her chuckle.

“Yes well, about that.”

I winced at this, feeling my whole-body tense.

“What now?”

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