Page 69 of The Time Of Kings

So, I had lay in wait, hearing the light footsteps that brought them closer, my heart beating in tune with the sound. The anticipation of the hunt awakened the predator in me. For my prey had no idea they had just stepped foot into my lair.

The gentle whisp of the curtain sliding back had me holding my breath. However, when I felt no shift of air as they brought down a weapon upon me, I found myself curious. I had nearly opened my eyes, especially when I heard a tiny inhale of air, as if the sight of me lying there was shocking. Something that didn’t make sense if their intent was to slay me. So, the second I heard the curtain being replaced I could wait no longer. I reached out and grabbed hold of them, surprised by how easily my hand wrapped around my prey.

The sudden shock made them knock into my lamp in their haste to be free of me, causing it to smash on the floor. I had let them go, knowing what would happen. As causing them to fall had only been the first part of their punishment. My dagger about to become the quick second as they foolishly had tried to run from me.

However, the second I felt the body of a woman pressed against the front of me, I found myself not so eager to cause harm. After all, other than entering my private domain, they had done me no harm. So instead of drawing blood, I had instead ordered for the girl to turn around to face me. The hood thatcovered her face an irritation that wouldn’t last long, for I fully intended on seeing the face of this intruder. One I could scent was wet and cold at that, if her shivering was anything to go by.

In fact, I had just been but moments from my discovery when she had done the most unexpected thing. Which took me back to that kiss and once more had me touching my lips, as if now a newly acquired habit. Such a profound moment and when being immortal, let’s just say that they were harder and harder to come by.

But that kiss…it was like nothing ever before.Which was why I ordered everyone back to bed, so as I could also get back to my own, hopeful to be joined in it, for I had never tasted anything as addictive. Although it was clear she was mortal and therefore now a forbidden fruit this King was most intrigued with.

Although it was only on my way back up that a thought suddenly hit me. One so sudden in its assault that I found my steps faltering and my hand going to the banister.

“Could it be?”I questioned aloud. My head snapped up and I found myself taking three steps at a time, my supernatural speed aiding me to get back to my bedchamber quicker. I very nearly tore the door from its frame in my haste to discover if it was what I hoped for it to be.

My time.

Finally.

However, what I had not expected was for the room to be…empty.My eyes widened in surprise before they narrowed in anger, a furious purple gaze that scanned the room just to be sure. This before I started to rip open my wardrobe and look under my bed. But unless her heart had the ability to cease beating, then I knew she was not here. Although it was true, that being distracted sometimes meant my ability to miss such things.

But not now. Not now that I searched for her.

Yet no matter how much I wished for it to be untrue, the fact remained that she was gone. Vanished like some mythical being. I would have questioned her being mortal at all had I not recognised it in her soul. Although even in that, I realised that I had not been tempted to try and taste it. To feed from its essence as I often did with mortals. Just like all my kind did.

Now why hadn’t I?

Because I had been too busy kissing her, that was why. Too busy getting lost in her taste. A forbidden want that I shouldn’t desire but knew that I did with a fever burning inside me. I would have questioned witchcraft, for the spell she cast had me consumed. And this combined with her ability to disappear, well then it was highly likely.

But then something stopped me, a snarl curling my lips as a scent suddenly hit me. No…it couldn’t be?

Could it?

I cast a hand out, making all but one piece of glass scatter before lowering to the floor amongst the chaos left in her wake. And there it was. A single shard of glass. The only one I was interested in, for there in the moonlight, streaming through the window, was the sight I hunted for. I plucked it from the smaller pieces surrounding it and found my hand shaking as I brought it to my nose. Once there, I took a deep breath in and inhaled the addictive scent of her blood. I even found myself closing my eyes for the effect it held over me.

My body reacted as I stood on unsteady feet, finding my foot rocking back a step. For just like on the staircase, it hit me with the force of a lightning bolt thrown from that bastard Zeus. Because it was true. My hopes and thousand-year prayers were now answered.

I had found her.

No.

She had found me… My Chosen One.

I gripped the glass, holding it tight enough that it nearly penetrated my own skin as I growled at the room. Quickly damning whatever ability she owned that had led to her escaping me. Which was when it suddenly dawned on me, as my eyes shot straight to the only explanation. My angry strides took me over to where a secret door was hidden… one she never should have known about.But with the scent of her blood on the carved rose, I knew there was a lot more to my Electus than I first thought.

There were secrets to unravel.

A body to unwrap.

A face to discover.

A heart to claim.

All of which started with first pursuing her. So, without wasting another minute, I called out to my brother as I made my way up the staircase with haste. I reached him quickly, communicating directly with his mind, which clearly told him of its importance for I rarely committed the intrusion unless absolutely necessary.

Which was why I wasn’t surprised when I heard him land on the rooftop behind me, quick to ask,

“What is it, brother? What has happened?”

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