Page 67 of A Bond in Blood

I leaned back in my chair, eyes traveling across the dining room. “May I be excused?”

Ulrich’s lips sipped from his whiskey slowly. He set the glass down, thrumming his fingers against the table top. “Such manners for a princess who grinds on a man’s legs out in the open.”

My hand tightened around the knife in my grasp. “Respect, your grace. It’s all I am asking for.”

“I’m not bound by your requests.”

“Technically…” Olen cut in.

“Quiet,” Ulrich snapped.

Olen went silent.

My hand held the knife firmly. “Sexual frustration does you no good, your grace.”

Olen choked beside me, and I glanced over, finding him wiping whiskey from his mouth.

Ulrich’s laugh echoed throughout the space. “I have no idea what you’re referring to.”

I sat straighter, choosing my next words for our battle.

“If I’m taking up space in your bed,” I began, “just tell me. I can disappear for a few hours to allow you to find your release.”

Olen coughed again. “Fuck the Gods.”

“Silence,” Ulrich growled, his eyes pulled from my gaze to scowl at his right hand. Then the green emeralds were back to my blue.

“I’m not the one publicly humping legs. Do I need to leave you alone in the room for a few hours,princess?”

“Maybe,” I taunted. “Not sure who I would invite though.”

Ulrich’s hand pointed to the man beside me. “He’ll do.”

Olen’s hands rose defensively. “I am not part of this game.”

“I disagree,” I replied. “You started this all. Taking me from my home.”

Olen’s eyes traveled to Ulrich for a moment, some silent conversation occurring before me between the two.

“I do as I’m told,” he finally replied.

“Like the good little pet you are.”

Olen’s fist thumped against the table. “Princess, keep going. I’ll give you more hate in your heart.”

I turned back to Ulrich, spinning the edge of the knife on the arm of my chair.

“Well, your grace. Do I need to find a way to entertain myself to give you peace from my presence?”

Ulrich picked his glass up again. “Olen, I bet she squeals when she’s humped.”

I glared.

He sipped his liquor. “I bet she begs the Gods for release when she’s taken from behind.”

My hands shook, causing the knife to tremble just below the table.

Olen was silent but a vile smile was spreading across his lips.

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