Page 46 of The Crownless King
The messenger lowered his head. “There was no disrespect meant. I’ve only come to deliver the message and—”
“And put eyes on the unruly vampires.” Levi growled, his patience snapping. “You have three minutes to get the fuck off my property or I’ll send you back to your masters in pieces.”
The messenger flinched, bowed, and rushed from the room. Levi shared a look with Bas that needed no words to translate. Sebastian nodded and he and Lucas both left the throne room on the hunt for the source of the rumors leaving his compound. He knew some of those rumors came from Amaya’s uncle. Trusting the male to keep his mouth closed had been a fool’s errand, but he’d promised Amaya that he wouldn’t kill him.
Sucking his teeth in aggravation, Levi leaned back on his throne, his gaze staring but unseeing. Putting aside the notion of a traitor, his thoughts immediately went to Amaya. The Collective could send as many messengers as they wanted, request however many meetings, and he still would not give her up. The insatiable need she aroused within him was all-consuming and though it frustrated him, he would take whatever small part of her he could get.
As though just the thought of her had summoned her attention, Amaya entered his throne room. She hadn’t knocked or asked permission, just simply strolled in, her shoulders back and a confident sway to her walk. She was exquisite. Amaya was dressed for work, a two-piece linen pants set that fit her wide hips flaring towards the floor. The shirt was sleeveless, the whole thing an emerald green color that made her brown skin glow. Levi licked his lips and shook his head. The way the woman filled out clothes was ridiculous. It made his chest rumble with hunger.
“I wanted to talk to you,” she said softly.
Though she tried to appear docile, Amaya’s strength was hard to hide. He motioned for her to come closer. She stared at him and he waited her out. Finally, after a few seconds of contemplation, she rolled her shoulders and closed the distancebetween them. Still, she stopped a foot away from where he sat on his throne.
“Before the other night, we were getting along better, right?”
He scoffed but said nothing. The mischievous smile she gave him had his dick stirring. Amaya stepped closer, climbing the stairs of the dais until only inches separated them. His heart thundered. Levi breathed in slowly, drawing in her scent.
“Have you come to ask a favor of me, baby doll?” His voice was thick with need.
She put a hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes. Before the smart quip he knew was on the tip of her tongue could leave her mouth, she sighed.
“It’s more a favor for you.”
Intrigued, he sat forward, his elbows on his knees. It put him even closer to her face. Their breath mingled and Levi wanted nothing more than to kiss her.
“Do tell.”
“The Akachi piece. If you’ll allow me, I can help you shield it in a way that will allow you to keep it, but also keep you from feeling the ill effects of it.”
He tilted his head, curiosity momentarily tapering off his lust.
She continued, rushing her words out. “I understand why you feel the need to have it. I don’t know the first thing about running a coven, or any group of people for that matter, but I do know what I feel when I allow myself to touch your mind.” She bit her lip, the first sign of her nervousness. “My motherhas those same scattered thought patterns and they will only get worse if you don’t do something with the Akachi.”
“Are you worried for me, baby doll?” He lowered his tone, his eyes watching her mouth, the lust back tenfold.
Amaya was worried about him? Did that mean she was softening towards him? Had his distance from her worked?
She sucked her teeth. “Do you want my help or not?”
He couldn’t help the smirk that lifted his lips. There she was. The meekness Amaya had entered the room with was completely gone and in its place, the fire that he’d become accustomed to when dealing with his mate.
“I will consider it,” he acquiesced.
After all, it was already something he’d been considering. Her offer was timely. It would allow him to keep his pride at the very least. But…
“Would it still give me access to its power?”
Amaya reared back in surprise. Smoothing back her hair, she considered his question.
“I’m sure there is a way…I’ll work on that.”
He nodded and leaned back in his chair in satisfaction. He reached out his hand, tugging on the waist of her pants to pull her closer to stand between his legs. His hands skimmed her hips.
“Then I thank you, Amaya.”
She smiled at him and the entirety of his bad mood dissipated. He would say yes to almost anything to have her smile at him like that on a regular basis.
“Give me a kiss, baby doll,” he said softly.
