Page 18 of A Kingdom of Death & Darkness
Like, where was she even storing these items on her person?
“No,” Thorn replies flatly from his massive chair at the head of the long dining table.
“How were your travels?” I ask instead, redirecting the topic of conversation to something a bit safer.
“Oh, I ran into a bit of a delay at the border crossing. Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Another dazzling smile.
“A delay?” the King repeats, shifting in his chair to lean closer to the Blood Princess.
She waves her hand this way and that but ultimately shakes her head.
“’Twas nothing,” she says with a tinkling laugh.
Thorn’s heavy sigh stings the air because he and I and every single person seated at this table know thedelaythe Princess is referring to is his line of defense against the ruthless vampires of the Blood Kingdom. And they didn’t stand a chance against this petite little woman.
She takes another happy sip of her drink, and she sways lightly in her chair to a song no one else can hear.
“How’s your brother?” Thorn asks pointedly as he takes a large bite of steak and chews lazily.
“Very well indeed,” she says, her crimson-kissed eyes beaming over at the Fae King. “He sends all his love and prosperity to Crymson. He said he wished he could have come but perhaps another time.”
Thorn’s jaw pulses with a rage that he’s concealing rather well given the circumstances. Dinner with an enemy vampire and not a drop of blood has been spilled. Well, almost not a drop.
Delilah pats at the corner of her lips once more. She smiles charmingly at me, and I honestly can’t help but smile right back. She’s a vision of perfection. A sweet little angel.
And the King’s biggest pain in the ass.
ELEVEN
Thorn
Whispers and laughterfill the game room. The two women are seated in the corner at a small card table. Candlelight dances across Crymson’s high cheekbones as she moves a black chip across the porcelain backgammon board. They’ve been at it for hours, conspiratorially talking in hushed tones while their gazes flick from me to Airen to anyone else who dares pass them by.
I’ve been to war. Many times. I’ve killed a thousand men. I’ve held my own grandfather’s hand on his deathbed, and I’ve never once felt the fear I feel right now watching these two women gossip.
It’s unnerving.
I haven’t seen Crymson smile this much...ever.
“Concerned, My King?” Airen murmurs under his breath, stepping closer to my side to gossip himself.
“Immensely,” I reply.
“I don’t think she’s a spy,” he tells me.
“Of course, she’s a fucking spy,” I bite back a fraction louder than I intended.
The board game halts. Thick lashes lift, and two sets of glaring eyes pin on me.
Fuck. Great.
“Have you noted the raven?” I ask as chips begin passing over the board once more.
Airen cocks his head at me, his dark hair shifting around his bronzed features.
“Raven?” he asks slowly.
“There’s been a bird in our castle.” I lean my back against the tall bookshelf and continue to watch the way Crymson assesses the moves she has left. The Princess will win in less than three moves. But I don’t think she’s realized that yet.
