Page 19 of Kiss of Death
“Unless that was their motivation all along,” Hawk said. “Under the guise of…affection.”
“No, I believe this man’s sincerity,” my mother said immediately. “When a man loves a woman, all of his intentions become purely unselfish.”
I sat at my father’s bedside, his expression relaxed and impassive like the last time I’d seen him. A battle had come and gone, and he remained bedridden, his sword hanging on the wall where my mother had placed it.
My hand reached for his on the bed, my fingers resting on his knuckles.
His body gave a slight twitch at the touch, like a transfer of energy took place. Then his eyebrows furrowed in unease, and his hand slowly turned over before his fingers weakly closed around mine. It seemed to take all his strength to do it, but the moment he felt me, he couldn’t resist.
“You know it’s me,” I whispered.
He lay still again, like he’d used whatever energy reserves he had to show me affection.
At least he knew that I’d survived the battle. That we were victorious. That the kingdom he protected was still safe from the monsters that wanted it for themselves.
“Hawk and I are going to find the cure to bring you back, Dad. I promise.” I stared at our hands, his palm so much bigger than mine, immediately reminding me of Callum’s…
His fingers slowly tightened around mine and gave one single, weak squeeze.
Like he knew I would keep my promise.
A knock sounded on my door. “Your Highness, General Viper requests an audience.”
After the battle and the cleanup, I’d showered and slept for nearly an entire day. I ate the meal that the servants brought to me then took another shower. Now I sat in my black robe with damp hair in front of the fireplace, my broken mind trying to process everything that had just happened.
And the fact that Callum hadn’t been there.
That he still hadn’t come to me.
That an entire week had passed since he’d told me he loved me.
I should feel only grateful that the Southern Isles had survived the attack by the Barbarians. That my family was still alive. That Khazmuda and the others hadn’t been shot down and turned into monsters.
But I was utterly devastated that Callum hadn’t returned to me.
I still possessed his strength, so I knew he was still here…still somewhere.
Was he trapped and needed my help…or was he really just delayed?
“Queen Lily Rothschild?” the guard repeated.
I snapped out of my thoughts. “Yes, let him in.” I didn’t change out of my robe because Viper had seen me naked in his bed. Had tasted every part of me. Already knew me in a way only a lover could. And our affair had been just a few months ago, basically aheartbeat. While it was passionate with blazing flames, I’d fallen in love with Callum so quickly afterward that I wondered how real it had ever actually been.
The door opened and Viper entered, dressed in his full uniform and armor like that was the only attire appropriate for a visit with a queen. The only thing missing was his large two-handed blade. He must have left that behind in his quarters because he assumed the guards would confiscate it.
They wouldn’t have, not when I trusted him.
He stopped at the edge of the living room before his eyes gazed over at me. “Is this a bad time?”
“No. I’m just…tired.”And fucking devastated.
He stared at me for another moment before he stepped into the living room. He chose to occupy the armchair next to the fireplace and faced me head on. His forearms moved to his thighs, and he stared at me just the way he always had, with dark, slitted eyes that told their own story.
“I slept for an entire day.”
He gave a slight nod. “After watching you across the battlefield, I’m not surprised. I’ve never seen a human woman fight like that.”
He didn’t ask for the source of my strength, so I let his silent curiosity go unanswered.
