Page 133 of Invoking the Blood

Sparrow snorted, getting up and grumbled, “Tight lipped fucker. She’s going to tell me anyway.” To Faye she said, “Should we just have an early dinner? Vash should be back in an hour or so.”

“Did you want to have dinner with us?” Faye asked him with a smile, he would give anything to continue seeing.

“I have a small detail that needs my attention. I would be delighted to join you within the hour.”

“Good, the boys will be back in an hour. We can have girl talk.” Sparrow said, taking her seat across from Faye, then turned to Rune to wave her hand dismissively at him. “Begone.”

Faye gave him an apologetic look and he smiled. Rune inclined his head before saying, “Ladies,” phasing as he straightened.

A light breeze rustled Rune’s long white-blonde hair. He stood on the landing of Lyssa’s estate. A mirror of his home in Hell.

Why are we here. Return to our queen,the Ra’Voshnik growled, growing more agitated as he approached the large double doors. They opened when he reached the steps. Gabriel smiled in greeting.

Rune liked Lyssa’s son, preferring him over his harpy twin Morgan. Both of Lyssa’s children inherited their features from their father. A man who helped Lyssa escape his queen and court, paying with his life.

Gabriel’s deep red hair glimmered in the waning sunlight. “You don’t visit often,” he said, opening the door wider.

Rune stepped into the great room and said, “I have come looking for Lyssa.”

“She’s been in a mood,” Gabriel warned. “So good luck and I’ll keep Morgan at bay.” Gabriel winked and left down the hall to the right.

Rune drove his senses past his body, over the estate identical to his, searching for Lyssa.

Come.

Rune turned, The Ra’Voshnik bristling at her command. He submitted to the will of one woman, and it wasn’t Lyssa. Was never, Lyssa.

She was in her study. He walked the familiar path, comparing the differences between their homes attempting to calm himself. Rugs, plants, and portraits decorated much of the space. Fresh cut flowers brightened the rooms and lent their sweet fragrance. Lyssa’s home was warmer, more inviting than his.

The Ra’Voshnik’s voice filled his mind,Our queen could warm our home. Creating her own space will incline her to stay.

Perhaps he should ask if Faye would like to decorate. If she promised not to give the blonde harpy free reign, Rune thought to himself.

Rune knocked, then pushed the door open. Lyssa’s study was laid out differently than his. Instead of bookshelves, her walls were open. Portraits of the court and their families hung tastefully. The only similarities her study shared with his was the placement of their desks. They both sat with the spanning window as their backdrop. Where his view was an ever-twilight sky, hers was spelled to allow the sunlight to stream in and not burn her.

Lyssa sat behind her desk. Her hazel gaze met his with a cold expression.

“Business then?” Rune asked, studying her.

Lyssa lifted her head and sniffed. She wrinkled her nose with a look of revulsion. “How dare you come into my home, reeking ofher.”

“Is this how you want to proceed?” Rune asked. They were Pure Bloods. It would take more than a week of no contact for Faye’s scent to fade enough to not be detected.

He rather enjoyed having her scent on him. She marked him, searing his very soul.

“How does your Anarian whore keep up with your stamina?” Lyssa asked sweetly, her jealousy turned her smile ugly.

Take that bitch by the throat and throw her through her window before the sun sets,the Ra’Voshnik growled, urging him to phase her into daylight and hold her until she apologized to their queen.

Rune exhaled for patience and Lyssa continued to glare at him. Calling a flower arrangement he passed in the hall, Rune strolled to her desk. The metal vase rang as he placed it roughly on her desk, before sliding it in front of her. “Do not scent me. Concentrate on your flowers.”

Lyssa parted her lips and took a deep breath. “It’s been an age since I’ve tasted your anger,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “Is she shy, or does she strip whenever you arrive?”

Rune knew she wouldn’t be thrilled to see him in another woman’s bed, but this. “I have come to request Saith’s journal.”

She continued as though he’d never spoken. “Does she spread her legs for you?”

Letting her goad him served no one. “Is it still in the catacombs?” He asked.

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