Page 43 of Princess of Thorns and Ruin

His gaze snaps up to meet mine, and he no longer looks distracted or withdrawn as he says, “A king.”

The word echoes solemnly across the room. My brother heats a seal of wax over a candle and retreats into an uncomfortable silence.

I stare at him until he finally winces and looks up at me again. “You’ll be a good queen, Ari. You’re right, the Pereiras have been lax in upholding our sacred laws. I need you there to steer them right. They won’t listen to a foreigner on how to rule their kingdom, but they’ll listen to you. You’re a Delacroix. Pereira might not be the prettiest husband, he might be drunk and lazy, but with you there, we can truly reform their court. Together.” He rubs his face down with a worried frown, looking more tired than I've ever seen him. “If you don’t, we have much worse to fear than war against the Zhaos. We could all lose our crowns, Ari. If we vampires can’t manage to fulfill our duty to the Shadow World—if we can’t uphold the laws of Hatten—other demons will rise up against us to take our place. I didn’t want to burden you with this all at once—I was advised to ease you into it, but there it is. Much more than I need soldiers, I need eyes and ears in the Pereira court, and you’re the perfect person for the job.” He tilts his head to the side and laces his fingers in prayer. “Will you consider it? Please?”

Blinking away the tears, I lift my chin up. While I understand where he’s coming from, and this is exactly the sort of task for which I’ve been raised—the sort of challenge that should be entrusted to my family—I still think the marriage part is most unpalatable.

“Thank you for your candor. I’ll think on it, your grace.” I take my leave with a respectful bow, pondering his well-made argument. The Pereiras do need to change their tune and work harder to uphold our laws, or the entire world will be in danger. Maybe I am the best person to fight for change, having a few ideas already on how to change our court, starting with arranged marriages.

Alec is waiting for me on the other side of the door, so I bite the insides of my cheeks hard not to show my emotions and hurry down the corridor, my new muscles primed for a run.

I should really embrace my enhanced physical abilities and test my stamina and speed. As a newborn vampire, maybe I could outrun my treacherous bodyguard and find a private place to cry without being judged or lied to. My fight-or-flight instincts are raw as I pick up the pace.

“Are you alright, princess?” he asks quietly, the now almost familiar question angering me further.

I spin around to face him, my chest heaving. For some reason, I couldn’t bring up Alec’s betrayal to Victor, but I’m not sure I can trust him anymore. Eleanor certainly didn’t deserve what Ludovic did to her, but Alec lied to the whole court.

His gaze meets mine, both inquisitive and calm. I should double-back and tell Victor about his treason, and yet…

“Jesus, she looks so angry and disappointed. She deserves way better than Pereira. Arranged marriages should be outlawed,” he thinks, oblivious to the fact that I can hear him. “Why is she looking at me without saying anything? Why is she holding back? She must be in shock. I should really say something kind…”

Taken aback by his train of thought, I tear my gaze away and clench my jaw.

Just as I’m about to head into the gardens, I collide with a solid chest. The scent of sweet peppers and cinnamon turns my head as Sebastian catches me in his arms, his proximity as confusing as ever.

“Slow down, Lil’ Bit. What are you running away from?” He checks over my shoulder. “Beaumont is dull, sure, but he’s not worth your tears.”

Fuck. Of all the men I didn’t want to cross paths with now, Sebastian was at the top of the list.

From the corner of my eyes, I catch Alec flipping him off. My bodyguard isn’t allowed to show such cheek to Sebastian, but knowing both vampires, it doesn’t surprise me in the least.

The redhead fiend squeezes my fingers. “I’m hosting a post-coronation party. You should come.”

I tear my hand away. “Thank you, but no.”

“There’ll be plenty of young, willing humans for you to taste…” he adds, tempting the beast in me.

I’m already out for blood, so the last thing I need is to be surrounded by hot, sweaty humans. My gums itch at the mere thought of a drink.

Leo.

I need Leo.

Chapter 16

Busted

LEO

The evening after my ill-advised massage, I wake with a start at the sharp beep of my alarm, and the tent situation under my sheets sparks a fresh wave of self-loathing in my chest. Ugh. I haven’t woken up in such a pathetic state since I was a teenager, and I cringe as I make the stupid choice not to take care of it then and there.

Instead, I pop a coffee pod in the machine and get dressed. Hazelnut fragrances waft through the air, making my mouth water in anticipation, and I transfer the hot coffee to a travel mug, about ready to start my day—or rather my night. I enter the princess’ room quietly, hoping not to catch her in a bad mood or—god forbid—naked. The sight of the massage table is enough for me to growl, my erection still raging.

Surprise washes through me as I find Evangeline in Arielle’s room, making the empty bed.

“Good evening,” she says with a smile.

“Where’s the princess?” I scratch the back of my neck, but a quick glance around the apartments confirms my hunch that she’s gone.

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