Page 79 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

“He won’t feel that way when I have an Ethereal at our disposal.”

The general was clearly infuriated. “I hope she kills you.” Footsteps sounded. “And I’ll say I told you so as I stand over your grave.”

I listened at the door then quickly retreated when the conversation ended. I shut the bathroom door behind me and quickly jumped into the shower, the warm water hitting my oily hair and washing away all the dirt, grime, and blood.

I’ve met a lot of arrogant men, but Cobra had to be the worst.

He was far more full of himself than I’d realized.

I enjoyed my shower and helped myself to his vanity to dry my hair and brush it until it was smooth. I had bruises on my face from where he’d struck me in battle. My arms and thighs were bruised the same way, dots that turned purple and blue. It was nice to wash away my travels and the battle, but I couldn’t fully relax because I was in the presence of an asshole vampire.

I finally left the bathroom, unsure if I could look him in the eye without giving away my rage. The towel was tight around my body as I approached the bed, finding a dress that was cut into two pieces. There was a small top that would barely cover my tits and then a short skirt.

He entered the bedchamber from the other room, standing in nothing but comfortable trousers, his bare chest on display.

I held up the garments. “You expect me to wear this?”

That arrogant smirk came into his face, reaching his eyes with the same excitement. “I thought you’d like to wear something nice for dinner.”

“This is underwear.”

“I can wear nothing if that makes you more comfortable.” The grin was still there, showing how thoroughly he enjoyed this dynamic.

I returned to the bathroom and put it on, feeling as if I’d just put on lingerie. My stomach had been empty for over a day, and I was starving and weak. Without that nourishment, it would take longer for me to heal. The bruises should already be gone by now, but they lingered because of my hunger.

I returned to the bedroom to see him standing exactly where I’d left him.

That smile was gone so fast.

His eyes absorbed me like a sponge absorbed water, taking it all in a single breath. His dark eyes roamed over my body in a quick second, intensity settling into his face. His jaw was tighter now, his eyes far more serious. Within the snap of a finger, he was a different man from the one I met in the cell.

I walked past him and ignored his stare, getting so close my shoulder brushed against his bare arm. It was the first time we’d been that close without our swords drawn, and I smelled his manly scent as I headed to the dining table, which was already set for two with our meals under serving covers.

I helped myself to a seat and removed the lid. It was a garden salad and lentil soup, along with a small serving of pasta bathed in cream sauce. It looked delicious, and the moment I saw it, my stomach tightened in excitement.

He took the seat across from me and removed his cover. His dinner was different from mine—meat and vegetables. He poured the wine into our glasses then set the linen across his lap.

We sat in silence.

His stare was locked on my face the entire time.

Without meeting his look, I could feel it, feel the way he stared at me like I was a piece of meat.

“Are you ever going to look at me?”

My eyes lifted to his as I spun my fork in the pasta.

He was relaxed in the chair, his plate clean with a few drops of juice left behind. His fair skin was stretched over thick muscles. His arms were segmented and defined by the different muscle groups, and his shoulders were broad enough to carry a deer on each one. His pecs were strong too, plump and flat at the same time. His stomach was hidden from view, but I imagined it was tight and firm like the rest of him.

“How’s your dinner?”

“You have a good chef. How did you know I was a vegetarian?”

“I didn’t until now.”

I’d been starving in that cell, so I didn’t hesitate to eat every single bite on my plate. It was nice to have a hot meal in my stomach after my long travels across the continent to reach Grayson. It made me miss home, miss the luxuries that were not inaccessible to me. I wondered if they would come for me when I didn’t return.

I grabbed the glass and took a drink.

---