Page 16 of Bite The Power That Feeds

Neo immediately left his post and came to me, issuing a deep bow once he was in my presence. “It is an honor, Queen Clara.”

“Make accommodations for my guests. They’ll require three rooms.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

I stepped aside and watched him enter, ushering the guests down the stairs and to the forest floor.

Except Cobra wasn’t with them.

My heart had been steady a moment ago, and now it raced a little faster. I returned to the throne room and found him exactly where I’d left him, sitting in the high-backed chair, the glow of the candles highlighting the contours of his handsome face.

I stared, my face frozen in stoicism. “It’s late, King Cobra. You should retire for the evening.”

He left the chair, made the walk around the table, and then came up to me. Nearly a foot taller than me, when he was up close, I had to tilt my head back to keep my gaze locked on his.

“I like that dress.”

It was white, with a pronounced slit up my right thigh. It had long sleeves but a deep cut down the front that showed my collarbones, the hollow of my throat, and a bit of the top of my chest. Handwoven by our best seamstress, the dress was elegant and beautiful, showing my power as queen but also my humbleness. My heart continued to race, but it raced a little faster at his compliment. It wasn’t given with a cheeky smile and his typical smugness. It was simple and genuine.

“And the flowers…” His hand raised and reached for one of my strands, lightly touching a white iris pinned in place. “Beautiful.”

I tried to keep my breath even when he touched me. Tried to pretend this intimacy meant nothing to me. But my heart wouldn’t slow.

He withdrew his hand and continued his stare.

“Is there something you wanted to say?”

He cocked his head slightly, those intelligent eyes locked on mine. “A lot of things, actually. But are they things you want to hear? Your racing heart tells me yes, but that icy look on your face says no.”

I hated that my own body betrayed me. And I couldn’t stop it.

“There it goes…” Now that smug grin emerged.

Heat flushed my cheeks. “Are you the only one with this ability?”

“It’s specific to Cobra Vampires. We can hear our prey from a distance.”

“What special abilities do Kingsnake Vampires have?”

“Night vision.”

“I thought all snakes had that ability.”

“His is different from mine. He can see heat signatures.”

“And Originals?”

“They can feel minds.”

“Feel?”

“Yes,” he said. “It’s very involved.”

I didn’t ask any more questions, knowing I was purposely filling the silence with words to make it more bearable. Anytime I was around him, the tension was so tight it could snap my neck from my shoulders. It was worse now, after our time apart.

His eyes watched mine as he rode the wave of silence. “We agreed that your father would be spared. Honoring your request was the least we could do after the information you provided us. But unfortunately, my father felt otherwise. I tried to stop him, even interfered in the battle before they could kill each other…but it wasn’t enough.”

I didn’t ask questions because I didn’t want details. Didn’t want to know how my father had met his death.

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