“She’s fine. He’s not going to hurt his own daughter,” Seven whispers calmly.
But when I look back at them, Seven’s hand is pressed hard into Christian’s chest, Rorrick’s glaring attention following me every step I take, and nothing—absolutely nothing—feels fine in this moment.
Especially me.
Once we’re several yards away, I pull my attention back to the Thorn King. He looms over me, the soft leather of his wings hanging overhead. His warm hand lightly cradles mine like he’s worried he might break it if he puts an ounce of pressure on my skin. With patience and care, the cruel king guides me through the haunting smoke of the gardens.
“Do you like the Blood Prince?” he asks abruptly.
My lips part, but I’m hesitant to say the wrong thing. I don’t want to put any more tension between the already hostile kingdoms. Do I lie? Or do I give him a vague answer of honesty?
“Not... not really. He’s an asshole, if I’m being honest.”
His rumbling laughter is warm and tingles across my body in the strangest way.
“I do agree,” he murmurs. “Did you like your life in the mortal realm?”
Jesus. We really should have prepped the topics of discussion because this is not a good start for Daddy and me.
“No. I didn’t.”
He nods like he’s pleased to hear that, which suddenly makes me want to punch him in his obnoxiously square jaw. Emotions shake through me, and it’s only then that I realize I blame this stranger for the life he put me in.
From the moment I was born, I didn’t have a fucking chance at a normal life.
Because of him.
“Why? Do you feel bad for leaving me in a life where I was constantly afraid? Constantly hurt? Constantly on the verge of breaking down and never getting back up?”
His steps halt instantly, and the man following at the king’s side stops on a dime. There’s a tragic sadness in the king’s glinting gaze when he meets the anger in my features.
“I—”
But then I see him.
From just past the Thorn King’s big black wings, I see the one man I never want to come face-to-face with again in my entire life.
Boris’s smile is spread across his full cheeks, and it feels manic when his smile is pointed my way. Vomit stings up the back of my throat. And then he’s walking toward me.
“Shit,” I whisper so vacantly I don’t even realize I’ve said anything at all. “I have to go!”
“What?”
My heels stagger over the dry dirt. Hard shoulders jar into mine. The smoke grows heavier. A voice calls out over the large crowd, but I don’t stop moving for a single second.
Even when the announcer’s words finally register in my mind:
“The Vampire’s Hunt has just begun!”
Chapter 19
Christian
I made her a promise that I’d more than enjoy hunting her if she ever ran.
It looks like I’ll get to keep that promise.
Chapter 20