Page 40 of Nocturn

“Drusilla, take the creature and allow her a feeding and a bath. When you return her to her cage, ensure she has comfortable bedding.”

Lady Drusilla strode through the doorframe with a polite mask on her face. Panic made me stumble back, and I frantically looked around. She was almost to me. I wound around her and went to Lord Draven’s side, bunching the sleeve of his tunic.

Lord Draven sneered and bared his fangs. He plucked Piper from my grip by the scruff along the back of her neck and lifted her to shove her back toward Lady Drusilla. I gasped, lunging forward to reach for her before I could think to stop myself.

Lord Draven clamped my nape, stopping me in my tracks.

‘I will be fine, Amara.’ Her voice, soft and frightened, echoed in my head. Lady Drusilla’s nose twitched, an obvious look of distaste on her face.

“I swear, if you harm her, I will find a way to kill you while you sleep.” The violent words bubbled free.

My threat did not faze Lady Drusilla.

“I cannot promise anything if the creature bites me.” She studied my neck too closely, so I shook my hair out to better veil myself.

“Behave,” I croaked at Piper.

She chittered as Lady Drusilla carried her out, holding her long body with both hands and away from her chest.

I wheezed out a breath and whirled to bunch the front of his tunic, looking up at him beseechingly.

“Please, Lord Draven. Please,” I begged. My throat felt too tight. He looked down at me, expressionless, but he stopped. “She’s everything to me. If something happens to her . . .”

A muscle ticked in his cheek. “I will ensure she is well cared for while you both are here.”

That was all he would give me.

And it was enough for now.

“In the time I exist, you mean.” My lips twisted wryly.

He’d given only an inch, but it was a victory. If he would capitulate for this, it meant he had some semblance of compassion in him. “Thank you.”

Lord Draven stiffened, causing his shirt to tauten in my grip. His eyes searched mine.

A groan ripped from the direction Damien had flown toward. His foot twitched, and he groaned again. I exhaled slowly. He was alive. I could not be too sure with the Warlord’s strength taken into account.

“Damien?” I called tentatively, wanting confirmation.

A click of teeth returned my focus to Lord Draven. It was as if a shroud fell over him with how painfully still he became. Footsteps pounded the wooden floor, retreating. I craned my neck to watch Damien run out of the shack.

“Do not turn your attention from me, redblood,” Lord Draven bit out. I quickly whipped my head back around. He gripped my arm, and the colors in his eyes pulsed.

Breathing harshly, I squirmed for freedom, unsuccessfully.

“Why were you touching him?” he asked calmly, but it was a farce. He showed too many teeth. The accusation rendered me silent. “What do you not understand about this body being mine?” He squeezed until tears gathered in my eyes. “Misuse of what is mine shall be punished.”

He pushed down on my shoulder, and my legs crumpled beneath me. I landed on my bottom, gawking up at him. Where had this anger come from?

Watching me with the line of his jaw tight and nostrils flaring, he seemed the embodiment of evil. His tawny hair fell onto his temples and across one brow. With quick jerks, he undid the straps connecting his trousers together. The leather scraped as it fell aside.

My breathing turned shallow, and I was unable to even blink.

Then his turgid member bounced free. My fingers curled as I stared at the moisture glistening on the head.

“On your knees,” he ordered silkily.

I struggled to comprehend, mind racing to make sense of all of it.