Page 137 of Dhampira

Anger flooded me. “Did her father have anything to say about this? What kind of king allows that type of abuse?”

“Veradorn isn’t like Nocta. The princess is ancient, with her own court and attendants. I’m not sure King Alluin knows I exist.” Vander grimaced. “To be honest, I prefer it that way.”

Something fierce bloomed inside me. My fangs punched down, and my growl rumbled between us. “If anyone ever hurts you again, I will fucking kill them.”

His silver eyes went wide. “I believe it,” he rasped, and then I was in his arms, his mouth on mine and his hands in my hair. He plunged his tongue deep, this kiss just as commanding and possessive as his first one.

And he needed it, I realized, some deep instinct within me unlocking. Vander needed to be in charge. In control. Good. Fine. I could bend for him. He’d given me the most intimate part of himself. I’d gladly give him this.

And it was hardly a burden. I kissed him back, stroking my tongue against his. Dragging the scent of rain and green, growing things into my lungs. Moaning softly when he slid his hands down my back and gripped my ass through my gown. He pulled me against him, answering my moan with a needy, masculine sound. Heat built between my legs, the memory of his big, skillful fingers spinning through my head.

He pulled back, and we stared at each other, both of us panting in the tight circle of his ward.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

I licked my lips. “Was it stupid to kiss me again?”

Slowly, he shook his head. “No. I’m stupid about a lot of things, but when it comes to this, I think I’m pretty smart.”

Ordinarily, I would have smiled. But the ward was a painful reminder of what the rest of the night held.

“I have to marry Lorcan,” I said.

Vander tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “My offer stands.”

My heart broke a little more. Rising on tiptoe, I kissed the edge of his jaw. “I’m grateful. But it’s not necessary.”

“You’re all right with marrying Lorcan?”

A sudden thought made me step back. “Yes, but…”

Amusement danced in Vander’s eyes. “You want to know if I’m all right with it.”

“Please don’t say my face gave it away.”

He tugged me against him. “The three of us have done just fine together so far. Nothing says we can’t keep doing that in the future.”

My cheeks burned, and my tongue suddenly felt too large for my mouth. “How would that work?” Immediately, memories of the previous night flooded me and embarrassment scalded my cheeks.

The look in Vander’s eyes sent more heat rolling through me. “I have a few excellent ideas.”

As much as I wanted to hear them, Yuliette was probably seconds from walking through the door with my wedding dress.

“I have to go,” Vander said, releasing me. “Don’t worry about the ceremony. Follow Lorcan’s lead.” He gathered the feygeld and broke the ward. Then he went to the balcony and slipped over the railing, his russet head dropping out of sight as his rain-and-forest scent lingered in my lungs.

A moment later, a tall woman with glittering scales brought my gown. A forked tongue darted between her lips as she curtsied. “I’m here to help you dress, Your Highness.”

“Where is Yuliette?” I asked.

The woman didn’t meet my eyes as she went to the armoire. “She won’t be serving you anymore, Your Highness.” The woman hung the gown and turned. Her hands trembled as she clasped them in front of her. “She had an accident.”

The happiness I’d felt with Vander vanished. Yuliette was dead. This woman was likely to follow in her footsteps. After Delphine, Rasimir probably didn’t trust anyone to serve me. So he’d rotate ladies-in-waiting. Attending me was almost certainly a death sentence.

“Thank you,” I managed to say.

The woman nodded. “Will you change your gown now, Your Highness?”

“Yes.”