Page 157 of Dhampira

Vander looked at him. “You haven’t said you love Corinthe.”

Nerves knotted my stomach. Oh gods, what if Lorcan didn’t share my feelings? He desired me. He definitely liked me. But love was a lot to ask of someone. Maybe he wasn’t ready. And now I’d spilled my confession into the open for everyone to see. I pulled from Vander’s touch. “It’s all right. Lorcan doesn’t have to—”

“I was going to say it,” Lorcan said, glaring at Vander.

Vander snorted. “In what century? Because it took you the better part of one to say it to me.” Vander offered me one of his lazy smiles. “His Grace has trouble expressing his feelings.”

Lorcan’s jaw looked ready to crack from the force of him grinding his teeth. “You’re sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, as usual.”

“So you don’t love Corinthe?”

My hand itched to punch Vander again. “Vander—”

“Of course I love her!” Lorcan said. “She’s gorgeous and smart and frustratingly brave.” He stepped forward, and I could have sworn red dragonstones gleamed in his eyes as he gave Vander a fierce look. “I love her as much as I love you, may the gods help me.”

Vander nodded, his expression the equivalent of someone dusting their hands. “Good.”

I gaped at Lorcan. “You do?”

He looked at me. But he didn’t stop there. Stepping close, he shoved his fingers through my hair and tipped my head back, holding me trapped in his stare. “Hopelessly. Shamelessly. Yes, I love you. And if this kingdom crumbles around us, I’ll build you another. I’ll build a life for us anywhere you wish.”

Words deserted me, language all but forgotten.

BOOM.

The castle rocked. Sir Gawain gasped, reminding me that the men and I had an audience. The hobflies darted around the dust that sifted from the ceiling.

“We need to get outside,” Vander said, casting a tense look upward.

BOOM.

The shuddering knocked us sideways. Vander steadied me, and I looked him in the eye. “Don’t even think about ordering me to safety.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.”

The three of us sprinted to the stairs. Sir Gawain and the hobflies charged after us.

“When did this happen?” Vander shouted, hooking a thumb at the bright cloud of fairies.

“In Rasimir’s study,” I shouted back. The gauntlets knocked against the walls, the weight growing heavier. “I guess Daryn didn’t get that message to Kristoff,” I said.

Lorcan put a hand under my elbow, supporting the gauntlet’s weight as we ascended. “Or Kristoff got the message and acted accordingly.”

Worry gripped me. Had I made everything worse by trying to win the wolves to my side? “You think Kristoff is behind this attack?”

“I don’t know,” Lorcan said. “The werewolves are unpredictable. It’s the only predictable thing about them.”

By the time we reached the study, I thought my arms might fall off. If I hadn’t been determined to kill Rasimir before, I was now.

The hobflies and Sir Gawain followed us as we rushed through the Drakhold’s corridors. Afternoon sunlight sparkled through the windows. The sounds of the battle outside grew louder, the clash of steel mixing with growls and the occasional scream.

“How many witches?” Lorcan asked me as we neared the courtyard.

“Not many,” I said. “I saw a handful, but I didn’t get that good of a look.”

“That doesn’t mean they’re not around,” Lorcan said grimly. He looked at my imprisoned hands. “Stay behind me and Vander. If things go south, run to your chamber and stay put.” He turned to Gawain. “You make sure she gets there. Understand?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”