Page 59 of Dhampira

Suddenly, he was right in front of me, his fingers tight on my jaw and his dark eyes cold and flat. Ice dripped from his words, any trace of softness long gone as he held me in place.

“A word from me about your little escape attempt, and Rasimir will make you regret being born. Your father will keep your organs in a bucket in front of you and make you watch as his court devours them. You will beg for death even as your immortality surges you back to life over and over.”

My gut clenched, visions of Duncan’s torture flowing through my mind in a nightmarish promenade. But fury lent my voice strength as I glared up at Lorcan.

“You’re sick,” I spat. “You’re nothing but a violent, disgusting beast.”

His fingers tightened on my jaw. The threat of bloodshed sparked between us. My fangs shot lower, something inside me eager for it.

Lorcan’s eyes widened. Then they glittered, and for just a second, I could have sworn approval flickered in them. He shoved me away, the move so abrupt that I yelped as I stumbled back.

“You have a beast inside you, too,” he rasped. “You better hope she grows some claws.”

Rage and fear trembled in my chest. My fangs throbbed, and my heart knocked against my ribs. The scant space between us crackled with anger and the promise of bloodshed. And if a third thing swirled in the air, I ignored it.

“The guard on your door will be doubled,” Lorcan said. “In case you decide to take another walk.”

I curled my hands into fists so I wouldn’t surge forward and slap his face.

He turned and opened the door. The knight lurched away from the wall, a bunch of fresh flowers in one fist. His throat worked above the quilted gambeson peeking from his breastplate.

“I, ah, brought these,” he said, thrusting the flowers out. When Lorcan didn’t take them, the knight blanched. The hem of his crimson cloak trembled around his armored calves.

Lorcan stepped forward, and his voice went silky as he eyed the knight. “The princess had difficulty sleeping. I wonder why her guard wasn’t available to assist her.”

The knight’s complexion turned ashen. His hand shook as he lowered the bouquet. “I…My prince, I was only—” Metal scraped against stone as he took a step back. “I didn’t mean—”

“You won’t hurt this man,” I said, the words jumping from my lips before I could stop them.

Both men swung toward me, their identical looks of surprise mirroring my own emotion. What was I doing, standing up for Rasimir’s guard? But the knight didn’t deserve to be punished for doing something as ordinary as falling asleep in the middle of the night. If Lorcan reported him, the man could lose his life.

I looked at Lorcan. “The knight didn’t fall asleep. I disabled him when I left my room. He’s lucky to be alive.”

The knight coughed, then recovered quickly. Lorcan held my stare, the look in his eyes both inscrutable and intense.

“You disabled a trained vampire knight,” he said at last.

I lifted my chin. “That’s right.” I held my breath, waiting for him to call the lie laughable. After another staring contest, he turned to the knight.

“The princess needs rest. See that she gets it.”

The knight formed his free hand into a fist and pressed it to his chest in salute. “Of course, Your Highness.”

Lorcan turned and strode away, quickly rounding the end of the corridor and disappearing.

The knight waited until his footsteps faded before turning back to me. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he said quietly.

I’d lost track of how many surprises the night had brought. But this one was different. The Drakhold overflowed with enemies and obstacles. Except for perhaps Delphine…and now the knight. Maybe.

He held out the flowers. “These go in your room, Princess.”

“Right,” I said, taking the bouquet. The knight bowed as I backed into my chamber. Shutting the door, I leaned against it with the flowers clutched to my chest.

My heart still pounded from my encounter with Lorcan. The memory of his fingers lingered on my chin. Crossing to the table, I placed the flowers in the empty vase. Then I stood in front of them, my hands limp at my sides as the reality of my situation settled over me.

I couldn’t escape. Not now, with double guards outside my door and Lorcan aware of my sole failed attempt. Your father will keep your organs in a bucket in front of you and make you watch as his court devours them.

My stomach twisted. Tomorrow I had to spend the day with Lorcan and Vander as they unveiled whatever terrible truths still lay in store for me. The men seemed to loathe each other, which meant I could expect more tension and discomfort. More pain and blood.