Page 78 of Dhampira

A forest stretched behind my closed lids. I plunged into it, my claws kicking up soil and leaves. Scents spoke in my sensitive ears, deep greens and pops of red whispering for me to run faster. And I could, my body sleek and powerful. The forest’s song sped through my veins as I flew over streams and fallen logs. Birds scattered. Lesser beasts fled my path. A howl warbled in my throat. A pounding drum joined the forest’s song. My heart racing, I stretched my legs, flying over the forest floor. Black flickered between the trees.

No matter. I could outrun it. I could run forever.

Corinthe! Lorcan shouted in my head.

Snarling, I ignored him and ran faster. Seconds later, the voice came again, sharper and more insistent.

Corinthe, you have to pull back.

The drum pounded harder. Now its beat smothered the song. My strides faltered.

Pull back right now, or I’ll put you over my knee and blister your ass!

I wrenched my head up, a roar of outrage in my throat. Light stabbed at my eyes, and I jerked my head down as I blinked against the pain. I knelt on the side of the dance floor with the werewolf on its side in front of me. Ropes of pink intestines spilled from a wide gash in its stomach. Blood stained my skirts and soaked my bodice. Courtiers ringed the ballroom, their eyes locked on me. Silence hung heavy in the air. Werewolf bodies littered the ground, their blood spreading over the broken glass.

Lorcan stood a short distance away with the male acrobat locked tightly against his chest. The acrobat sagged in Lorcan’s grip, his head lolling as Lorcan fed from his neck. Confusion pummeled me as I struggled to catch my breath. The acrobat was no threat. Werewolves had attacked, and yet Lorcan had chosen the glomarid as his prey. The acrobat’s wings were wilted and faded. His head sagged farther to the side. With a final sucking sound, Lorcan dropped the man to the ground. The acrobat struck hard and rolled onto his back. His mouth gaped, and one bloodless wing bent under him at an awkward angle. His wide blue eyes stared sightlessly at the twinkling ceiling.

Power hummed under my skin. My vision wavered, growing clear as crystal. Around the ballroom, color sighed and shifted, reds and blues inviting me to run. A thousand drums shivered like rocks skipping over a lake.

Heartbeats. Vampires. Hunger cramped my gut. I leaned forward, something loosening inside me.

A rustle of cloth jerked my attention to the throne. Rasimir rose, and every line of his body was clearer, the colors of his clothing sharp enough to cut glass. Vander was a shadow on my father’s heels as he crossed the floor, his green eyes fastened on me.

The power in my veins rushed as I stood. The werewolf twitched and then started to transform. By the time Rasimir reached me, a nude man lay at my feet, his stomach ripped open and his lips tinged blue. The stump at the end of his wrist was scabbed over. His chest was still.

Rasimir kicked the corpse out of the way and grasped my chin. Power surged through me, the scent of the forest thick in my lungs. My lips peeled off my teeth as a growl vibrated my throat. My fingers twitched with the need to fight—to shred. I blinked, and my vision sharpened again.

“Good,” Rasimir murmured, his green eyes assessing. “Perhaps you’re worthy of my name after all.” He tightened his fingers on my chin, and he dropped his voice to a whisper wreathed in menace. “But sheath your claws, Daughter, lest they get you into trouble.”

Vander was a forbidding presence over Rasimir’s shoulder. The courtiers’ stares pressed against my skin. Drawing a ragged breath, I lowered my gaze.

Rasimir let another tense moment pass. Then he released my chin and beckoned to Lorcan. Heads turned as Lorcan stepped over the dead acrobat and crossed to Rasimir’s side. Lorcan’s solid black gaze traveled over me before he bowed to Rasimir.

“Majesty.”

Rasimir smiled. “My prince.” He took Lorcan’s hand, then turned and grabbed one of mine. Lifting our joined hands, the king raised his voice. “We gathered tonight to celebrate the happy news of my daughter’s betrothal. Our enemies tried to ruin our evening by robbing us of an heir.”

Around the ballroom, courtiers booed and jeered. A knight drew his leg back and kicked the pale body of the transformed werewolf sprawled at his feet.

“We are stronger together!” Rasimir cried. “So let us join our houses as quickly as possible. Instead of three months, we’ll celebrate the wedding of Princess Corinthe and Prince Lorcan in two weeks’ time.”

A cheer went up. My heart thumped faster, stolen power rising and falling under my skin. As the merriment continued, panic sprouted new wings in my chest. Lorcan and Vander wanted me to kill Rasimir and save Nocta. I wasn’t certain I had it in me. I wasn’t even certain it was possible. But I was sure of one thing: No matter what happened, I had to escape this wedding.

And now I only had two weeks to do it.

16

My body buzzed as I paced my chamber after the ball. The fire spat half-heartedly, barely throwing off any heat. Good. I was hot all over, sweat prickling under my arms and at the small of my back.

Where was Delphine? She was never around when I needed her.

Something was wrong with me. My bloodied gown swished around my legs, every slide of fabric like a caress. Moonlight spilled through the balcony doors. As I passed the vase of dead flowers on the table, a shriveled petal tumbled to the floor.

Where in the name of all the gods was Delphine? A growl rumbled in my throat as I faced the doors.

Go find her, a little voice in my head whispered. I curled my fists until my nails dug into my palms. Punish her.

No, no. I couldn’t do that. It wasn’t her fault I was alone and starving. After Rasimir made his announcement, he’d murmured in Lorcan’s ear and the two of them left without a backward glance. When the courtiers began piling werewolf corpses on the fire, I marched to the doors—and then clenched my jaw when two knights trailed me. They’d followed me to my room.