Page 37 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

His eyes close for a brief second, as though savouring a taste. When they open again, something unreadable has settled behind them.

“Why did you do that?” I whisper.

A strange look crosses his face. “Insurance.”

I stare at him. “That’s not an answer.”

“No,” he agrees. “But question time is over.” He rises and offers me his hand, his tone level, carrying the quiet finality of a man who expects to be obeyed. “Let’s go.”

I stare at his hand and try to push myself upright, but my knees wobble beneath me. Reluctantly, I take it.

His fingers close around mine, warm and firm. He is strong enough to drag me from the carriage. Strong enough to kill. Now he pulls me to my feet. We’re standing almost toe-to-toe, the air thick with tension.

Then he releases me.

“You would be wise to heel,” he says, his tone carrying a silken threat.

He turns and strides away without looking back, clearly assuming I will simply follow. The fact that I do completes my humiliation.

I tug the torn sides of my tunic across my chest as I walk, tucking them awkwardly into my trousers for what little coverage they offer.

Then I catch up and fall into step beside him, chin set, ever so slightly in front.

If I have to follow, I will not trail at his heels.

Because fuck that.

Chapter 7

Nathaniel

Ikeep my eyes ahead as we walk, my jaw tight. It is not her escape attempt that gnaws at me. It is that I lowered my guard enough for her to try.

Going after her was one thing. Letting that creature tear into her was never an option. But I had gone into the alley with silver already drawn, and even if it had stood down the moment I ordered it to, I would have used it.

A slight overreaction. Killing one of my father’s prized monsters ought to trouble me more.

I’m too consumed by other concerns, like the taste of her blood. Sweet and velvet-dark, still sitting tantalisingly on my tongue. For better or for worse, I have tasted her now, and it tingles through me, through my veins, attuning me to her presence beside me.

Her heart rate. Her scent. Every breath.

Its potency will fade eventually. Yet I’m already craving more. My throat is dry, my mouth too wet. I should not want another taste so badly.

There is an explanation, though. It is not her blood that draws me. It cannot be.

I have simply gone too long without feeding.

We pass through the Academy gates. I have already sent the carriage gliding ahead of us towards the carriage house at the rear of the school grounds, leaving us to cross the grounds on foot. A little fresh air might do both of us some good.

I glance sideways at Kira.

She walks with her chin lifted, her torn tunic clutched closed at the shoulder, doing an admirable—albeit poor—job of looking unshaken. Then the gates clang shut behind us, iron meeting iron with a deep, final toll, and she flinches.

“If anyone asks, an enforcer collared you on your Master’s behalf,” I say. “Then the carriage came to collect you. You rode here alone.”

She frowns. “I’m not supposed to mention that it was you?”

“No. My involvement remains between us.”