Page 81 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

He speeds over to where I’m standing, causing me to stumble into the wall behind me. Placing a hand on either side of myhead, he moves forward until we are inches apart, boxing me in so that I cannot escape.

“Our lives are bound, and that means that any enemy I have only has to target you to take me out, so the training is not optional. You can either go there of your own volition, or I will drag you there myself.”

“You lay a hand on me and I wi—”

“You will what?” he asks before dropping his voice down low. “Moan like you have all the other times my hands have touched you. I’m not really seeing a downside for you here.”

I slam my hands into his chest, and even though I know that I do not require the strength to move him, he steps back.

“You’re an arrogant ass.”

He cocks his head to the side.

“Maybe, but right now our lives are bound, and if you want to move freely around this castle, you will train. Unless you prefer the privacy of the dungeon?”

“No,” the word slips out too fast, and a flicker of an emotion crosses his face, but it is gone just as fast as it came.

“Get ready, Adina.” He heads toward the door but pauses at the threshold. “And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that other than my royal guard, no one can know about this bond.”

I nod. I’m not a fool. Anyone with this kind of information will know that if they wish to take down the crown of the court of shadows, then they need only target his human mate.

“Good.”

Without another word, he turns and stalks out the door. I press my back against the wall as I think about the events of last night. I will train, and I will figure out exactly how to break this bond so that when the day comes that I strike again, he won’t get back up.

The training room reeks of leather and sweat, the musty scent clinging to the stone-clad walls. In the center of the room, Ivana and Piper are locked in an intense battle. A large glass ceiling allows starlight to leak through, bathing them in a white glow that causes the sweat on their exposed skin to glisten. I step forward, curiosity pulling me in as I watch them exchange blows. Piper throws a kick in Ivana’s direction, but she pivots at the last minute, grabbing her leg and sending her crashing to the floor. Ivana moves with a lethal grace that lets me know that she went easy on me down in the dungeon.

Piper rises to her feet, and I watch as they glide and whirl around each other, their moves so fluid they almost look like they’re dancing. It’s disturbingly beautiful to watch, and yet I still have no desire to train with these monsters. I’m seconds away from walking out when Ajax calls out to me.

“Hey, Red, you made it.”

I roll my eyes. As if I had a choice when the prince sent two guards to escort me here, after leaving me alone in my room.

He walks toward me, and I keep my eyes on him. He’s wearing a tight-fitted vest, and his toned arms are covered in sweat. Just like all noble-blooded vampires, he’s beautiful to look at, but that doesn’t fool me. Beneath that skin lies a monster, just like the rest. It doesn’t matter how gentle he acts; sooner or later, they always turn on you. Behind him, I see the pair end their sparring match, turning their attention to me.Great.

“I heard you had a rough night,” he says when he finally comes to a stop in front of me, rubbing his hands together.

“I guess.” I try to keep the hostility out of my voice. I have no interest in conversing with a vampire, but befriending them might just earn me enough trust to get the hell out of here when the time is right.

“I thought we could start with the basics, get you warmed up, and see what you can do first.”

Athriel snorts.

Warmed up, she learned from the best. You arrogant fool, not a single one of you can best her.

He can’t hear you.

Well, then tell him what I said.

I internally smile.

Telling him would mean revealing that you exist, and I’m not about to let them know that.

Good point. Just don’t embarrass me by losing a fight to one of these bloodmongers.

They’re strong, and without my blood running through them, I don’t stand a chance.

Not according to the prince. You share some of his gifts now. Use them.