Page 64 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

“It means I’ll protect you, and you will serve me,” she says, matter-of-fact. “A mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“A mutually beneficial arrangement,” I echo.

“Precisely.”

Although I’m glad to have clarified things, and there’s a warmth in my chest when she tells me I’mpreciousto her, I can’t help but feel that there’s a…a wall up inside of her. Something that she’s guarding herself against. But I don’t understand what.

And I know that it’s early. We’ve only known each other a few months. But our connection feels incredibly intense already. And I’m burning with curiosity about her.

And burning…in other ways, too.

“I’m…I’myours,” I confirm to her. “And I promise to serve you, my king.”

“Good,” she replies, with a devilish expression. “Because we have along night ahead of us. If you’ll help me with something, that is.”

I tilt my head, curious. “What is it, sir?”

And she tells me.

CHAPTER 22: OF SERVICE

Paige

This room is chilly, and goosebumps prickle my skin. But I don’t let myself shiver. I hold myself still, my shoulders up but my chin down, maintaining an image of perfect subservience. I’m grateful for the soft, plush red pillow under my knees. The stone floor must be hard, and even colder. I suppose not a lot of living humans come down here. I don’t think the chill bothers the vampires much.

The double-doors of the war room creak on their hinges as they open. A vampire strides confidently in, flanked by several others. He has white, pale skin and messy, dark brown hair brushed back from his temples. His eyes are a strange, supernatural purple, glimmering in the dim torchlight of the stone room. For a moment, they flicker, and a shudder pulses through me. Did his gaze fall upon me, so quickly I just barely perceived it? My face flushes hot, aware of the collar on my neck. I wring my hands together in my lap, and look over to Crimson instinctively. I’m glad she’s there. The words she said earlier“You’re mine. I’ll protect you” ring pleasantly in my ears.

Two lines of Night vampires watch the new guests with keen interest, from along both sides of the war room. But the commanding presence here is the Crimson Stake herself, seated like a king upon her throne, her head resting lazily upon her fist, a bemused expression in her grey eyes.

“So kind of you to join us, Cedric,” she drawls. “I have to admit, I wasn’t sure if you would heed my summons.”

“Good evening, Crimson,” he replies. “And certainly, I wouldn’t deny the King of the Night my presence when summoned.” He gives her a deferent nod. “Leadership looks good on you. My condolences on the loss of your Creator.”

“And my condolences in turn.”

They regard each other like statues, giving nothing away. There’s a heavy tension underlying their exchange, but I have no idea what the context is. I’m suddenly intrigued, and desperately curious about what’s passing between them.

“I imagine it must be very complicated between you and your siblings, in the wake of Tudor Thornblade’s passing,” Crimson hums, leaning a little forward on her throne.

The other vampire meets her gaze steadily. “Of course, as it always is, when older vampires are staked. I’m sure you know something about that, Crimson.” He gazes pointedly at her. “I see that Waylan Night is no longer here.”

“I don’t hesitate to end vampires in my territory who fail to demonstrate complete fealty to me,” she answers. Is there a hint of a threat in her voice? What’s this other vampire done?

But he makes no indication of fear, or pledge of allegiance. “Understandable, to someone in your position.”

There’s a pregnant pause. I try not to fidget or squirm in the silence. Vampires seem to be comfortable with a lot of silence. I’m learning a lot tonight.

And seeing Crimson on her throne, in her element as the leader of her region…it’s amazing to think that I could be evenmoreattracted to her, but I am. That ever-present desire in my core heats up, watching her engaged in this back-and-forth.

Crimson tilts her head slightly. “I’ve found, in my position, that being clear is very important. That establishing a shared…understandingis crucial, for vampires in powerful positions. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The other vampire’s eyes darken. It’s hard to tell, since he stands so still, but he seems to stiffen. “I would.”

Crimson raises her hand, two fingers gesturing, beckoning. For a moment, I think she’s gesturing toward the other vampire. But he doesn’t move.

Then I realize, with a jolt in my stomach, that she’s gesturing forme.

A blaze of fire ignites inside me. It takes all of my strength to rise to my feet, to cross to her throne. I keep my head bowed, my hands folded dutifully in front of me as I wait for further instruction.