Page 68 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

“They’re lucky I’m so soft. If Xavian were still here…”

“But he’snot,” the other vampire counters, his tone unexpectedly firm. “Tudor, Xavian, Lazarus…they’re the old guard, and they’re gone now. Now you get to decide how to lead. And it doesn’t have to be their way.”

My stomach twinges. “If I want to be lectured, Murad, I would attend Amrita’s magic academy.”

“Don’t listen to me, then. After all,misfortune is a better teacher than a thousand pieces of advice,” he replies with a teasing wink.

This only irritates me further. “I didn’t ask for your advice, Murad. I came to you for good stories and a bottle of blood.”

“That’s not why you came to me, Crimson.” His voice become suddenly serious, and a little bittersweet. “You come because you can talk to me.Reallytalk. Without worrying about politics, or optics, or who’s going to try and drive a stake into your heart.”

I grimace at him, but I know it’s true. There are few other vampires in my clan who I trust, and I appreciate that I can relax in Murad’s company. He’s also one of thefew vampires close to my age, and he can understand something of what it’s like to be in my position. He was the right-hand vampire of his own Creator, and he only joined Xavian after they had a falling out.

“You’ve come a long way,” he continues, emboldened by my silence. “You survived Xavian’s tyrannical rule, and now you’re on the throne. You spent three hundred years getting here. Now that you’re in charge, what’s next? Are you going to keep amassing more power, like Xavian and Tudor, until someone stakes you? Or are you actually going toembraceyour existence? Do something meaningful?”

I glare at him. I hate how he reveals my insecurities, ones I haven’t even fully admitted to myself. But there’s no way I’m going to say that to him.

“I’m perfectly happy with my existence, thank you very much,” I reply, unconvincingly. “And I’m the king of a powerful vampire clan. My reign is new, I can’t take it for granted. I have to focus on consolidating my power. I don’t have time for anything else.”

“Maybe you could make time,” Murad suggests. “Enjoy some of what the world has to offer. Otherwise, you’ll work yourself to dust.” He takes a bright red rose between his fingers, twirling it around wistfully. “How did that American union song go?Hearts starve as well as bodies?”

“Give us bread, but give us roses.”

“Exactly! You need more roses.”

“You’ve been drinking too much seablood. And I don’t eat bread.”

Murad smirks at me. “Well,bloodand roses, then.”

I take a rose from the vase, stroking its soft petals. For the first time in a long time, I wish I could smell it. Wish I could remember what it was like to be human.

“Your new breather is quite something, isn’t she?” Murad says. “I notice you’ve been quite enamoured with her.”

I glare at him. “If the word ‘prophecy’ evencrossesyour mind, Murad…”

He throws up his hands, dropping the rose to the floor. “I didn’t say anything! I only meant to point out that you…seem to quite enjoy her company.”

“Of course I do,” I reply, curtly. “She’s beautiful and her blood isdivine.”

Murad gives me a pointed look. “Well, I’m glad you’ve found a good companion.”

“Likeyoushould be talking,” I accuse, playfully. “I saw you with Eloise the other night. And she had some new marks on her neck…”

“Guilty as charged.” He grins, then finishes off his glass. “Well, what do you say we go see if our roses are in the lounge tonight?”

I drain the last of my glass as well. “I thought you wouldneverask.”

CHAPTER 24: A MIRACLE

Crimson

A sense of unease lingers in my chest as Murad and I go down the stairs toward the lounge. I’m irritated with him for evoking it in me. Becoming the king of my clan was supposed to be enjoyable. The satisfying conclusion to centuries of hard work and service. I don’t want to be forced to dwell on things the way Murad always seems to.

And what did he mean, that thing about blood and roses? I’m perfectly satisfied with my existence. It can be difficult, yes, and dangerous, but that’s the price I have to pay to sustain my power.

And heknows…he knows the reason I can’t allow myself to get closer to anyone. Especially a breather. Even a beautiful, intriguing one like Paige.

Not that I’m scared of some bullshit witch whisperings.