Page 55 of Blood Day: Part Two

And while I could allow myself a small speck of hope for Lily’s sake, I was too practical to lose my senses over impossible fantasies.

I set the supplies in Lily’s closet.

Then grabbed her again.

And sank my fangs into her neck.

I wanted to leave her wearing my mark for all to see. It was what my fellow brethren would expect after having claimed her as a playmate for a month. Her “advisor” would be satisfied with the display as well, assuming she ended up calling later this evening as I already suspected she would.

Lily clung to me as I took a deep swallow.

Then she accepted my kiss once more. But I didn’t give her any of my essence this time. She already had a healthy amount inside her. Plus our bond. She’d heal quickly, perhaps even too quickly. But there wasn’t much I could do about that.

Try not to bathe too much. The others will smell me on you. I want them to assume it’s because of how much time we spent together. Not because of our bond.

I wasn’t sure that’d be enough.

She didn’t smell like a vampire, but she no longer smelled human either.

Try to avoid getting too close to any of my kind, okay?

She nodded.

I’ll make sure Livia doesn’t sign you up for any last-minute courses. That way, you can remain in your room as much as possible.

Okay.Her fingertips traced my jaw, her gaze studying me.I’ll be thinking of you.

I’ll be thinking of you, too, I vowed.We’ll see each other again soon.

Yes, Master Cedric.

I fought the urge to smile and brushed a final kiss against her lips.Be good, Lily flower.

I didn’t wait for her reply, instead teleporting to my car and getting inside before I changed my mind about leaving her here.

It would be so easy to strap her into the passenger seat and drive off.

But we wouldn’t get far.

Khalid Region sprawled out to the east, with Sahara Region encompassing the west. Going north would take us into the Mediterranean Sea and onward into Ayaz Region or Hazel Region.

No good options.

Which left me with trying to resolve this the political way—by playing this game with Silvano and Khalid.

I drove back to the palace, my mind acutely aware of Lily’s calmness. It would hurt to cut her off. But it was what I would need to do to concentrate once Silvano arrived.

However, I left the link open while I pondered the situation with Khalid.

What are his real motives?

Why did he insist on training Emine and Lily together?

Was it all a ploy to lull me into a false state of comfort? A way to ensure we worked together?

Or did he truly intend for us to become partners?

I could approach this a few different ways. I could wait until Silvano arrived and be honest about Khalid’s offer for the sovereign position, then tell him I’d only played along because I’d been trying to ascertain his true motives.