Page 43 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

I smile cheekily. “You might not like me, but I certainly likeyou.”

She glares, not stopping her tirade. “Nor do you have any right to intercede in my affairs, whatever they may be. I don’t need you defending me when I’m capable on my own.”

“Perhaps,” I concede. “Tell me. Howdoyou defend yourself?” Stepping close, my chest brushes her cloak. “I’ve seen you, kitten. I’ve seen your fingers darken. I’ve seen the lust of blood in your eyes.” Lifting her hand, the pale pink still marking her fingertips, I wink. “You can tell me. We’re all beasts here.”

She bristles at the nickname, tugging free of me, cheeks red. My grin grows. This little kitten is uncomfortable with intimacy and that might play into my grand plans.

“You’re a beast—a DarkFae,” she bites out. “You’re amonster. Killing is in your nature. You say you left that gift for me, but we both know that you gave into your baser instincts to satisfy your cravings.” Stepping away, she exhales, as if composing herself. “I’m nothing like you.”

“No?” I laugh, crossing my arms. “You forget, pet, I’ve seen you.” My eyes fall to her hands. “I’ve seen what you can do. I’m not theonlymonster in these halls.” Tsking, I shake my head. “It’d be horrible should someone find out what I know.”

My words drain the color from her face, though she continues to glare. She’s quitedefiant, this one.

“What do you want, heir?”

I hold up my hands, leaning to whisper in her ear. “Just tell me what you are.”

Most people cannot handle me—who I am, my reputation. This stubborn woman, glares at me, willing me to burst into flames instead of answering my question. I can’t help but grin.

“I’m a blood summoner,” she snaps. “Happy?”

“Ecstatic.”

“What will you do now?”

I shrug again, looking down at her. “Nothing.Yet.” My fangs dip over my bottom lip and her eyes widen. “But we’ll see what the morning brings, shall we?”

Growling at my arrogance, she steps away. I think she’s done with our little conversation, but she stops suddenly, spinning on her heel to ask me, “Why?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Because I’m naturally curious.”

Rolling her eyes, she sighs. “No. Why,him? Why bother?”

The unnamed questions linger in the air.

Why care? Why care abouther?

My stomach twists, an odd sensation of warmth pooling at the vulnerable look in her eyes. Has no one ever cared about her before?

“Whynothim?” I glance away, looking to the starry sky. “I’m not a fan of males who would take from someone weaker than them—and I despise men who would take from a woman without consent. But from you?” I look back, winking. “It was poor form to try to take from a woman who intrigued me.”

“That’s all?” She’s not sure.

“What is it you think happened, pet?” I ask, running a hand over my tired face. “That after I slaughtered our foes, I found him on the battlefield, and a sudden image of what he tried to do to you compelled me to kill him? That the mere thought that he might have taken your body for his own pleasure was enough to force my hand, drive me to kill him?” The words are whispered, though no less cruel. “Don’t flatter yourself, kitten. You’re not that important to me.”

Her eyes turn guarded, body tight with rejection, but I hold firm.

I cannot tell her that when I saw him, I needed to rid the world of his presence because hedaredto touch her. That I wanted to give her a moment of peace, and if I could do that by killing him, draining him, then I would. But I couldn’t say any of that.

I’ve just met the woman—what would that say about my impeccable control to fall so easily to simple whims to make her happy?

Those blue eyes bleed of all emotion, a cool, emotionless mask falling over her proclaim face.So I’m not the only one good at schooling my features.

“Good night, heir.”

The damn vixen disappears around the corner and my beast roars at the loss of her, echoing inside my skull.

Snarling, I shove it deeper into its cage, mentally forcing more strength into my shields. He’s a bit untamable since coming to this palace and I’ll need the extra measures to keep him locked away.