Page 109 of The Vampire's Mercy

Whatever.

“I’ll talk you through the feeding steps after breakfast,” Elio said, his tone hesitant.

Forced to be by my side, to make sure I followed the rules when really, he’d love to cut my head off with a butter knife.

“Thanks.” I took a bite of my shortbread and sipped on my coffee, wishing the day would slow down.

My anxiety was beginning to bubble harder the closer we got to the feeding. It didn’t help being around Silvanus all the time. Even though he hadn’t said much to me these past three days, he’d been making a yummy treat of himself just by, well, existing. Often in a vest or a tight muscle tee, he would sit and read, the room’s soft lighting perfect for him. He projected a serious amount of charm, and I found myself falling for it. I was a real sucker for a hot guy in tight leather trousers.

Of course, I clapped back with a heavy dose of resistance by testing the muzzle on me, waiting for it to snap.

If I didn’t want to kill him, I’d be the easiest lay he’d ever had.

Turns my stomach.

Correction: Turns meon.

I gulped more coffee, my foot tapping, my muscles aching with tension. The bloodthirst stirred, anticipation and dread colliding. I didn’t want any part of this feeding, but I needed the king’s blood to survive. Craved it. Wanted another hit, to feel that rush of healing sexiness again. And my guess was that the whole thing would play out in a sexual way, like regular vampire feedings.

Hello, orgy.

Damn.

I pictured Silvanus with no top on, offering his wrists to me while I was on my knees. Begging him, completely submissive to his whims.

Trying not to gag, and ignoring the heat between my legs, I got up to pour more coffee.

A rumble shook the room, throwing me off balance. I staggered to the side, bumping into a chair.

“What the hell?”

A second, more violent quake shook the chandeliers, everyone jumping to their feet. The guards sprang into action, evacuating the dining room. They answered no questions, barking orders to get to our rooms.

Yeah, right.

I pushed my way through the throng, reaching the window.

“Get out of here!” a woman roared at me, but got distracted by someone making a fuss about spilling tea down his outfit.

What a prick.

I saw the streak of ice cutting through the ocean, heading for the horizon. I squinted against the bright sun, pressing myforehead to the glass. Was it the same frostbrood from the other night in the saltmarshes?

A waterborne frostbrood big enough to cause a tremor like this would be seriously bad if it attacked.

“It appeared a month ago,” Elio answered from beside me.

When did he get here? “Really?”

The icy streak vanished.

“It always disappears before anyone can kill it,” he said. “Never attacks.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Why is the king staying here with it hanging around?”

“Because there are contingencies in place to blow it apart. Big breaker cannons ready to tear any threat apart.”

I looked at him. “Right. Okay. So why haven’t they blown it apart already?”