Page 115 of The Vampire's Mercy

“I know. Now come.”

Ooo, gladly. “Come?”

“Follow me, Paris.”

“You know he’s jealous?”

“Yes. Now move.”

Ugh. Happy to play two elves against each other, huh?

Damn prick.

“Wait,” I said as he turned his back on me.

He glanced at me over his shoulder. “What?”

“What happened just now?”

“Sorry?”

“You went into a bit of trance.”

“I did?”

“Yeah.”

He faced away from me. “That’s not your concern. Now hurry up.” He snapped his fingers, a command trilling through my body.

Obedient thrall mode activated.

“And I want you to remember this,” he added. “Don’t do anything you don’t want to do. Nothing will be forced on you.”

I’m going to puke.“O-okay.”

Opulent gold lanternsglimmered in sconces fixed to terracotta walls. Purple drapes were drawn closed against the night, and a sea of red, orange, and teal cushions spread out around me. Scattered randomly, filling the central part of the circular room, each one was big enough to accommodate half my body. A plush red sofa made up the edges of the room, more cushions sitting on it.

Wow. A room without the usual black-and-red décor.

At the north side of the room was a raised dais and a throne of onyx and rubies, more cushions dotted around it.

“This is the feeding room?” I asked, the space currently empty.

“Take off your shoes and find yourself a cushion.”

He went to the throne, taking a seat.

Apprehension now a drum in my chest, I obeyed and parked my butt on a teal cushion. Nerves dragging over hot coals, I waited, hands clasped together.

Elio arrived first, accompanied by a vampire woman with an amazing set of pink curls. Wow. What a shade.

They both acknowledged me with tepid enthusiasm, then went to kiss the king’s arse. He offered his hand, which they kissed as they knelt before him.

The woman took a seat on the sofa, while Elio sat on a purple cushion beside the king. He smiled at me kind of triumphantly.

Ugh. His envy thing was now officially old.

Wouldn’t it be funny if the mortal attack came tonight? That’d really shit on everyone’s plan.