Page 99 of The Vampire's Mercy

“That won’t be necessary,” I answered.

Torture had to be a last resort.

“The offer’s there,” he answered, sounding disappointed.

Deep down, did he also find me weak?

I pondered my next move. I didn’t want to return to my chambers yet, not with Paris’s sexual energy still in the air. But I couldn’t stay here. I had to be proactive. This might be the time to finally speak with the prisoners downstairs.

“And remember, mortals die easily,” Vaughn added. “If Paris’s usefulness expires, pitch him off your balcony.”

A flicker of anger, twinned with envy, came to me. “Yes…” I bit out, his response amusing yet irritating.

The curse made me feel this way, tainting the thrall bond. Forcing me to say words like sweetcream, and making me feel conflicted over the elf when I should only harbor hate.

Vaughn got to his feet. “I’ve already taken up too much of your time. I’ll leave you be. But let me suggest this, if you’ll let me?”

I uncrossed my legs, resting my hands on my thighs. “Go on.”

“Rub it harder in their faces by letting him be more relaxed.”

Interesting. “What do you mean?”

“Drop the uniform,” he said. “Let him appear by your side in jeans and T-shirt.”

I don’t know why I found that so delightful, but I did. “I think you’re on to something there.”

He winked. “I know, I’m a genius.” My friend left the ballroom with a bow.

A few minutes later, with a smile stretching my lips, I headed to the dungeons.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

SILVANUS

The vampire slammed himself into the bars of his cell, having the audacity to spit at his king.

His globule of saliva missed me, but this was a terrible affront to the one who kept him alive.

My guards surged forward but I lifted a hand to stop them.

I folded my arms, considering him, all of them. The other seven vampires cowered in the corner of the large cell, having lost their usurping luster after being thrown into this dank, lightless place.

One of the men begged their mouthpiece to stop while a woman cradled him in her arms.

Killing them would hurt me, a pain beyond grief and sorrow. But if I had to cross the line, I would.

“You’re a pathetic coward!”

“Gilbert!” a different vampire wailed.

He growled, spitting behind him before turning his eyes back to me. “Weak and broken. What sort of life is this, living under a king who won’t kill and fucks with our heads? Living in a softworld where we cannot hunt? You need to step aside and let someone with bigger balls rule. So many vampires think this.”

Absolutely. From him to the highest of nobles. Force me to become a powerless monarch, a king in name only. Goodness, these idiots were ridiculous. Why did they want a tyrant ruling with a violent fist? How did another war serve anyone? Because there would be war if I broke the peace accords.

“How were eight of you supposed to kidnap me?” I asked. “Shouldn’t you have come in greater numbers?”

Gilbert gave me such an acerbic sneer I felt it curdle in my veins.