House of Kings(23)

Rath is human. He has to be with his ability to go out into the day without hesitation.

“Okay,” I say, trying to sound brave and strong. “I’ll see you tonight.”

He gives me a little thin-lipped smile and presses a very brief kiss to my forehead before walking back out.

I’ve just turned away from the door when Cyrus walks inside.

“I see your friend has retuned,” he says as he closes it behind him. He removes his sun goggles, the ones that are very similar to the set Raheem has. His skin has reddened, because he’s been out in the sun so little that any exposure is brutal.

I’ll be that way soon, too.

“He’s gone to get food and supplies,” I say as I stand before him. “How is your new project going?”

“Surprisingly well,” he says with a smile. “Apparently, one of the Bitten was one of the contractors you hired to do your little housing development. He knew how to take charge and where to raid for building supplies.”

I raise my eyebrow at the word “raid” and Cyrus sees that. “I’ll be sure to cut them a check for their help in rebuilding the Conrath House.”

“Thank you,” I say, giving him a pointed look. I turn away from him, and my stomach sinks. “Now, um, we have a bit of a complication.”

“I assume you mean me as that complication.” Danielle walks out from the library and leans in the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Ah,” Cyrus says. “I worried you weren’t completely dead.”

Danielle shakes her head with a scoff. “Asshole.”

“You’ll watch your tongue,” I scold her. “This man is your King and ruler and it would be wise for you to not anger him.”

“As you say, princess,” Danielle says, malice rolling off her in waves.

“She is a feisty one,” Cyrus says as he takes a step toward her. “Isn’t she? She doesn’t seem near as confused and disoriented as most of the Bitten.”

“She already knew about the vampires,” I state. “She seems to understand quite a lot.”

Cyrus makes an acknowledging sound before turning his back on her, as if to dismiss her. But she doesn’t leave. “Do you have the traitor secured?” he asks as he turns back to me.

“She’s not going anywhere.” I listen for sounds of Jasmine inside the well, but there aren’t any. The well is like a dead zone.

“Good,” he says. He takes my hand in his. “Now come. After all that work, I am tired and would like you to join me in your chambers.”

The look on Danielle’s face is appalled. And I’m ashamed for just a moment, before I remind myself I am her ruler and sire. “Don’t leave the house,” I tell her as Cyrus begins leading me up the stairs. “And don’t break anything. I expect you to behave.”

She glares at me all the way up the stairs until she falls out of view.

Together, hand in hand like we are indeed husband and wife, we walk down the hall, past the rooms of many others. Open the door, and step inside.

I feel the pressure. The intensity of what this should be. The two of us. The expectations built over centuries.

Cyrus and I go through our routine again of brushing teeth, changing into pajamas. And I tuck myself into his side in my bed.

He runs a hand up my cheek, into my hair, studying my lips.

“Have any memories begun to surface yet?” he asks quietly.

“Not yet,” I whisper back. And that spell he’s had over me since he arrived a week and a half ago, it seems to be weakening. I am pulled to the King, my body is certainly reacting to his closeness. But I don’t find myself hoping memories of a past life will surface. “Cyrus, what will you do if I am not Sevan?”

His fingers tangle in my hair and he pulls me closer to press a kiss to my forehead. “I will keep looking. For that is all I can do.”

And with no more words, we settle into the darkness behind my closed off windows. Cyrus holds me close. And I lie with the man I am certain is not my husband.





CYRUS STILL SLEEPS WHEN I wake, not three hours later. I swear I hear the front door open and close. Careful not to wake the King, I slip out of the bed and pad down the stairs in my pajamas.

A trail of snow rushes into the foyer. My enhanced hearing identifies two bodies in the library.

My heart thunders in my chest when my eyes catch sight of Raheem. His eyes rise to meet mine from beneath those thick, dark lashes and a smile cracks his lips. Suddenly, I’m back in the middle of the road in town, just three days ago. And I want more of our forbidden kisses.

“You’re back,” I breathe.

“I told you it wouldn’t take me long,” he says. The smile fades as he gets control over his desire. And he has to. Because sitting in a chair in the corner, is Danielle. And standing just to the side of Raheem, is another man.