“Griffin and Ross, you stay and clean up. I want them on spikes. Ten feet high. We need to send King Katar a little message.” Using his good arm, he pulled her towards him. He was so tense it felt like his body had been carved by granite.
“Spikes as in?”
“Do not concern yourself female, but know that I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Unfortunately she could guess. Dead bodies and spikes. The elf king would get his message alright. She was just glad she wasn’t Griffin or Ross at the moment.
Chapter 9
Lance and another big guy climbed in to the front of the vehicle, Tanya slid in next to Zane in the back. She tried to readjust her boobs without anyone noticing and then pulled on the hem of her dress trying to cover as much thigh as possible.
“Leave it alone.” Zane pulled her onto his lap. The sliding motion had the dress riding way up. “Much better.” His low growl had her nipples tightening and darned if he didn’t notice. She watched in horror as he palmed her breast, making a low rumbling noise as he did it. Everything in her tightened. It felt so good. Too good.
Tanya tried to wriggle away. Zane hissed. His face contorted in pain. She realized she’d knocked his shoulder.
“Stay still, Ysnaar.”
“It serves you right. Stop groping me.”
“I haven’t even begun to…grope you. If you’d like I could…” His eyes had moved back down to her chest.
“No that’s okay. What does Ysnaar mean anyway?”
“The direct translation is feisty one. I have never met a female like you before. You want me, yet you keep pushing me away.” He frowned as he spoke.
“I do not want you. I am a one man kind of woman and since I already slept with Brant…”
Zane snarled. His fangs lengthened. His irises flashed red for a second or two. Tanya cowered, covering her face with her hands. His body shook beneath her as he snarled a second time.
His little outburst was over before it began. His warm hand cupped her chin. “Do not ever be afraid of me. I would never harm you.”
“Don’t do that again.”
“I can’t promise that I won’t react that way in the future, but I’ll never hurt you.” His eyes were locked with hers. “I don’t like the thought of another man touching you, let alone rutting with you.” He released her chin and looked outside the window for a few beats. “I’ve never cared before. I’ve even shared females in the past but the thought of you with him…” Zane shook his head, his dark eyes bore into her. “I don’t understand it. Must be because Brant is a birth enemy or it could be because you are my future mate.”
“I’m not your future mate. I’m not even sure I want Brant as a mate. I didn’t ask for any of this.”
“The system isn’t fair. Hell, life isn’t fair. Yet it is important that you know that the future of one of our covens is at stake. You must choose or we will fight to the death for you.”
It didn’t seem right or fair at all. It didn’t matter which way she turned, which vampire king she chose, one of the covens would be doomed without an heir regardless.
Zane chuckled, the sound sad. It chilled her from the inside out. “It gives me hope to hear you say that you have not yet chosen Brant.”
“I don’t understand. Surely there will be strong vampires born to your coven. They may not be of royal descent, but surely they will be able to lead your people.”
Zane skimmed his hand over her skin stopping only when he was under her dress, on the side of her thigh. “That’s the problem, all of our males are dominant and strong, they will all vie for the position. It is not in our blood to submit unless faced with royal blood. Once I am gone, an all-out war amongst the males is inevitable.” He casually caressed her skin as he spoke. Were all vampires good with their hands? Goose flesh broke out on her skin as he slid higher in tender circles.
“I see. Why couldn’t a female lead?”
“We lead with both mind and fist. Females are not as strong physically. Any female that tried to take the throne would be slaughtered.”
“That’s barbaric.”
He shrugged and winced at the movement.
“Don’t vampires heal quickly?” She looked at how his shirt stuck to the area. His wound must still be bleeding. It was hard to tell though because his shirt was black.
“This would normally heal within an hour or two, but the poison has slowed the process.” His eyes narrowed. “It may be barbaric”—he raised his eyebrows—“but it is the way of our people and not about to change any time soon.” She had to suppress a shiver as he circled higher.