Page 123 of Their Blood Rite

There’s a flicker of guilt in her eyes. She steps back. It’s then I see a ring on her finger.

‘You’re…’ Bile rises in my throat. ‘You’re engaged to him?’

‘Proudly so.’ She straightens. ‘Cole chose me. I will be the coven leader’s wife.’ She steps close, hatred on her face and loathing in her words. ‘How could you leave when you know what you have to do? The fate of our coven lies on your shoulders.’

‘I will not die for a bunch of people who made my life a living hell,’ I hiss back in equal measure. ‘For a friend who betrayed me. A father who abandoned me. And a pathetic male who fucked you as I was being tortured.’

‘You have no one else to blame but yourself for what is to come. That monster will not marry you, Ashe. You will be back home by the time the snow falls.’ She looks me up and down with a sneer. ‘And no one will save you. They do not care for you. Vampires only hate us, and I don’t care what you have told the human king. You are not happy. You are frightened. Alone. Doomed. Come back to us. We will end it quickly.’

An arm wraps around my waist and pulls me in. Her eyes widen and terror shimmers in her eyes.

‘You good, Ashe?’ Archie asks.

‘Fine,’ I reply.

He smiles at her. But not a warm smile. Not in the slightest. She actively shudders.

‘So this is Thalia?’ he asks, looking her up and down. He scoffs. ‘Is she upsetting you?’

I shake my head, but I’m sure he knows the truth. His arm tightens around me.

‘If you make her cry, Thalia, or upset her, annoy her, or make her angry, I will visit your family personally. Am I clear?’

She hastily nods, and tears brim in her eyes.

‘She’s put up with your coven’s sadistic cruelty for long enough. We will not allow her to suffer another second. So hear me when I say… Ashe is well protected.’

She steps back, only to meet Dorian’s chest. He growls. She yelps, drops her wine and stumbles, looking between the two men.

Dorian steps towards her. ‘And when Cole passes you around, no one will save you. Ashe is home, and if she ever needs saving, we will follow Shaw into the pits of hell to bring her back.’

She looks at me desperately as if pleading for help.

‘I am happy,’ I smile, filled with overwhelming pride and appreciation for these two coming to my aid like this. ‘I am not frightened of them, and I assure you, I am far from alone. And if you or the coven try to take me back, I will ensure the only doomed ones will be you.’

A hand slides in mine. Shaw kisses my hand, looking at me like the most devoted lover I have ever seen.

‘Sorry to have been away from you for so long, my love,’ he says softly, taking my hand and facing her. ‘Is she bothering you? Please, say yes.’

‘No. She’s not bothering me,’ I reply. ‘Fuck off, Thalia.’

She leaves to join Cole, who is watching us all with a look that could kill.

Her arm links with his, and both look at me with murderous intent.

‘I am so fucking proud of you, Pixie,’ Shaw admires, kissing my cheek. His hand settles on my hip as he looks down at me. ‘You have some balls on you, saying what you said and holding your ground.’

‘Not quite the timid little mud witch you thought, huh?’

‘I never thought that for a second. Not a damn one.’

He leans down and rests his lips on mine, kissing me softly. His eyes remain open.

‘Kiss me back, Pixie.’

I lean into his kiss, sliding my hand through his hair as he towers over me.

Behind, Cole is red with rage as he looks on.

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