Page 45 of A Throne of Blood & Vengeance

I had to admit that this was nice though. All of us together—except Vail. But since he was my least favorite of the group,I didn’t really care. The asshole had betrayed her. One word from me, and I knew my brothers would make him disappear. I wasn’t sure if Samara would like that or not. She acted like she hated him, and every word they exchanged was caustic . . . but I saw the way Vail looked at her when he thought no one was watching.

And I saw the way Samara looked at him a second after he turned away.

It was the same look—full of hurt and longing.

I had no idea what the fuck to do about that. I’d have to ask Kieran or Draven about it later; Alaric was almost as useless as me when it came to navigating emotional clusterfucks.

But that could wait. My family wasn’t back yet, so we could enjoy this peace and quiet a little longer before the world came crashing back in. Maybe I could nap . . .

“What is our priority going to be once we reach House Devereux?”

Of course, Alaric ruined the mellow vibe.

Everyone groaned, and I grinned. I decided Alaric did have his uses after all. He was worse than me at reading the room. It was nice not being the only socially awkward one.

I propped myself up, bending my elbow so I could rest my head on my hand and better see everyone. Alaric stared up at the ceiling, his mouth pressed into a hard line. “We have a lot of problems and no workable plans for any of them.”

I mourned the nap that could have been.

“What? Killing everyone who opposes us isn’t a workable plan?” Draven drawled. “Are your sword skills so lacking?”

“My sword skills are just fine,” Alaric ground out.

Draven gave Samara a pitying look. “It’s good that you have me and Kieran. We’re quite good with our swords—definitely better thanjust fine.”

“Stop antagonizing him,” Samara chided Draven, her expression serious until her gaze collided with Kieran’s, then her resolve crumpled in an instant. She made a sound that was somewhere between a snort and a laugh.

A hand flew to her face to cover it up, and we all stared at her. She did it again.

The irritated look on Alaric’s face was quickly forgotten when he looked away from Draven to gaze down on Samara. A small, close-lipped smile graced his lips. Wow. I hadn’t even known he was capable of smiling.

“It’s not funny,” she grumbled, even as her lips quirked up.

“False.” The corners of Alaric’s eyes crinkled slightly. “It’s adorably funny.”

I chuckled, as did Kieran and Draven.

“Mad at all of you.” Samara sighed before scooting back on the bed until her back rested against the headboard. Then she crossed her legs underneath herself. “Alright, let’s hash everything out.” She chewed her bottom lip, a slight crease forming between her brows.

I knew that look. That was theI have a lot of emotionally heavy shit to drop on everyonelook.

Oh, nap, how I miss you.

“Samara.” Kieran raised his head off Draven’s chest and sat up, mirroring her cross-legged pose. Draven took one look at Samara, released a long-suffering sigh, and maneuvered until he was sitting beside Kieran.

Clearly, they both recognized that expression too.

“What?” Alaric blinked at everyone, confusion etching his features.

“Wow.” I stared at Alaric in wonder. “Someone more clueless than me at reading people.”

Kieran started laughing so hard, tears streamed down his cheeks. Alaric glared at him, then got distracted when Samarabent over and planted an upside-down kiss on his lips. My eyes flicked to Draven, and I found him admiring Kieran, like that laugh was the best thing he’d ever heard.

I knew Alaric still bore a grudge against the prince because of everything that had transpired between him and Kieran. Specifically how Draven humiliated Kieran at an event and then publicly ended their tryst. Alaric and Kieran had been best friends for a long time, and Alaric apparently wasn’t as willing to forgive and forget what Draven had done.

I wasn’t sure how he didn’t see how much Draven loved Kieran though. It was nauseating, really. Kieran and Samara were the prince’sentireworld. If Alaric didn’t figure that out soon, maybe I’d have to clue him in.

I chuckled under my breath. Who would have thought thatIwould ever be in a position to give someone emotional insight?

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