Page 100 of Gilded Wicked Mirrors
Quinn’s eyelids drifted closed. She was far too tired to hold them open.
A silence followed before Emrys finally answered the question. “I found her covered in dirt and bleeding out in an alley with vampire wounds.”
“How charming . . . just your type,” the queen mocked. “And were you the vampire that attacked her?”
“I thought we agreed to stop antagonizing each other,” Emrys said.
“Fine.”
Emrys's tone softened, and he switched the topic. “Olivia, rogue vampires are killing people. Newly created vampires.”
“That is problematic,” the queen said. “So, we finally have the true motive for the mirror thefts?”
“I thought you would be happier to know why yo—” Emrys started and either trailed off or Quinn lost consciousness for a moment.
A deep, hollow silence split the air like lightning, immediately followed by thunder.
“What nefarious plans are you plotting, princeling?” the queen asked. “You must have something up your sleeve.”
“Oh, Olivia, let the boy be.” Another set of footsteps approached from behind. “You have far more important things to worry about than what Emrys is doing with his days.” The voice was soft, feminine, and sparkling with kindness. The complete opposite of the queen’s voice.
“And I would suggest that my more important duties are directly related to the plans stewing beneath his charming facade.”
Oh, Quinn liked her.
Quinn lifted her eyes slightly. Emrys squared his shoulders and smiled at the princess. “Mother.”
More footsteps clicked against marble, and a voice as wicked as the sea said, “Oh, blasted mirrors, why is that thing here?” The words belonged to Quinn’s true nemesis, Countess Teagan Atwater. “Is it not enough that you force me to watch over her? Now, you must bring her into my home as well.”
“I would watch your tone.” Emrys’s voice was liquid fire.
One of them sniffed the air.
“You marked her?” Countess Teagan’s voice rippled with shock and a tinge of fear. “How? You’re not dead.”
“I don’t know,” he said defensively. “But she was going to die. I had to try something.”
This time, the silence was thick and sticky like honey. But not nearly as sweet.
“Do you have feelings for the girl?” the countess asked, scorn soaking her tone.
Quinn slightly lifted an eye. She was far too curious about that question. Emrys flashed his claws and fangs, which caused her to shut her eyes tight, far too stimulated by the light and the weight of his anger.
Emrys’s voice was coated with venom as he said, “Don’tinsinuate something so—”
“Woah, calm yourself, prince,” the countess bit back. “I, of all people, know you could never care about anyone.”
“I cannot have feelings for any woman. I have my duty.” His voice was a midnight wildfire. “And if I did, it would not be—”
“Methinks, the Lord doth protest too much.” Amusement lingered in the princess’s words.
He bristled. Quinn felt his every muscle tense, but instead of denying it again, he changed the subject. “I think I’ve had enough of you three gawking, and I'll be on my way.”
Quinn wasn’t sure what happened next, but eventually, Emrys walked to a room. He gently placed her into bed before saying, “Leave us.” Someone followed him.
“Should I be concerned about the lady’s chastity?” the queen asked with a lilt in her accent.
Emrys growled again.
