Page 28 of Dormeo
“Not hiding, Lily, I’ve been right here the entire time.”
She briefly lifts her gaze from Rose and gives me a tight, knowing smile. “Not the entire time, brother.”
Rose frowns, not knowing anything about my trips out in the dead of night to dispatch whatever wannabe Prince Charming has landed on our shores, trying to steal away the precious collateral I’m eager to ensure remains in my company for at least the next two weeks.
“I didn’t understand it. Why is my brother holed up in his room, not partaking in his usual social activities, and sneaking out in the middle of the night without including me in the fun? But this… explains everything.”
Lily takes a deep breath and lifts her arms out from her sides. “Just being here is intoxicating. I can’t even imagine…”
She taps her temple and widens her eyes, giving me a mischievous smile that looks slightly deranged. Her gaze snaps back to Rose, who flinches and shuffles back in her seat, her back pressing against the leather cushions, as she attempts to distance herself from my sister’s intensity as she moves toward her.
“No.” I snap loudly, coughing to soften my tone as I finish my warning. “Don’t you dare.”
Lily stops, hand outstretched, and turns her head slowly to face me. “Feeling possessive, Ash?”
Narrowing my eyes at her troublesome meddling, I grit my teeth. “Father has tasked me with keeping her safe and secure. Nobody is to touch her, including you.”
My sister straightens and laughs, loudly, tossing her auburn hair off her shoulder as she steps back. Even she isn’t immune to Rose’s allure.
“Oh wow. This is going to be fun,” Lily chuckles.
Ignoring her comment, I step closer to Rose, blocking my sister’s access. She’s not normally violent, but she does like to cause trouble, and now that she can tell Rose is a sensitive subject, this won’t be the last time she tries to get at me by toying with the human.
“Is there something else you wanted?” Or did you just come here to annoy me? I leave the last part unsaid, but she knows what I’m really saying.
With a roll of her eyes, she rests one hand on her hip and examines the long red nails on the other, looking bored with this visit now that I’ve ruined her fun.
“Another ship approaches, laden down with soldiers this time. Gaap is busy, so I’m here to lend a hand. I could do with having a little fun, it’s so dull around here.”
Fuck. I hesitate, about to tell her that her assistance isn’t required, but then I stop myself. If I refuse Lily’s help, and don’t let her indulge in her blood lust, at least a little bit, she’ll find another way to entertain herself. Most likely, at Rose’s expense.
“Fine. You can tag along. But this is quick and clean, Lily. No playing with your prey today.”
Lily pouts, her full red lips puffing out in a sulky frown. “Such a buzzkill,” she mutters, looking to Rose for confirmation. Rose blinks rapidly, looking from Lily to me, then back again.
“Barghest will stay with you. DO. NOT, and I mean, DO. NOT. Open the door for anyone.”
Rose nods frantically, terrified there’ll be a repeat of last time, but when the hellhound jumps onto the sofa and curls up on the far end, she relaxes slightly, digging her hand absentmindedly into his fur, ignoring the flames dancing over her skin as she pets him.
Strapping armour and weapons to my chest quickly, I'm about to usher my sister out the door when I hear Rose’s curious voice.
“What does she mean,this time?”
I freeze, hand on the door, and my sister gasps, then lets out a disbelieving giggle. “Oh, this is precious. The powerful princess doesn’t even know her bodyguard has been killing off every hero who’s dared come to her rescue.” With a mocking sneer, she turns to Rose. “You hardly thought Ash was your knight in shining armour, did you?”
Without turning to look at Rose’s face, I can feel her horror. Still, this is what I must do to keep her safely here for the next two weeks.
It’s not because I enjoy despatching these arrogant idiots who want her for her land rather than her strong spirit. Or that I want to make sure I get every day I’m due with her, without sharing her attention with some cowardly Lord who’s let his soldiers fight his way to her feet.
“Ash?” Rose's voice is small.
Ignoring her confusion and hurt, I shove Lily out the door in front of me.
“Don’t forget where you are, Rose. Make sure this stays closed, or I can’t be responsible for what happens to you.”
14
ROSE
