Page 104 of The Midnight Order
Only last week, Lord Celot lost his head over much less than backtalk.
“That’s good to hear because this one isn’t long for this world, are you, sweet girl?” The king’s eyes draw down to the woman lying on his knee as she sobs.
But ever the good girl, she shakes her head. “No, Your Majesty.”
“Mm, it’ll be a shame to see you go, but all things must end. How are your accommodations in the east wing? Charleston tells me you’ve only just arrived back to court.”
“The accommodation is perfect, Your Majesty. Thank you. Yes, I returned as soon as possible with word from my parents. I rode through the night and arrived this morning. I would’ve come to you sooner, but?—”
He cuts my words off with a wave. “Don’t fret, Lord Thorngray. I was otherwise engaged, wasn’t I, sweet girl?”
He grins at the frail human girl, and a sick churn twists my stomach in a knot.
When the woman gets off her knees, King Strixx draws her into his lap, sliding his hand up over her exposed breasts that are covered in fang marks.
I want nothing more than to escape this hell and go back to my chambers, but I haven’t been released yet.
“Was that all you needed, Thorngray?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I reply.
“Well, go on, then. I don’t need an audience while I get rid of this loose end.”
I grit my teeth again, fighting the urge to lose it on him. “King Strixx.” I bow in my middle, backing out of the room.
One never allows a powerful vampire to be at one’s back, no matter who one is.
I breeze through the halls toward the east wing, stopping when I encounter a woman standing before my door.
A human woman, I realize as I get closer and hear the steady thump of her heart.
She’s in a flowing gold gown with her face hidden beneath a massive, brimmed hat.
“Excuse me, are you lost? This is my chamber, and—” She looks up, her beautiful lips colored the barest pink.
“Lowell,” she says.
My knees nearly buckle. “Osanna?!”
Sweeping her into my arms, I lift and twirl her around in the air.
Realizing I shouldn’t be embracing her out in the open, I open my chamber door and shove her inside before crashing my lips to hers, the rush of her blood in the chambers of her heart becoming the only thing filling my ears besides her whimpers that my kiss swallows.
“What are you doing here? How did you get in?”
I sit up as I hear my name shouted. Jasper is at the end of the bed, with Silver beside him.
“What is it? What’s happened?” I ask, wiping sweat from my brow.
Sweat?!
I look at my wet hand, confused by the bodily function altogether.
When was the last time I broke a sweat?
“You wouldn’t wake up. I was so scared,” Silver gives in a quick reply.
Jasper looks at me, concern tugging his features together. “The nightmares are back, then?”
