Page 9 of The Nightbound Soldier

When our king calls, we answer, and El’jah is no exception, not even though he’s the king’s sibling. He’d much rather spend the span in the spa with me, but we’re watched constantly, and people must see us doing exactly as our king says. Of course, Elijah and I disobey and protest and provide Et’enne with counsel, but for the most part, we trust Et’enne’s decisions. He’s made us all wealthy, healthy, and powerful.

Since the Golden Palace hosts many events at night when it’s cooler, most of the time we sleep during the morning and sometimes even into the afternoon. Normally one of us royals host either a brunch or lunch and then dinner. Since Et’enne’s presence at any event draws the most crowds, he’s been entertaining more often than usual this fall season.

We’ve managed to keep over half the world here in the court after the royal wedding by announcing the coronation of our lovely queen, a fate who sees all that’s come to pass.

If anyone would know anything about the vampire I met last night, it would be June, but June would spill to Et’enne, and even if she didn’t tell him I’m asking questions about a notturno, my brother would pry it out of her brain.

I heard that June gives him unobstructed access to her thoughts. She’s gracious and kind and knows what to do with all the power and arrogance that comes with mating my brother.

They’re a power couple, and with all being well in our kingdom, that means the rest of us royals and aristocrats are starting to get bored. Thus when one of my best friends slides into my chambers without knocking or begging entrance, looking like she spent the night with a pack of lycans whose only mission was to please her by wringing dozens of orgasms out of her, I clap my hands. “Tell me all about your night. I want names.”

Evie duckwalks inside as if she’s sore between her legs.

“Definitely names.” I open the doors to the terrace and sit at the swing, patting the spot next to me. The weather this late in the afternoon, while gorgeous at all times of the turn, is exceptionally pleasing as we near winter. A drop in humidity is always welcome.

The Duchess of Victonia makes her way toward the terrace and closes the doors to my chambers. She practically falls onto the swing cushion with me and sighs heavily, her dreamy gaze cast at the sky.

This past summer, her parents sent her to the palace with the task to fetch a husband who would rule the province after her father’s death. But in the time she’s been here, she figured out a lady of wealth needs no husband in order to rule. In fact, a husband might impede her authority and diminish the wealth of her province. Since learning this important life lesson, she has stayed in the palace, waiting out the demise of her disappointed father, who petitioned the court to replace his heir with anyone of our choosing.

Much to her father’s displeasure, the court voted to keep the succession line with whomever is next in line, which means Evie.

Beautiful black locks frame her perfectly oval face, while smears of last night’s makeup under her eyes tell me she’s in need of the kind of quick treatment El’jah and I already applied to ourselves. I pat her knee and walk back inside, where I pick up towels soaked in warm water with herbs and peppermint, then return to sit with her.

“I’m supposed to wait on you, my princess.”

“Good to know you still remember I exist.” I poke her forehead so she tilts her head back, resting it on the back of the swing, which is now facing my chamber. The swing rotates, so when I sit, I can choose to view either the fireplace in the chamber or the sea.

“That feels so good,” she groans when I apply the towel over her face.

“You haven’t slept at all, have you?”

Under the towel, she shakes her head. “Couldn’t. Drank from a vampire last night.”

I gasp. “Evie le Victonia, what would your father say?” Vampire blood makes us more energetic. It’s also been said it numbs the pain and extends the pleasure of sex. I wouldn’t know since I’ve never tasted notturno blood.

“Father would say nothing. He’s dead.”

“Oh, Evie.” I take her hand in both of mine. “When did you find out?”

“Last night.”

No wonder she went all out. “I’m sorry. I pushed off my briefing till later, so I hadn’t heard the news yet. We’ll leave immediately to attend the funeral and get your affairs in order.”

“Thank you.” She lifts the towel and peers at me from under it. “The vampires sure know how to make a girl forget.”

I shake my head. “You shouldn’t use their mind-wiping skills to heal grief. Once it wears off, the grief remains. Wait. Only older vampires can wipe a mind for a night, then give it all back.”

“Mmhm. This one was old.”

I was wrong about the lycans. She spent the night with a vampire. Which one? I’m afraid to ask. The moment I think she might’ve spent the night withmyvampire, I press a hand over my mouth. “I like him.”

Evie removes the towel and blinks. “Who?”

“Nobody.”

“Um.” She wets her dry plush lips by swiping her tongue over them. I pass her my glass of water and she drinks, taking another towel from me and draping it over the inside of her left wrist. “Names, please. If we like the same vampire, then…” She smirks. “We make a sharing pact.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Deal.” For whatever reason, I brace myself.

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