Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 119694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
As though he can hear my thoughts, Lucian turns slightly, his hand brushing the small of my back in a gesture that is somehow both possessive and reassuring.
Then he speaks to the driver, and his voice is low and lethal.
“You will take careful care of them,” he says. “You will bring them to the orchard and vineyard, and then return them safely to me.”
The driver nods.
“Yes, my Lord,” he says.
Lucian steps closer, his eyes narrowing.
“This is your Queen and her friend—you must guard them with your life. If anything happens to either of them, your head is on the chopping block.”
The driver nods again, his eyes serious.
“Yes, my Lord. I understand.”
Hanna leans closer and whispers,
“Why is he so calm about the whole…beheading thing?”
“Because he believes Lucian,” I whisper back.
“Are we going to be in danger?” she asks.
“Almost certainly not,” Lucian replies before I can answer. “I just like to be certain my Curvy Queen is well protected. Caelen here used to be a Fae assassin in the Briar Court before he came to work for me. He is one of my bodyguards now and considerably overqualified to drive a carriage. However, I like knowing that he’s with the two of you when I cannot be there.”
The driver nods again and I feel a shiver run down my spine. A Fae assassin? The Vampire Don doesn’t do anything halfway, does he?
“Now then—let’s get you ladies settled, shall we?” Lucian asks courteously.
He helps Hanna into the carriage first, his big hand steady on her elbow as she climbs up the small step. Hanna hesitates—just a flicker—and then she’s inside, sinking into the velvet seat.
Then Lucian turns to me.
His gaze softens—his cool and impersonal gaze going warm and possessive. His look makes me blush—I can feel my cheeks heating. God! Why does he have to look at me like that?
He offers me his hand, and when my fingers slide into his, warmth pulses through my skin. His hand is warm and firm and there’s a strength in it that makes me feel protected.
He helps me carefully up into the carriage as if I’m precious to him, making certain I don’t hit my head.
“Careful, my darling,” he murmurs, which makes me feel precious and cherished. In my last situationship (because it was so casual I couldn’t even call it a relationship) the guy wouldn’t even hold the door for me when we went out. The way Lucian is so careful and attentive is new to me. He makes me feel special in a way no other man ever has.
Once I’m inside, he doesn’t step away right away. He lingers at the open carriage door, one hand resting on the frame, the other still holding mine.
Then he lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles, slowly and tenderly, as though he has all the time in the world.
“Have a wonderful time, my darling,” he murmurs. “I hope you enjoy touring my part of the Realm.”
“I’m sure we will,” I say, though I’m not really sure.
Because I remember my first attempt to escape. I remember the creepy streets and the shadows that seemed to watch me. I remember how wrong everything felt, like the world itself was tilted.
But this morning isn’t like that.
The red moon is gone. In its place is that muted red sun, warm enough to take the chilly bite out of the air while leaving just enough crispness for it to feel like Autumn. The golden-red light turns the world into something romantic—almost beautiful. The leaves on the trees shimmer in copper and garnet, and the breeze smells faintly of wood smoke.
And honestly, the idea of taking a horse-drawn carriage ride to go tour orchards and vineyards—and then doing a cheese and wine tasting with one of my best friends—sounds like something out of a fantasy Pinterest board I would have saved back home and never actually gotten to do. So maybe I can give this a chance.
I just hope I’m not losing my heart to the Vampire Don.
Because even as the horses snort and the driver clicks his tongue and the carriage begins to roll forward, I can still feel the press of Lucian’s lips on my hand, like a brand or a promise.
I draw my hand back to my lap, fingertips tingling, and stare out the carriage window as the Crimson Spires recede behind us—less menacing in the red-gold sunlight, but still towering and watchful…still waiting.
And I can’t help thinking—
What if I don’t want to leave when the time comes?
47
Lucian
I remain standing in the driveway long after the carriage has vanished from sight.
The sound of the horses’ hooves fades first, then the creak of the wheels, until all that’s left is the whisper of wind moving through the black iron gates and the distant rustle of leaves under the red sun. The Crimson Spires loom behind me, vast and patient, as they have for centuries—but for once, they feel…empty.