A Kingdom of Venom and Vows (Stars and Shadows #3)(15)

“Don’t fucking play with me, Adara. You will regret it.”

“You made me bleed.” I lifted up my skirts to show him the bloody wound on my thigh. “It seemed only fair that I do the same to you.”

His thumb traced along my chin, gently, almost lovingly, and he ran it along my bottom lip as if he were tracing his own blood away.

“We’re done talking.” His voice was hard, harsh, and it sent the blood in my veins rushing to my ears.

He pulled back from me, and I was finally able to take in a breath of air. I stared at him, his eyes and his face, but he gave nothing away.

He ran his hand down his face as he stood and looked down at me. He seemed to be at war with his own thoughts, but then a grimace took over his lips and he reached down for me. He pulled me toward him with a firm hold on my arm.

He wasn’t careful or gentle as he jerked me to my feet, and I swallowed hard and forced my eyes away from his. He hauled me toward the large bed that sat in the middle of the room, and I dragged my feet against the floor.

“I’m not staying in here.”

He wasn’t listening, though. He pulled me harder, my tired body unable to resist his commands, and he pushed me forward until I sat on the bed before him.

“I said I’m not staying in here.”

“Move.” He nodded toward the head of the bed and crowded my body with his own. “You either get up there and lie down or I’ll do it for you.”

“No.” I shook my head and my hands shot out and pushed against his chest.

“You don’t have a fucking choice, Adara.” He gripped my hands in his and stopped me from hitting him. “Get in the bed.” His voice was an animalistic growl, and when I stared up at him, I noted the thin red ring that formed around his eyes.

“Don’t touch me.” I jerked my hands away from him and crawled up in the bed to get as far away from him as I could.

His knee hit the bed and he crawled in behind me, but I was surprised when he fell back against the mattress and laid his arm against his forehead.

I curled myself into a ball, taking up as little room as I could manage, and I watched Gavril for a long time as his breathing evened out and the fire in the hearth settled to a low thrum of heat.

He didn’t move to touch me, but I didn’t trust him. I stayed like that for a long time. Watching my enemy as I tried to keep my eyes open, but eventually sleep became too hard to resist and it claimed me.





CHAPTER 7





ADARA





I jolted as I awoke and searched the room, but I was alone.

I took a deep breath and looked down at my body. I was still wearing the bloodied dress from the night before, but now an ivory blanket was draped across the length of me and kept me warm.

That fact made my stomach churn. Gavril had cared for me in my sleep. Had he touched me?

There was a small knock at the door, and Eletta entered slowly with a tray of food in her hands.

“Good morning, Adara.” She moved toward me and set the tray of food on the bed at my feet. “The crowned prince ordered me to make sure you were fed this morning.”

I grimaced at her words, but the scent of the meat, eggs, and pastries on the plate made my stomach growl.

“And what else has he ordered?”

She swallowed hard as she looked toward the door. Her words were hesitant and almost frightened. She swallowed hard as she looked toward the door. “You are not to go back to the room he provided. I will be seeing to you in the prince’s room going forward,” she spoke hesitantly, as if she were frightened.

“What a noble prince you serve,” I said sarcastically as I pulled myself up in the bed. My leg ached as I sat up, and I winced from the pain.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

“Oh, yes.” I pulled the blanket down my body to reveal the soiled dress to her. Her face blanched as I lifted my dress and let her look at the wound on my thigh. “Your Highness has been the most caring betrothed.”

“We should…” She stuttered over her words. “We should get that looked at.”

“I’m fine.” I dropped my dress back down against my skin and reached for the glass of water on the tray. I downed every drop of it in one go, and Eletta watched my every movement.

I pressed the glass back on the tray before diving into the food. My stomach was empty and my body weak. As much as I wanted to refuse anything from Gavril, I would be foolish to do so.

“Thank you for bringing this to me.” I didn’t meet her gaze as I picked up the fork and plunged it into the thick slice of ham.

“The prince…” she hedged, and I looked at her, pulling my eyes away from the food. “He’s asking that you meet him in the library. You’re to be there in an hour.”

“He’s asking?” I asked as I raised an eyebrow. “I thought the prince did nothing but demand.”

She stopped to give me a look that would have made me laugh under different circumstances. “Anything the prince asks for is a demand.”

I turned my face back to the plate of food because I knew she was right.

“What is the…” I looked up at her, and I didn’t know if I could trust her with my questions. But she was the only chance I had. “The red power that Gavril has. Where did it come from?”