King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(15)

I started to pass Killian, intent on opening the door and demanding that he leave, but he grabbed my arm and jerked me toward him. I lifted my hand and slapped his face, but he didn’t release me.

“Let. Go,” I said between my teeth.

“You do not think I could kill him. I could. I would for you.”

“And I am telling you no. Do nothing for me, Killian. I don’t want it.”

I jerked on my arm, and he loosened his grip.

“Are you telling me you want him?” he asked, a note of disgust in his tone.

“I will not dignify your questions with a response. Not that you would hear me if I gave one.”

I turned from him and swung the door open.

“Leave. Now.”

Killian’s stare was lethal, but he still managed a courteous bow before storming from the room. I stood for a moment, rubbing my sore arm. There were a lot of reasons I’d never consider marrying the commander. Aside from bland sex, he was quick to anger, a trait I never wanted in a husband. I saw it too often among nobility, especially among the kings of the Nine Houses.

Once he was gone, I walked to the window and stared out into the night. It was well past sundown, and every gate that led into High City and the castle grounds would be locked and under guard, though that meant nothing for Killian, and I wondered if his anger was acute enough to send him beyond those gates to attempt his assassination of the Blood King.

I had no faith that Killian would succeed in his effort to kill Adrian, but I wondered what his betrayal would mean for our truce? For the protection Adrian had offered my people? I wanted to ensure they would be safe despite one man’s rogue choice.

I lingered at the window a moment longer before slipping on my cloak, arming myself, and leaving my room.

The cold seeped through my slippers as I made my way out of the servants’ quarters and into the night. I hadn’t exactly decided how I was going to make it past the guards at the gate, and I was no closer to figuring that out when I arrived. Nicolae and Lascar had retired; in their place were two older guards who were not as easily swayed by my charm—one named Avram, the other Ivan.

“Princess,” Avram said. “You best get back to the castle.”

I ignored him. “Has Commander Killian come through these gates?”

“Minutes ago,” said Ivan. “Can we pass along a message?”

I hesitated and tried to look coy, clearing my throat. “I’d rather surprise him.”

The two exchanged a look. Avram looked amused, but Ivan frowned.

“You cannot blame her,” Avram said. “She’s got to marry the Blood King tomorrow.”

By the fucking goddess, I hated asking permission from anyone. Perhaps becoming Adrian’s wife would afford me some level of freedom again.

“At least let one of us escort you to the commander,” said Ivan.

“You said he was minutes ahead of me,” I responded. “I can catch up.”

“There are monsters in the woods, Princess,” Avram warned, as if I did not know.

“I’m armed.”

“If you want the commander, you must have an escort,” said Avram.

“Fine,” I said, haughty, and stepped between the guards. “Come along, Ivan.”

I did not wait to see if he began to follow, but I had chosen him over Avram, who I knew was far more athletic. Ivan would have a harder time catching me when I made a run for the border.

We entered the tree line. There were three paths where the vegetation had been worn down. Each led to a different stronghold on the border of Lara. I did not usually stick to paths when I entered the woods—mostly because I never wanted to be caught by the soldiers who used them.

“He went this way, Princess,” he said, pointing straight ahead.

My stomach dropped a little further. It was the direction of the vampire’s camp.

He isn’t this stupid, I told myself. Though I could not be sure, given how determined Killian seemed to handle me. That being said, Killian was loyal to my father’s orders. I wondered if my father retracted his offer to make me Killian’s bride once he’d decided to make peace with the vampires. Or was it still on the table?

That thought had me walking faster.

Ivan chuckled, already falling behind. “Slow down, Princess. You’ll get there with enough time to say your goodbyes.”

While it was my fault Ivan believed I was headed into the woods to have a tryst with Commander Killian, I still hated the implication in his tone and voice.

I paused abruptly.

“Did you hear that?” I asked.

Ivan went rigid and peered into the night. Slices of moonlight pooled throughout the forest, cutting between the canopy of branches overhead. A part of me felt guilty. Ivan was kind, he meant well, and I could tell he had transitioned, going from playful to soldier, his hand on the hilt of his blade.

“What exactly did you hear, Princess?” he asked, a serious edge to his voice.

“It was a rattling sound,” I said, which was usually a sign that a virika was near. Virika were creatures that moved with the shadows. They were impossible to see until they bared their bloodred teeth. They could be stealthy, unless they were hungry. Hunger made them stupid.

“Follow closely, Princess,” said Ivan.

I let him walk ahead, trailing behind him as I bent to pick up a rock. We continued for a little while longer before I tossed the stone into the wood nearby.