King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(44)

“Good afternoon to you,” Sorin said, and though he was being playful, Daroc’s eyes widened, and he hesitated.

“I’m sorry,” Daroc mumbled. “Good afternoon.”

I looked between them, thinking how odd it was that they were still so awkward…hundreds of years later.

Sorin rolled his eyes. “It is, thank you.” Then he looked to me as he bowed. “Another time, my queen.”

Sorin left, and when my gaze returned to Daroc, he was staring at me, his lips pressed thin, a hard line between his brows. I got the feeling he did not trust me, and that was just as well, because I did not trust him.

“Any news from Lara?” I asked, wondering what had transpired since Commander Killian had returned to High City with Gavriel. I was anxious about how my father would handle the massacre at Vaida and could not deny that I dreaded the rumors that would spread. It was inevitable, no matter the truth, that vampires would be blamed, and normally, that would not bother me, except now it did. And it had nothing to do with Adrian’s kindnesses and everything to do with how my people thought of me since my marriage.

I hated to imagine an even greater divide between me and my people.

“None,” he said. “Perhaps today.”

Daroc excused himself, and I turned my attention to the sky. Above me, the clouds were white and wispy, but tendrils of red bled through like blood in water. I followed those threads to the horizon, where the shades of red stained the sky. I would be beneath that sky within hours, within the borders of Revekka, surrounded by an enemy who sustained their lives by stealing mine. I did not know the politics of Adrian’s court, did not know if vampires could ever respect a mortal queen, but I would do my best to survive.

No, not just survive, I thought. Conquer.

“Mourning the sun?”

I turned to find Adrian standing beside me. I found his question strange, considering the direction of my thoughts.

“A little less,” I admitted and then said something that even shocked me. “Since you seem to keep your promises.”

I was offering him as much as I could give—a kernel of trust that was as valuable as a blade in our world—but also reminding him of his vow.

His eyes seemed to glint at my compliment, but I frowned, wondering how long until I was left feeling like a fool for my belief in a monster.

Adrian held out his hand.

“Come,” he said. “I am eager to depart. We will be in Revekka soon.”

Taking his hand was easier now. His fingers closed around mine, and when he settled behind me in the saddle, a warmth bloomed in my chest that flushed my face. I was glad that my back was to him so he could not see how his touch was affecting me. I could hardly be blamed with thoughts of last night fresh on my mind. Even now as I recalled our passion, phantom threads of pleasure twisted through my body, and I shivered.

Adrian’s hand came around my stomach, and he pressed me tight against him, his mouth near my ear.

“As eager as I am to be within my kingdom, I will delay our progress if you continue to think these thoughts.”

I turned my head slightly, his lips close to mine.

“Am I hearing that you are not as eager for me?”

His answering chuckle sent a thrill through me, and then his hand lowered, dipping between my thighs as his mouth closed over my shoulder, teeth scraping through my clothing.

“Adrian.” His name escaped between my teeth, and I inhaled.

“Yes, my queen?”

“What are you doing?”

“Proving myself,” he answered and jerked my head toward his, fingers digging into my skin as he parted my lips with his tongue. He tasted cold but sweet as he kissed me hungrily while cupping my heat with his other hand. It was indecent. It was carnal. It was lust. I didn’t want it to end, but as that thought blossomed in my mind, he released me all at once, and I was left dizzy and aroused as he urged Shadow forward into the thick of the woods, putting distance between us and his army, still making our way toward Revekka. Now all I could focus on was the hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. My fingers curled into my palms as I thought of how I wanted to be full of him.

“Hold on to that passion, Sparrow. I will make you sing again.”

I did as he guided me against him, my head resting on his shoulder. He drew his cloak about us and lifted my tunic, hand dipping beneath my leggings, where his thumb brushed my clit. I heaved a sigh that shook my bones.

“Are you always this insatiable?” he whispered against my ear.

I swallowed hard and answered truthfully—there was no reason to merely think it. He would hear, though I kept the answer short, clipped. It slipped between my teeth angrily. “Since you,” I said.

Even so, he rewarded me, sliding into me while his thumb teased and circled. The closer I came to release, the harder he breathed, the more kisses he peppered down my face and neck. He stayed deep, curling inside me, and as my muscles clenched around him, he siphoned pleasure from me until I came.

When he was finished, he pressed a kiss to my temple, and it sent a strange rush through me. It was the first time he had kissed me like that, but I felt as if I’d been here before—held by him, touched by him, just like this. It wasn’t just the action, it was the way he had done it—gentle and sure, as if to ask are you all right?

I lingered on those thoughts as we slowed our pace so the soldiers and their vassals could rejoin us, and then I fell asleep in his arms.