Series: Lords of Rathe Series by Meagan Brandy
Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
I wait for sadness about the truth of my mother's death to hit me, but it never comes. I didn’t know her, so the only sorrow slipping into my bones is for my father. Sure, he was a twisted, murderous maniac in the end, but it could have been different for him, and it’s not like he was human and made the decision to kill. It was deeper than that and beyond his control.
“London, you should know—”
A portal snaps closed, and I jump up from my chair, my eyes flying straight to Knight. Blood stains his face and hair, his eyes dilated black and directly on Odin.
I quickly stand between him and Odin, my hand coming to Knight’s chest. I suck in a breath when I feel the anger in his pulse. When he keeps his eyes locked on Odin, I bring my hand up to his chin, forcing his face down to mine.
“Look at me.”
He doesn’t budge. Blood is Knight’s favorite fucking snack, and he just ate his fill. “Knight.”
He clenches his jaw a few times, before finally dragging his eyes down to mine. Anger, pain, regret? Prominent. The corners soften a little, enough for him to reach around my back and pull me in close.
He rests his forehead against mine, closing his eyes briefly. “Sorry, baby.”
“Having too much fun out there, huh?” I tease, with a raised brow.
He chuckles, leaning down and bringing his lips against mine. Liquid metal touches the tip of my tongue and I feel the fire beneath my skin spark to life slightly.
I put it out with a shake of my head, stepping back. “He has been protecting me all along.”
The corner of Knight’s mouth kicks up slightly. “Yeah?” His hand slides down to cup my ass. “Then I gotta say... he’s done a terrible job.” He looks back over my shoulder, turning me in his grip so I’m facing Odin with him at my back.
“Odin was my father's best friend.”
Knight’s hand moves over my lower belly, and I place mine over his protectively. “Is that right?”
“Knight—”
“Past friendships do not allow you to keep your head.”
Odin leans back in his chair, looking between the both of us. “You guys are very cute together, but I have to ask.” He pushes up from his chair. I don’t have to see the rest of the Lords behind us to know that they’re there. “Are you going to tell her?”
Odin’s words are lost when the crackling sound of electricity breaking through the air snaps and I turn to see another portal opening, this time Legend pushing through, his eyes wild.
“What the fuck is he still doing alive?”
“He’s not a threat,” I answer, keeping my eyes on Odin. “I saw it. He was friends with your father.”
“So fucking what?” Sinner forces past clenched teeth, cocking his head as he rounds the table, ready to pounce.
Vicente enters the room then, stepping between Sinner and Odin. He lifts his chin. “It was King Arturo who trusted Odin to take our future Queen safely to Earth. He is the only reason she made it out of Rathe alive.”
My lips part, and Knight’s hold on me tightens as my eyes connect with Odin’s. He didn’t show me that.
His gaze softens as he stares at me, offering a small smile, but his face goes blank as he faces the brothers once more.
“Still think we should kill him.” Sinner shrugs. “Clean sweep of all council members and all that.”
“Sin—” A laugh bubbles out of me unexpectedly. I reach for him but before I can, the room around me turns to dust and I’m floating up above, lost in the dense sky of dark swirls and bright stars. “Holy shit.”
Knight’s hand comes to the front of my throat, turning me back to face him. My lips almost crash against his from the proximity when I reach up to hold myself up by the back of his neck. Veins swell at the surface of his skin as I drag my finger down the muscles in his arms.
“You skinned him alive...”
“I did.” His hands drop from my lower back, down to my ass. He pushes me up and I try not to look down.
“We’re floating?”
“We are...” He buries his face into the crook of my neck, sending soft whimpers rolling through my body. He must catch them because a growl vibrates against my throat. It wasn’t soft, or gentle. It was animalistic and forceful. It was the sound of a hungry wolf starved to death and finally getting the first taste of blood. It was Knight Deveraux... finally getting me back in his arms with no intention of ever letting me go.
“Why?” I ask, my eyes rolling to the back of my head. I can’t even fight the way my body responds to him if I wanted to. Everything is on fire and nothing else exists but us. Him and I and this moment right here.