Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I bit my lip.
“If you leave, I have no doubt that he’ll erupt into a monster, chase you to the borders, and trap you. It will kill him inside, but he’ll do it.”
I shook my head. “I don’t believe you. You don’t know him if you think that.”
“I know what it is to be a ripening prince, little queen.” His lips curled into a smile that appeared scary on his eyeless face. “I know what it is to have a queen with your power.”
My heart boomed in my ears.
“There’s nothing that compares to it in life. For a ripening prince, being with his first queen is addictive and intoxicating, but even worse, it’s a must to be near her. The first queen’s blood is the only food that nurtures us during the ripening.”
“If I hid in Charki, could I deliver my blood to him so that he would continue to be strong and fed?”
“A vial versus the sensation of piercing your warm flesh? A sip from a glass instead of his fangs on your breast and your taut nipple against his tongue?” Ian edged closer to me. “A vial won’t replace the taste of your sex or the swell of your cunt as it moistens under his fingers.”
My breathing increased.
“Xander won’t let you go. Give me your blood. I can help keep him calm.”
My hands formed into fists. “I don’t know if I can trust you.”
“Why not? Have I brought you ill will?”
“Who is the woman with the same hair and blood as me?”
His face turned away from mine as he sighed. “You mean who was? Remember. I said she was killed.”
“Yes.”
I bit my lip as he twisted away from me completely. A sudden realization hit me. “She was your queen?”
He nodded.
“I’m sorry that she is dead.”
“Don’t be.” Ian turned his gaze back to me. “You didn’t do it. Plus, it happened long ago. Way before you or my nephew Xander was born.”
“She was a mage?”
“She was.” He ran his fingers across the bed. “Ten drops is all I require right now, and I’ll be your protector for all the days of my life. I’ll tell you everything you want to know about my queen and my brother. Give me more blood later and I’ll help you get to Charki and take care of Xander while you’re gone.”
“But you can’t leave the sewer,” I argued. “How could you get me there or protect me?”
“I’ve been in these sewer tunnels for over a century. I know many paths to Charki. Some were closed during the war, but I reopened them.” He turned back to me and gently grabbed my hand, lifting my thumb to his face. “Ten drops. I pierce your skin. I won’t even drink. I’ll let the blood fall into my mouth.”
“How will we leave? And how will you get me away from Xander if he tries to stop us?”
“Let me work out the logistics.”
“How will you save and protect him?”
“With your blood restoring my body and power, I’ll fight next to Xander. Together we could probably beat and remove my brother from power.”
“Probably?”
“I didn’t live this long by being over-confident. Nai possesses intense power. I can’t promise you victory, but I’ll swear to try my best and die for you both.”
I considered my options. Ten drops of blood was nothing, especially in comparison to the vial of blood I’d just given to Ty and Victoria.
But would he only take that?
Ian was right about two things. He hadn’t harmed me, and he could’ve just taken the blood from me with no problem already.
“Go ahead, but when I say stop, you need to end your drinking.” I put my hand to his rotting lips.
Without further response, he sliced my thumb with one fang.
Pain bit at the wound.
I gritted my teeth as he raised my thumb over his opened mouth and squeezed it until blood surfaced at the wound.
I heard a swift intake of breath come from him.
“Ouch.” I tried to jerk my hand back, but he held it steady over his mouth, greedily waiting for the drop to fall.
The scent of my blood filled the bedroom. Drops leaked into his open mouth.
A groan emitted from his throat so loud I shuddered.
Camille? Xander spoke into my head.
Then, Xander called out from the other room. “Camille?!”
A few more drops spilled out of my thumb, and then Ian dropped my hand.
“Thank you, little queen.” Fast, Ian leaped up to the ceiling. “Give me time and I will return strong and ready to do my duties.”
Movement banged from outside the bedroom.
My heart pounded.
What will Xander do if he catches Ian in here? Will he tear him apart or let me explain?
Chapter 22
Horns
Camille
A door quickly slammed.
I remained sitting up.
I’ll tell him tomorrow when we are up in the city and he can think about this calmly.