ot's

y distractions-including her. The girl with intoxicating blood and defiant eyes. I refused to acknowledge her existence,

ressing harder, testing our defenses. It was nothing unusual-they had always despised our kind. But this time, something felt

ssed together as I stared at the heavy wooden door. The si

," I co

omposed expression slightly t

already anticipating

attempting to break through the barrier." His golden eyes darke

d my jaw.

ed, well-trained. Not just common merce

anted my kind extinct, wanted my head on a silver platter. But I had spent too many years bu

ra," I ordered. "We need to rei

curt nod befo

y kingdom. The kingdom I had built from the ashes of my past. My fists tightened. Twelv

vowed to ma

ck returned with Amara and the

htly. "You called

preamble. "The hunters are pushing harder. I want the

ed on Amara's lips

of wisdom, stepped forward. "We should consider

our ground for now. But if they break through-" My voic

ick with tension. Then, after a moment,

is arms. "What'

eclared, "We make sure the hunters never step past t

orders, I turned back to the wind

just the

sure every last hu

the air. My generals and warriors-handpicked for their strength and loyalty-stood before me, waiting.

blade. Across from him, the head chief and my leading warriors-me

he room's murmurs. "The hunters have been spotted, and this time

ries of experience, leaned forward. "If they return in greater n

e. "Agreed. Amara is already strengthening our magical defen

scouts beyond the border to track their movements. I

an have my best me

ed my hea

l double in shifts, and every warrior must be

fists against their chests

rategies, patrol assignments, and defensive reinforceme

till one more ma

the grand hall, looking over the thousands of vam

or me to speak. The sheer power of their presen

h the silent night. "They seek to weaken us, to drive us into fear." I paused, my sharp

t spread through the

t I warn you all-be vigilant. Do not wander beyond the protecte

e chant, my people vowing their lo

ink they can challenge us. They will learn that t

ment thundered t

away, knowing my mess

left was to prepare

removing my jacket, when I s

d to the bed, a

la

ss my silk sheets lik

and immediate. "What the he

her limbs like a satisfie

red breath. "I don't

light. "You've been so tense lately, my king." She walke

have throw

se from days of restraint, from holding

ld have

I d

shed my jaw, whispering, "Take me," I let myself believ

o, I g