The room we were in did have a bathing chamber, so we all took turns cleaning ourselves up as best we could; although, without fresh clothes to change into, there wasn’t much we could do.
“We’ll give it another ten minutes,” I said quietly. The rangers would no doubt hear anything we said, so we were all being careful with our words. “Then I’ll insist on seeing Aniela or Dominique.”
Everyone nodded while Roth went back to frowning at the small collection of books in the room, as if they were personally offended at the meager offerings. Kieran was cuddled up on the small settee with Draven, his head resting on the prince’s shoulder. I hadn’t gotten a chance to speak with him alone since our encounters with Demetri and Carmilla. Demetri’s words about him being a courtier had no doubt struck at an old wound. I scowled, wishing I could kill my ex-husband all over again.
I caught Draven’s eye, and something passed between us, then he gave me a tight smile before kissing the top of Kieran’s head. A soothing sensation passed down the bond, and I assumed it was from him because Vail was currently pacing the room like a trapped animal.
Definitely not soothing.
Alaric walked out of the washroom, and for a solid ten seconds, I stopped thinking about all the ways we were fucked.
He carried a damp shirt, leaving his carved chest and abs on display. Like Kieran, Alaric was built on the leaner side. Unlike his best friend though, Alaric spent a lot of time running and rock climbing—something I’d only recently learned about him.
“You’re drooling,” he said dryly as he closed the distance between us, the corners of his lips curling up into the smallest of smiles. “And you missed a spot.”
He used his thumb to brush at my jawline. I closed my eyes and enjoyed his touch. It still didn’t feel real that Alaric Lockwood was being affectionate with me.
“I could really go for some hot springs right now,” I mused.
Alaric’s thumb went still, and I cracked my eyes open to find him looking at me with such wanton desire that my heart started beating faster.
A soft laugh came from the couch as Kieran stirred in Draven’s arms. “I think Alaric would go for the dessert this time.”
Roth snorted, which made me suspect Kieran had told them about the time Alaric had walked in on the two of us getting hot and heavy and Kieran had asked Alaric if he was there for “dessert.”
“I do love how sweet you taste,” Alaric said, never taking his eyes off me as his thumb started stroking my jawline again.
A spear of jealousy slammed into me, and I inhaled sharply before glancing at Vail, who was still pacing the room—now with clenched fists.
Despite how frayed our bond was, his emotions were practically screaming down it.
I opened my mouth to say something to hopefully calm him down a bit just so I could think without getting bombarded by his feelings, when I heard the faint sounds of footsteps from the hall outside our room. Kieran and Draven detangled and smoothly got to their feet. I pushed feelings of gratitude down the bond as Draven nudged Kieran behind himself. It seemed unlikely that we’d be attacked now, given that they’d shown us to a guest room and not a dungeon, but after the past week, I wasn’t sure anything would surprise me anymore.
Vail stalked over to stand by my side, something that earned him a warning look from Draven that I also felt echoed down the bond. Argh. It was really confusing to feel emotions that weren’t mine. Hopefully I’d get used to it over time.
I glanced at Alaric—who’d thankfully put his shirt back on, because if anyone else drooled over him I’d carve their eyes out—and jerked my head towards Roth. He pursed his lips but did as I requested and went to join them.
If Salvatore did decide to attack us, we were spread out across the room and would force them to divide their attention.
The door slammed open, and a beautiful, very pissed-off redhead stormed into the room. Usually the Salvatore Heir exuded a sultry energy while she glided through life. It was often easy to forget that Aniela was a ruthless predator while she batted her long, dark eyelashes.
That was not the case now.
“What the fuck is going on, Samara?” She crashed to a halt in front of me, green eyes flashing in warning. Only two rangers followed her into the room, but given the reputation of the twin sisters, that was all the backup Aniela needed.
Petra and Brennan bared their teeth while burnt umber eyes shone brightly against their rich brown skin. The dual Marshals of House Salvatore.
“You tell me, Aniela,” I responded coolly while I arched an eyebrow. “Things seem a little tense around here, and shoving the Heir of another House into a room like this and locking the door isn’t exactly good manners.”
Cunning eyes searched mine, and I responded in kind. If Aniela had been mind-fucked by Carmilla, I would think she would act like her normal self-assured self and try to keep us placated while she informed my aunt that we were here.
Granted, she could have sent a striker with a message while we’d been sequestered and was now putting on a show to seehow we would react, but I didn’t think that was the case. Behind the anger brimming in her eyes was something else. Fear.
Something had happened that had put the usually unshakeable Heir on alert.
“Answer the fucking question,” Aniela growled. Thin lines of a green so light, it was practically white wove their way through her green eyes.Interesting.I could count on one hand the number of times I’d seen Aniela let her bloodlust rise.
Aniela liked to be underestimated, relying on that pretty face to distract the foolish while she angled a dagger at their backs.
