Ylva shifted, her head resting on her knuckles. “Everyone leave.”
Her people were reluctant but exited without a word. Estrella made to stand as well, but I held her in place with my hand.
You’re staying right where you are.In the time it would take for me to reach the door and open it she could be in shreds, and that wasn’t happening. Besides, she deserved to be involved in this.
“What benefit do I gain by granting you access to my troops?” That wild look that usually glazed her eyes had vanished, replaced by the sharp gaze of a honed predator.
“Outside of protecting our trade route, which would directly affect your House?” Her ear twitched, and I scowled. “We believe Mihal is involved with Codran’s efforts. You know what his return would mean.”
“You know, Mihal visited us just last week.”
Her words fell like lead in my ears.
“His arguments were intriguing,” Ylva admitted. She lifted her stein and took a swig before continuing, “He reminded me that vampires shouldn’t have to live in the shadows, drinking stale blood. We are warriors, Your Highness, yet we’re caged and forced to hunt pigs instead of our true prey.”
“Is that what you want? Because I thought you kept your sights on a bigger picture than that.”
“Honestly, I couldn’t care less about hunting humans or fresh blood. I find the little morsels adorable,” she grinned at Estrella, “but my warriors tire of their leashes.”
“Regardless of your opinions, Your Highness, humans like your cute little snack here are our natural prey. It’s different for you vampires in the city—so detached from our nature that you can hardly tell a bird’s chirp from the swish of a blade. Out here, it’s far more difficult to ignore one’s instincts.”
“So that’s it? You want to send an entire species back to the Dark Ages just so you don’t have to fight your primal instincts?”
Instead of answering, Ylva turned her gaze to Estrella. The corners of her lips flicked upward as she leapt onto the tabletop, prancing across to Estrella. She flopped down in front of my love.
My reaction was immediate and intense. I grabbed Ylva’s arm, snarling sharply enough to rattle the mugs across the table. Somehow, she ignored me and placed a finger under Estrella’s chin. I tightened my grip on her wrist, ready to break it. “Don’t fucking touch her.”
“Oh hush,” Ylva snapped, smacking my hand away. I saw red.
I’ve got this.Estrella’s soft voice seeped through my mind like liquid. Her heart raced, but her eyes remained fixed on Ylva’s, her expression calm and determined. Reluctantly, I let go of the countess. I might not trust her, but I trusted Estrella.
Ylva threw a taunting glance my way before turning back to Estrella. “So, little acolyte, tell me: Why are you worth protecting?”
“What?” Estrella choked out.
“Your master—” Ylva shot me an analyzing look that turned into a knowing smirk, “—I mean, your lover, is asking me to go to war for you. Why should I?”
My lips parted, ready to give Ylva a piece of my mind for her offensive question, but Estrella beat me to it. She looked at me withcalm clarity in her eyes. “Roman, can you help me?”
I tilted my head in questioning. She clarified, “I need your powers.”
I hid my grimace. Few outside my inner circle knew about my abilities. But this was war, and my allies needed to know, especially since the enemy somehow already knew. I nodded. Estrella took my hand, and I focused on calming my thoughts to be the conduit between her mind and Ylva’s.
The images hit me like a tsunami. I had seen what she endured in Codran’s mind. Living those terrors as the perpetrator had been a special kind of torture. Yet living them through her eyes was worse. I felt every emotion—the unending pain and darkness, the fear and panic not just for herself but for the girls trapped with her, the helplessness. Even—I flinched—the hopelessness that help wouldn’t come. The resolve that she would die before allowing it to continue if it meant even a chance of saving the others.
The images faded, and I took a ragged breath. Droplets of sweat trickled down my forehead. Vaguely, I felt her hand rubbing up my arm.I’m sorry you had to see that,she said gently.
I remained silent. She was apologizing—to me—for my failing her and the trauma it left her with. I closed my eyes, counting backward from ten over and over again to stave off the self-loathing before it destroyed me. I squeezed her hand reassuringly, hoping it conveyed what my words couldn’t.
“You’re telepathic,” Ylva said coolly, as if that revelation was the most significant thing she’d just learned. That fact alone made me seethe.
“If that’s what you want to call it,” I muttered through gritted teeth.
“I don’t appreciate being lied to,” she snapped before turning back to Estrella. “Why show me this, littlesnack?”
“There are thousands of girls living through that same nightmare right now. I am fortunate that Roman hasn’t forced me to endure it. Others aren’t so lucky. I hear their cries every time I fall asleep, and as a fellow woman, you should too. My life isn’t worth going to war over, but theirs are. The millions who will live in unending fear and helplessness if Mihal rises to power are worth it. You’d have to be a monster not to care about all those innocents suffering.” Estrella’s voice commanded the room, even making Ylva tilt her head back in admiration.
“And what if I am a monster?” Ylva challenged.
