Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Yes.” Hyacinth’s eyes twinkle at me, her mirth cutting in a way that feels familiar. “But my fatal flaw is curiosity, and you’ve aroused it. When will I get to experience something like this again?”
She leans back, her posture perfectly relaxed. “Besides, you’ll be required to sign a blood oath, and if you break your word, you’ll die horribly. So I’m plenty reassured that I’ll see the morning.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary—” Maeve starts.
I squeeze her thigh. “How soon will the paperwork be ready?”
“Oh, we don’t do anything as mundane as paper for this sort of thing.” She pulls off a purple glove, revealing a smooth hand with an extra set of knuckles, just like the healer’s. Her skin is a pale lilac. She flips over her hand, exposing her palm. “A simple exchange of blood will do.”
A blood oath is a binding that’s inescapable. Depending on the wording, it can be the worst kind of curse. I still can’t believe that Evelyn took one for the Cŵn Annwn. I know she thought she could outwit it, and maybe she still will, but I have my doubts. The only thing that’s kept them from hunting her to a violent and bloody death is the fact that she’s still technically sailing with the Cŵn Annwn. At least until they figure out that Nox isn’t the loyal captain the Council believes them to be.
“And the oath?”
“A simple one. You will vow not to cause any irreparable harm to me. If you do, your life is forfeit—and hers as well.” Her hand doesn’t so much as quiver. “In exchange, I’ll feed you through your bite until you’re satisfied.”
“What happens if my satisfaction is your death?”
Hyacinth actually rolls her eyes. “Now you’re just being difficult. Agree or don’t. If you’re not going to, then you’re wasting my time.”
I slice my nail along my palm, waiting for the blood to well, and Hyacinth produces an adorable little knife and does the same to her palm. We shake, repeating the oath. The magic courses through me, taking root in a way that makes me shiver. I have no intention of harming this woman, but the threat of a horrible death—of Maeve’s horrible death—is almost enough to make me walk out the door and not look back. Only the fact that Maeve won’t go with me keeps me seated.
Hyacinth examines her palm and then slides her glove back on. “Now that the nitty-gritty details are taken care of, it’s time to have some fun. Follow me.”
chapter 25
Maeve
Hyacinth leads us up the stairs to a room that’s decorated in what I’m assuming is her trademark purple. It’s lovely, the walls faded and comforting, the bed ridiculously overstuffed, and even a scattering of chairs and a sofa in a makeshift sitting area. She closes the door behind us and motions to the room as a whole. “Wherever you would be most comfortable.”
Lizzie marches to the couch and drops onto it with none of her usual grace. I don’t know if I’m reassured that she doesn’t want to do this or irritated with her for dragging her heels through the whole process. There’s a kernel of jealousy beneath my ribs as Hyacinth sinks onto the cushion next to Lizzie, which only complicates my feelings on the whole matter. There’s absolutely no way that I am joining them on the couch, so I take the chair across from them.
It’s a mistake.
From this angle, they create a tableau of beauty that makes my chest ache. Hyacinth goes to some cleverly hidden ties at the shoulders of her robes, but Lizzie shakes her head sharply. “Keep it on.”
For her part, Hyacinth just shrugs. “Where would you like to feed?”
Lizzie’s gaze tracks to me, and whatever she sees on my face, despite my best efforts to hide it, makes her say, “Your wrist will do well enough.”
If Hyacinth finds that remotely disconcerting, she doesn’t show any evidence of it. But as she slides off her glove, every movement radiates seduction. Her wrist is dainty, and as her robes slide up to reveal her forearm, I get a better look at her skin. Also purple, though it’s the kind of purple that’s so pale it’s almost without shade. It should make her look sickly, but it’s just beautiful.
Lizzie gingerly takes her wrist, but her eyes are on me. They haven’t left me since this started. It makes me shift in my seat. I don’t want to do anything to make her feel more uncomfortable than she obviously already is, but with every second that this continues, I wonder if I’ve made a mistake in more than my choice of seating.
No. No, I can’t afford to think like that. Lizzie’s a vampire; going without food means she’ll be weak when she can’t afford to be. If we’re tracking the Cŵn Annwn, I need her at full strength. If she’s not, she could die. She might be destined to leave me, but at least I’ll have the comfort of knowing that she’s safe and well. If she hamstrings herself to make me comfortable, that’s not a guaranteed outcome.