Noble Treachery by Lucretia Stanhope

Author:Lucretia Stanhope [Stanhope, Lucretia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781717437419
Published: 2018-10-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

ROSE STRUGGLED TO stay on her feet as they crossed the front courtyard and neared the main entrance to her court. The energy she gained from the feeding before they left ran out a few realms back and she didn’t want to drink from Stepan.

A tension hung in the air, adding to her fight to remain upright. “Do you feel that?”

“I do.” Stepan wasn’t sure what alarmed him the most, the frightened witches he sensed scurrying about, or the missing presences of his father and Radimir. Both signaled trouble, he assumed they directly related to each other.

“Matvei isn’t here. Help me get inside. Something is wrong. Here and with me.” Rose leaned heavily against him. “I’m starving again, already.”

“Yes, you would be.” Inside, Stepan saw that fear floated in the eyes of the vampires as well as the witches. He flicked a finger toward himself, calling over the nearest vampire. “Report.”

“Sir, I’m, she’s… my queen, your room is ready.” The female vampire bowed her eyes. They were all under orders not to tell Rose about any of the issues on or off realm.

Rose closed her eyes, feeling her rage rising and thinking her temper was out of hand. If she had more strength, she might have hit the vampire. “My room? What is going on? Why is my father here? He feels ill. Is he ill? Where is Matvei?”

Another vampire rushed over and bowed his head. “If I may speak freely, sir? My queen?”

“Someone should speak freely before myself or our queen loses our good temper in front of these delicate witches. Report and walk. Step lively.” Stepan started walking, leading Rose toward her room.

“I’m not going to lay down. Take me to see my father.” Rose weakly tugged away, glad Stepan didn’t fight her.

“There is a potion in your room, my queen. Eudora has been working on it, as Matvei ordered. He wants you to rest on your arrival until he returns. Stepan, sir, those are direct orders.” The vampire stepped in their path with a look that fluctuated between determined and terrified on his face.

“Get out of my way before I move you. Have the potion brought to my father’s room, where you will find me. Those are my orders.” Rose waved him away. When he didn’t move she added, “You don’t want to disobey my orders. The results would be most unfortunate and leave a stain on the carpet.”

“You heard your queen.” Stepan gave the vampire a cold look and then put his arm around her waist. “You will need blood, Rose. You are impressive, but not going to be on your feet much longer without it.”

“I wanted to drink from your father. I won’t be making a habit of…” She reached out for a passing vampire, her fingers wrapping around his wrist. “Might I have your assistance?”

“Yes, my queen.” He bowed his head. “How may I serve you?”

“I need… I’m thirsty.” Rose closed her eyes a few beats, then drew in a deep breath. “Not in the hall like savages.

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