Page 71 of His Stolen Queen
He snorted, rearing back in offense. "I don't work for that clan of idiots. Bloody ancients stuck in the past. But they served their purpose. Vladimir was under the impression that he would be reinstated into power. He fell right into my trap. It was a pity about his head being ripped off, but he knew the risk. There's no anger like a pissed-off mate."
I was sick of talking in riddles. He clearly had a reason for cornering me—and I doubt it had anything to do with wanting me to pass on the message to my mate. "What does this all have to do with Acheron? I'm very sorry about your mother." I wasn't, since she sounded just as cruel as King Artemis had been. "But I don't understand your end game."
He shook his head, looking disappointed. "It's got nothing to do with Acheron and everything to do with you! I wasn't exactly jumping with joy that Acheron had found his bonded mate. A King should have equal power across all Territories, so to have a bond-mate would triple his power." He slashed his hand in the air. "And yes, there was some jealousy involved," he admitted. "All the Kings wanted it to be them. But at the end of the day, Acheron is my friend and an honest and trustworthy King—ofcourseI was happy for him."
He stopped his pacing again and turned to face me, his features reddening in renewed fury. "But then I found out aboutyou. Since he so desperately needed my permission to enter my Territory, I allowed it under strict instructions to my Elders that information be shared with me—all normal, standard stuff. Soto find out that one of his precious children escaped that day? And on top of that, I find out that you are a descendant of King Artemis?"
He moved closer to me, and this time, I didn't bother to hide my movements. My steps quickly paced backward until my back pressed against a tree. My chest heaved in rapid bursts, my mouth quivering.
His handsome face distorted into pure hatred. "As much as I despised my mother, I know that her cruelty was a product of my bastard father. I promised Dietra that I would avenge her, and unlike King Artemis, when he promised her that he'd be mated to her forever…I intend to keep my promise."
He lunged forward, and a scream died in my throat.
Chapter 28
Acheron
"How did I know you’d be here?"
My beautiful mate turned her head and smiled at me. She closed the book she was reading and stood, her arms smoothing up my chest in greeting. God, she was so lovely. Even though we had been fucking for hours, I felt a ripple of desire build inside me again.
The dimple in her cheek popped. "You're finally up."
"Miss me?"
"Always." She leaned up and kissed me.
I bent down to meet her and returned her kiss. Her taste filled my mouth, and I groaned, gathering her closer. Her blood was intoxicating. I couldn't get enough. It flowed into my mouth, and I greedily sucked and swallowed.
I frowned.
Blood.
So much blood. Too much.
Then it hit me: How could she be bleeding when I had not bitten her?
I immediately jerked away and gasped as blood poured out of Alice's mouth. Her eyes were wide and pained.
"Alice! Alice, oh god, what happened?"
I felt a wetness against my lower abdomen and glanced down to see a wound on her stomach. More blood was seeping through her shirt.
"No! Alice!"
I jerked awake, and Von instantly appeared at my side, having heard my call.
I sat up, my legs swinging over the side of my bed. My empty bed. "Where is Alice?" I demanded. The last I remembered, she had been sleeping beside me. How long was I out for?
"She went for a walk—"
I immediately tried to connect with her guards but was met with silence.
"Fuck!"
"My King—"
"I'll be at the forest's edge. Get a physician there. Now!"
