“I got a pulse!” Mike said.
I released my hold, spitting blood and venom to the ground as I fell back on my hand, wiping it from my nose and chin. I wanted to kick my legs and scream for them to get it off, but I was all too conscious of the fact that everyone in the room was staring.
Blade knelt beside me, wiping his sweaty shirt around my face and down my chest where the blood dribbled. “Your majesty, what is it, what’s wrong?”
I looked up into eyes of concern, and realised only then that I was crying.
“Come on.” Mike hoisted me off the ground by my arm. “Let’s get you some blood to wash out the taste.”
An arm, with the sleeve rolled up to reveal clear veins, appeared in front of my lips. “Your Majesty, drink,” Arthur said kindly.
“Oh, hell no.” Mike pushed his arm away. “There is no way she’s—”
“She’s in agony,” Arthur growled, standing face to face with Mike. “I do not care for your fears of the lust she will feel while drinking, Michael, I care that that poor girl be eased of the burning she is suffering. Now let me pass.” He eyed Mike, staring him down, and as soon as he pierced his vein with his nail and the smell of his blood hit my senses, I pushed past Mike and grabbed Arthur’s arm.
“Ara, don’t bite him,” Mike said, with way too much panic, grabbing me.
Arthur looked up at him, confused. “Didn’t know you cared.”
I wrapped my lips around the cool, soothing milk spilling from Arthur’s skin.
“I don’t. But the last thing we need now is the death of a vampire at the hands of the future queen.”
I was vaguely aware of Mike moving away, but had to narrow myself in and focus only on the blood—only on the feel of it taking the burn away, like cream over salt. But the urge to bite Arthur seared worse. I could. I could bite him. He wasn’t immune, but if I bit him, I could give him my blood right away and he might be all right.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Mike grabbed my shoulder and rolled me away; the sensation of lust, flooding me like a warm beat of blood through my heart, turned to a flush of heat in my cheeks as I felt the air between us.
“Sorry, Arthur.” I wiped my mouth with my forearm. “I still get a little carried away with blood.”
He bowed his head, rolling his sleeve down his already healed arm. “Do not think on it, Princess. It is my pleasure to appease you.”
“Right.” Mike seemed to grow taller then, taking me by the arm. “Training’s over for you, missy. Let’s go.” As he led me from the room, he looked back at the gawking knights. “Back to work—all of you. Blade, you’re in charge.”
Thank you, Arthur, I mouthed, hurrying away at more than human speed. I didn’t even get a chance to see if he heard me.
The cool breeze and soft kiss of rain on my cheeks outside shocked my warm body. My heart started faster and the taste of Arthur on my lips sunk in to realisation. I touched my fingertips to them, smiling a little, half laughing.
“How could you?” Mike said, eyes forward, practically dragging me away.
“What? Drink his blood?”
“Yes! How could you let yourself—?” His face contorted with disgust, his fingers tightening on my arm. “I’m so mad at you, Ara.”
“Urgh. Get over it.” I whipped my arm from his grip. “I’m a vampire. I drink vampire blood. He’s a vampire.”
“He’s a guy. You’re a girl. Doesn’t mean you can screw him.”
Hu! I gasped loudly. “How dare you? I would never—”
“Don’t play stupid, Ara. We all saw the lust take hold.” He pointed to the training hall.
I dropped my hands to my hips. “It’s not my fault. It’s a part of the process.”
“Precisely why you are never to drink his blood again. Do I make myself clear?” He towered over me a little.
“You cannot,” I said breathily, insult rising like a flamed wind, “tell me. Who to eat from.”
He grew taller in front of me, his eyes widening to take all of me in. “I can. And I will.”
I stomped my foot, thrusting my fists to my sides, tilting my chin to seem taller. “I can eat from whom ever I please.”
“Not Arthur.”
“And how are you going to stop me?”
Mike dropped back and leaned against the white bricks of the training hall, rubbing furiously at his brow. “Ara. Please. Come on. Stop being a stubborn little brat. You know you shouldn’t drink from him and you know why.”
As the heat of lust and the adrenaline simmered in my limbs a little, I felt a pang of acquiescence. “Well, it doesn’t matter, because I don’t want his blood anyway,” I huffed, folding my arms. “And if I did, I’d have it. You can’t tell me what to do.” Only, he was right. I did feel the lust. I did feel the desire to move my lips up Arthur’s arm and find his mouth, and I knew it was artificial. So, I wouldn’t drink his blood again—if I could help it. But I wasn’t about to be controlled by Mike, either.
“It’s my job to tell you what to do—when it comes to your safety.”
“Arthur won’t hurt me.”
“It’s not his hurting you I’m worried about,” he said, his voice breaking. He stiffened quickly and dropped his arm back down to his side. “Look, I’m sorry, Ara. I know you just hate being ordered around, but, please—” He stepped into me, two hands holding my face. “Please don’t drink his blood again.”
I shrugged. “Like I said, I don’t want it.”
“Fine.” He let go of me and turned away, walking ahead. “But if I catch you alone with him, I’m going to assume that’s what you’re doing, and I will forcibly remove you.”
“You so will not!”
He stopped then and turned to face me. “Yes, I will. I promised David I’d watch out for you when it comes to Arthur. I won’t let you make the mistake I know you’re capable of, Ara.”
“Wait? What mistake?” I grabbed his sleeve.
“You know damn well what I’m talking about.” He looked down at me, his caramel eyes narrowed. “I listened to your heart, Ara, while you drank from him—as did Arthur. You’re lucky only one other person in that room is immortal, or they would all have heard it, too.”
“It’s just the blood lust, Mike,” I called as he walked away again.