tolerated here in Tucson. And yet you still persist in your destructive actions. Not only that, you do so in my club. My. Club!” His voice is like a deadly viper, lashing at her with every word as he moves around her and her captors.
He moves faster than I can follow as he sticks his hand out and grips Siannon’s neck, getting in her face and crushing her vocal cords. I gasp. The king is everything I had ever imagined when I imagined the scary kind of vampires.
“Your protection has been revoked.” Lucius lets Siannon’s neck go and the woman collapses, sinking to her knees. Turning, he moves to me and Aaron. “You have my permission to end her.” He stalks back to his throne, spins, and sits, his eyes still blazing with fury.
Aaron turns to me and looks me deep in the eyes, sending me into a trance. Once he knows I am fully under his spell, he orders, “Stay here. Relax, my sweet. I promised I would keep you safe. This will be over in a moment, and you will never have to worry about her again. Nod your head if you understand.”
I relax my shoulders, and nod as I gaze at him. I don’t move, as he’s directed me to stay where I am, but my eyes follow him as he picks up a sword from the wall—a weapon I’d thought was merely decoration—and strides toward Siannon. I watch as he raises the sword and brings it down on Siannon’s neck, swiftly decapitating her. Her head rolls forward a little, and those holding her body let go as it, too, falls to the floor.
“Remove that trash from my sight,” the king orders.
Trey and the other man move to do his bidding. My eyes still track Aaron, watching him hand over the sword to another man, who wipes it down and replaces it on the wall. I can’t move, but my body is still relaxed, awaiting Aaron’s next order.
I’m not sure why he put me in a trance, but in a way, I am grateful. Because had he not, I might have rushed forward and intervened, or maybe just run from the horror of watching the vampire woman be killed in such a way—and by him. Not that Siannon didn’t totally deserve it. She did. And I am glad that it is her life that ended and not my own. Still, knowing their history, I worry for Aaron.
Aaron moves back to me, gathers me in his arms and then snaps his fingers, bringing me out of the trance. “Still okay?” he asks, looking half afraid that I will run from him.
“I’m fine, I promise.” I smile and reach a hand to his cheek. “Thank you. I know that can’t have been easy,” I say, gazing up at him. “Thank you for protecting me, for keeping your word.”
His fingers trace the curve of my face. “I will always keep my word to you.”
My smile deepens. “I know you will. Thank you.” My eyes stray to the others in the room. “The king’s kind of scary,” I whisper, hoping Lucius won’t overhear me, but of course, he does.
“Remember that, Ms. Morrison,” the king replies, but he is wearing a smile. “As long as you abide by the rules, you will be fine.”
The queen smiles as well and lays a hand upon his arm. “I think it is time for the ceremony, is it not, my love?”
“It is indeed, my dear.” Lucius pats her hand. “Let the festivities begin.”
Chapter 12
Music begins to play, and more people move into the space. Aaron takes my hand and we move into the forming line. One by one, each couple moves toward the king and queen, bow, and introduce their partner.
When it is our turn, I curtsey with my head bowed, as the woman before me had done.
“May I present Ms. Clarabelle Morrison, my submissive-to-be?” Aaron states.
“A lovely choice, Mr. Blake. Welcome, Ms. Morrison.”
Aaron walks me past the thrones to wait with those who have gone before us. “What do we do now?” I whisper.
“You’ll see.”
Once everyone has been introduced, a couple members of the staff hand out boxes. One is placed into Aaron’s hands, and he turns to me with a smile. My heart races faster than it ever has before. I am filled with excitement and wonder. I feel almost like a bride on her wedding day. The anticipation of what is coming sweeps through me, and I nearly can’t breathe.
Aaron opens the