Death Game: Supernatural Battle (Vampire Towers #3) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,105

Pain and pleasure.

“Your rules,” he teased. “You said I had to maintain contact at all times.”

It was a gasp, not a complaint.

His lips curved and he kissed my nose.

Once out of the car, I wriggled until he put me down. I was already in the fucking rabbit onesie. Only using my legs to walk could redeem me.

Grabbing his hand, I tugged Kyros down the hall, listening to his silent laughter. Why this was funny, I had no idea.

The voices ahead of us trailed off.

I drew back, eyeing him.

Are you laughing because of the rabbit onesie? I asked.

He grinned. Just feeling grateful that we’re here in this moment, true mate.

The truth. And a thought I could appreciate the weight of.

We entered the open-plan living space hand in hand.

There wasn’t a single second of awkwardness before Gerome swept me into his arms. My hand was torn from Kyros’s as his brother spun me in a blurring circle.

I was too tired for spinning.

Tapping his shoulder, I groaned. “Enough.”

The tall, dark, and handsome vampire set me down immediately.

Kyros’s growl swelled, telling me he might have caught my mental description of his brother.

Oops.

I was passed into the arms of my first crush next.

Rory beamed down at me for a split second before Kyros ripped me away.

Crap, those thoughts were going to get me in trouble.

“Damn right they will,” he said, brows drawing together.

Kyros clamped me against his body, and I waved lamely at the other siblings. I’d wondered if the betrayal would still be held against me, but I couldn’t see a shred of bitterness or blame on their perfect faces.

Still, Ingenium ended yesterday. Who knew what feelings could arise in time? I really hoped there were no hard feelings.

Kyros pressed his forehead to the back of my head. They don’t. They wouldn’t dare after what you did for us.

I just undid the damage I’d caused.

You gave up everything you owned in Bluff City to help us, including your family’s home. You entered the lion’s den with no idea whether what you had would be enough. You did it for the love of your grandmother and love of me.

I’m glad you see it that way.

We all do, he replied. Including my mother and father.

The king and queen sat on the window seat, holding hands. It weirded me out when they did normal human stuff. Be a tyrannical ruler or not, but pick a damn side.

Kyros snorted. Why would he when he knows the uncertainty unsettles you?

The king pulled that shit on purpose?

My eyes narrowed. A worthy foe.

Deep, rumbling laughter burst from Kyros’s lips.

“Thank fuck you’re back,” Neelan said. “He’s been a pain in the ass. Bitching and moaning and moping.”

“Glad to be back,” I answered him solemnly. Kyros allowed just enough freedom for me to squeeze his brother’s hand.

“You look haggard but happy. Once you sleep, you’ll look much better,” Dierdre remarked, devouring a slice of cheese pizza.

I erupted in mental hoots. God, I’d missed her. “Thanks, Dierdre.”

Kyros was watching me closely. What? He hadn’t realised I found her hilarious?

He shook his head, and I grinned.

That pizza smells so good. I’d had no appetite in months. With a tendency toward the skinny of my optimal weight, I was now a size too small to be healthy. If Tommy hadn’t force-fed me, who knew what state I’d be in.

I should have worked harder.

I missed something the king said, glancing up at Kyros, a wrinkle between my brows. He avoided my gaze and Dierdre’s low growl when he stole her pizza box.

Ugh, nope. I wasn’t coming between a vampire and her food. One, she was female and that was a general no-no. Two, she had fangs.

“I’ll grab something else soon,” I said.

King Julius stood in front of me.

Heart thumping, I stared at the ancient Vissimo.

“I can’t recall the last time a human ignored me,” he said in bafflement.

The queen called. “It’s their mind-speak, lover. It distracts my son and my daughter-in-law.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

The king held out his arm, studying my face closely. Checking how haggy I was?

“What’s going on?” I took his arm.

“You would know if you had listened,” he replied.

I inhaled and my stomach gurgled.

Exhaling loudly, Kyros’s father swiped the pizza box from his son before marching us out the front door.

“I’m glad to see you, true mate of my eldest son.”

He wasn’t calling me human, so things could be worse. The king led us to the fire pit where Kyros once tried to set up a romantic date. If he did it again, I’d be