Shades of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #16) - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,34

to offer him complete access. Oh yes. She shivered in anticipation. Was she about to discover if a vampire bite really could cause an orgasm? She was 99 percent certain that the answer was yes.

Lost in the dreamy-steamy pleasure cascading through her, Chaaya nearly missed the faint click from overhead. But even as she pressed against the hardening length of his erection, she froze. That was the sound of a door opening.

And a new smell had filtered through the air.

Orc.

“Wait,” she breathed.

“I heard.” The white center of his eyes expanded. Was he using his power to determine how many demons were above them?

“Is there any other way out of here?” she asked.

“No.”

Chaaya stepped out of his arms and grabbed her spear. “Then we fight.”

His face was grim. “No, Chaaya.”

She twirled her spear, sending him a warning frown. “We’re both in charge, remember? If you think you’re going to leave me behind while you…”

“Hush.” He brushed his fingers over her closely trimmed hair. It was an oddly affectionate gesture. “I’m trying to tell you that there’s no need to fight. Once we get to the top of the stairs, I’ll use my darkness. Head for the window.”

“Oh.” She smiled wryly. “Okay.”

He stepped back, his face still grim. “Don’t you dare die again.”

She held his gaze. “I can say the same to you.”

“Let’s go.”

* * * *

Troy at last tracked down Rimm in the throne room. The tall, slender man was wearing the traditional scale armor with a trident belted at his waist. His long, blue tinted hair was held back by a leather strap, and the medallion around his neck revealed his status as the Captain of the Royal Guards.

At the moment he was standing near the dais, watching Inga as she paced from side to side. The queen had changed into a new muumuu, this one in a violent shade of yellow with red poinsettias splotched across the cheap fabric. Her tufts of hair were standing straight up and her eyes were more crimson than blue, a sure indication she was upset.

At Troy’s entrance the guard’s handsome features pinched into a sour expression.

“We’re in conference. You can return to speak with the queen later,” he announced in stiff tones.

Troy sashayed forward, halting directly in front of the male. “I’m not here to see the queen. I have some questions for you.”

Rimm scowled. “I don’t answer to you, imp.”

Inga came to an abrupt halt, sending her captain an impatient frown. “I’ve asked the prince.” She emphasized Troy’s title, although she rarely remembered that Troy had royal blood running through his veins. He rarely remembered it himself. His pedigree was worth less than the thigh-high leather boots he was wearing to complement his lime green spandex pants and sheer white shirt. “He’s going to assist in my search for the truth.”

Rimm stiffened, looking as if someone had rammed a stick up his ass. “If Your Majesty believes I’m incapable of performing my duties—”

“Stop,” Inga interrupted. “This has nothing to do with your lack of competence, Rimm.”

The male sniffed. “If you say so.”

Troy snapped. For the past months he’d obeyed Inga’s command to bite his tongue when she endured the various slights, snubs, and outright insults from her people. She was convinced she could win them over with her hard work and diligence.

Troy wasn’t nearly so certain. And right now he wasn’t in the mood to put up with the shit.

“She’s telling you the truth.” Rimm parted his lips to make a snide comment only to snap them shut when Troy pulled a hidden dagger from his boot and pointed it in the male’s face. “Just keep your mouth shut and listen, fish,” Troy commanded. “There isn’t a mer-folk in this castle who would have blamed Inga for tossing you in the dungeon after Riven was removed from the throne. Or even killing you as a traitor.”

Inga made a strangled sound of protest. “Troy.”

Troy kept his gaze locked on the captain of the guards. “But she didn’t because she believed in you. And your loyalty to the throne.”

His jaw clenched. “I am loyal.”

Troy ignored the male’s protest. “And despite the warnings from me and the King of Vampires and dozens of others, she trusted you more than any other demon she could have brought in as the head of her Royal Guard.”

“Enough, Troy,” Inga pleaded.

“No, this is way overdue.” He kept the dagger in the male’s face, his voice sharp with frustrated anger. “I want him to acknowledge the faith you placed in