In the Service of the King (Vampire Warrior Kings 1)

He stared at the goblet a moment longer, then finally placed it on a shelf inside the large cabinet. His fangs stretched out in his mouth as the scent of it infused his consciousness. His throat burned and constricted as he secured the doors. Hunger clenched in his gut. Hunger for blood, for companionship. For love.

Before long, footsteps echoed in the exterior corridor and a knock sounded at the back door.

Kael swallowed hard and strode to the center of the room. “Come.”

Simon Freneau pushed through the door and stopped on the threshold, bowing his head. “Good evening, Your Highness.”

Kael stepped forward and offered his hand. “Simon. Good to see you again.” He nodded and shook Kael’s hand, but his furrowed brow didn’t speak of pleasure. Kael knew how protective the trainers were of the Proffered. He clearly had some amends to make. Kael’s mistake, the failed hypnotism in particular, had made Simon look bad too. The women were told the pain of the whole experience was minimal to none, and that was true. Usually. “It won’t happen again.”

Not the least because he hoped to never again require the services of the Proffered. But that was up to Shayla—and the mating bond, though Kael swore the mystical connection of a blood match had been weaving its tendrils around him all night, drawing him to her. Body, mind and soul.

Simon nodded again and the muscles in his face relaxed, though he still didn’t smile. “May I present to you the Proffered?”

“Please.” Kael swallowed. He could smell Shayla, hear her small movements in the hallway. She appeared in the doorway, a vision in a fresh white silk robe and styled mahogany hair. She stepped in and cleared the door, then took her standing position with her hands behind her back and her head bowed.

Simon looked between them once, leveled a pointed stare at Kael, and stepped backward through the door.

Shayla was counting her breaths again, trying to rein in her emotions, but his very presence was nearly undoing the past hour of relaxation she’d attempted. She’d started out with a quick yoga routine, stretching and working her muscles, then soaked in the tub. The concentration the braiding took also provided a great distraction, but it still seemed time had sped up when Master Simon knocked on her door. Now that she was before Kael again, her neck and shoulders tightened as her apprehension increased.

“Shayla, look at me.”

As much as she’d been waiting for his voice, it still startled her. His use of her name. His tender, regretful tone.

She knew she must obey, but was afraid if she did, she’d lose control of her emotions—and she wasn’t sure whether hurt or anger would win out. Neither was appropriate to show, and both were likely to result in tears.

The king stepped toward her until he was easily within arm’s reach. “Young Shayla,” he whispered, coaxing her. A long moment passed. And then he fell to his knees before her, his face tilted upward so their eyes could finally meet.

She gasped and her mouth dropped open. He was more fascinating, more gorgeous, than she had even fully recalled. Fire danced behind his eyes, and flashes of gold shined out through the emerald. He was smiling, and it highlighted the strong masculine angles of his jaw and cheeks so vividly it stole her breath. A reaction amplified by the appearance of the sharp tips of his fangs. Shayla licked her lips.

Despite being on his knees, he radiated such palpable power she could feel it jangling in the air between them.

Oh, God. He’s on his knees. A throaty sigh escaped her as she dropped to her own. She was always to be below him.

“Now I can’t see you again.” The warm, amused tone was back. “Please look at me.”

Taking a deep breath, Shayla finally obeyed. Her gaze raked over his intricate tartan robes before finally settling on his handsome face. When their eyes met, the smile he let loose dazzled her, and she smiled back. His playfulness, the incredible sense of ease now possessing him, made it harder to hold on to her anger.

“Thank you,” he said. She nodded. “I have some things I’d like to say to you. Are you willing to hear them?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Kael frowned for a moment, and Shayla didn’t have time to figure out why before he spoke again. “I hurt you, and I owe you an apology.”

She inhaled to speak, but he cocked his eyebrow and she fell silent. She nodded again instead.

“I don’t just mean for hurting you with the knife, although I am…beyond sorry you had to endure that.” He grasped one of her hands in both of his and her lips fell open. His touch was so warm, so encompassing. “I lost control and it compromised your safety, your well-being, and that is my first responsibility to the Proffered.”