Page 95 of Somber Prince

Elaine rushed to me. “What’s going on?”

Met with Rha’s wild gaze, she trembled like a leaf. It must be her love for me that emboldened her to come close anyway and place a hand on my arm.

“Come with us, Dawn,” she implored, softly. “Please.”

But I couldn’t leave. Rha’s tall, strong body shook in agony. A glossy sheen of sweat coated his shimmering ink-black skin, making it appear liquid. His handsome features distorted into a grimace I’d never seen on him before, baring his fangs in a scowl. He fisted his hands so hard, dark droplets of blood glistened between his fingers, seeping from under his nails that pierced the heels of his palms.

I couldn’t leave him like that.

“Go.” I said to Elaine. “I’ll stay.”

Melanie sprung to her feet.

“Are you insane? Dawn, just look at him!” She grimaced, staring at Rha. “What’s wrong with him, anyway?”

“Mating fever,” Sigid spoke softly, as if afraid to provoke a feral predator into an attack. With his eyes on Rha, Sigid approached me carefully and touched my hand. “We need to go, Dawn.”

Rha’s eyes narrowed, focused on the spot where Sigid touched me. A low growl vibrated deep in his chest.

“Jesus Christ,” Melanie gasped. “Why would you want to stay even a second with this beast?”

“Let’s go, Dawn. Please, before he hurts somebody,” Elaine begged.

They had to leave, but I didn’t want them to worry about me.

“Just go, guys.” I jerked my chin up and cocked my hip, faking the confidence I didn’t quite feel. “Maybe I want to be ravaged, okay? It’s been a while.”

Kostya had finally caught up with what was happening.

“Hey, sweet cheeks.” He smirked. “If you’re up for some fucking, come with me. I’ll show you what all these frigid bitches in the sarai have been missing out by turning me down.”

Rha jerked his head in his direction. With a snarl, he leaped across the table to Kostya. The human shrank in fear. All bravado left him. He tripped and fell backwards, then tried to crab-walk away from the shadow beast pouncing on him.

Rha’s attack was smooth and graceful, like that of a large, black cat. Landing on Kostya’s chest, he raised his hand to strike.

“Rha! No.” I scrambled across the table and slammed my side into him with force.

Physically, it barely had an impact. But he paused. His nostrils flared, as if hunting for my scent. He turned his head to me, letting Kostya scramble away from under him.

I held Rha’s gaze, speaking to Sigid, “Take everyone out of the room. Now.”

“Come.” Sigid promptly ushered everyone to the door.

A roar ripped from Rha’s throat. He lurched away from me and staggered toward the stairs leading to the lower level.

“Dawn, come. Quickly,” Elaine urged from the door.

I glanced at her, then at the stairs where Rha had gone.

“Sorry, Elaine.” I shook my head. “Please, go without me.”

Worry shook me, but I wasn’t concerned about myself. I didn’t worry about my friends anymore either. They were safe now.

As I ran down the stairs after Rha, my main concern was about him.

Chapter Twenty-Three

DAWN