Page 52 of Their Blood Queen

It would be so much easier if Earl Rinhold was just like the rest of his family. Greedy, ambitious, and conniving.

He doesn’t seem to be any of those things.

In fact, he seems to be a much more suitable mate for Scarlett than I could ever be.

“Well?” Killian asks, setting down his plate.

I sigh and stand. “Scarlett is about to be escorted by the Earl to her new residence. So I think I’ll?—”

He’s on his feet, already challenging what I was about to say. “Fight for her, Cain. Trust me when I say there is no greater regret than letting a compatible mate slip through your fingers. Don’t let that be the nightmare that haunts you for your very long life.”

I know he’s right.

But I also know what would be required if I took Scarlett for myself, even if I did find a way around the blood contract. She might not survive… not unless I managed to locate at least two other compatible monsters to share the burden. They’d have to be compatible with not only me but also her. And they’d need to earn my beast’s approval. So far, I haven’t been in a very sharing mood when it comes to Scarlett Nightingale.

I don’t like Earl Rinhold, even if he seems like someone who would be good for her. It doesn’t matter. He’s still a Rinhold.

I’ve seen enough to know that the family she’s about to get in bed with is a dangerous one.

It wouldn’t hurt to make an appearance and set the record straight. Even if Earl Rinhold isn’t a true threat to Scarlett, there’s still Duke and Duchess Rinhold to worry about.

Scarlett Nightingale might not be mine.

But she is under my protection. And any who harm her will have to go directly through me.

“You’re right, Killian,” I say, earning a wry smile from the male. “I’ll make preparations to attend. And you,” I add, lowering my chin, “you will get on a train to Monster City and take one of Helia’s best suites.”

Killian chuckles. “Sounds like a good deal. See you later, then, Cain.” He claps a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, yeah?”

My beast is the one who smiles back at him, all teeth and wicked intent. “Of course. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

I won’t kill anyone.

But I don’t make any promises that I won’t visit Scarlett Nightingale tonight. Earl Rinhold can have her during the day.

Tonight, when she closes her eyes… she’ll be all mine.

CHAPTER 12

SCARLETT

I try my best not to fidget in the smoothest carriage ride I have ever experienced. My countdown marks have all but faded now, leaving only one pink line down my arm.

In just a few moments, it’ll be gone entirely.

And then thirty more are going to take its place.

I try not to let my nerves get the best of me about where they might show up on my body or how much it’s going to hurt. After seeing my mother shuffle around her room and smile at me just before I left when she had been bedridden for months, I know this is something I have to do.

It doesn’t mean it has to be unenjoyable, I surmise as I wait for my host to engage. He’s not sore on the eyes; that’s for sure. It’s no burden to gaze at his naked forearms as I patiently watch him steal glances at me. He’s rolled up his sleeves for his task, and I half wonder if it’s just to show off his beautiful physique.

As pretty as he is, I am curious as to what he’s preparing. He’s currently occupied with opening up a bottle and pouring its contents into a glass. The carriage ride is so smooth that there’s no risk of anything falling. He places the bottle into a magically chilled basin before swirling the glass.

Earl Rinhold smiles at me from across the enclosed space and offers me the fizzy drink. “Champagne?” he asks.

Blinking at him a few times, I try to catalog all the social beverages I’ve heard of and draw a blank. “I can’t say I have had the pleasure of trying it,” I admit. When encountering something unfamiliar, it’s best not to reveal ignorance.

In this case, Earl Rinhold sees right through me. He wouldn’t have chosen me as his potential bride without having substantially researched me. If I haven’t heard of champagne, it’s because it’s either too rare or too expensive for me to have tried it.