Page 98 of Clash of Kingdoms

“I’m okay.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead as he gripped the back of my neck.

“Let me help you.” I put his arm over my shoulder so I could support him the way Clara had supported Cobra, but just his arm alone was too heavy for me.

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” My father walked over, his eyes on Aurelias, full of admiration and pride. “I got him.” He threw Aurelias’s arm over his shoulder and walked him across the field back toward the castle.

I watched them stop at King Serpentine, who shared a couple words with his son. His face was as hard as it’d been when he’d walked down there, like something displeased him, perhaps the fact that most of the vampires had died in the attack. Then my father and Aurelias kept going, heading back toward the castle where they could rest. People helped the other vampires and escorted them back to their tents.

I followed my father and Aurelias, but instead of walking into the castle, they moved to the line of tents where the vampires were camped. My father escorted him to one tent then let him stand on his own. There was a bonfire there, illuminating the space and the other tents in the distance.

Aurelias turned to look at me, knowing I’d been there the entire time.

My father glanced back and forth between us before he silently excused himself from the campsite.

Aurelias unsnapped his chest plate and let it fall to the dirt because it was useless now. His eyes were tired, more tired than I’d ever seen them. But he straightened and held himself upright as he looked at me. “Return to the castle. It’s not safe for you here.”

“But I’m with you.”

His eyes turned guarded before he looked away. “Go to the castle.”

“You just got back, and you want me to leave?—”

“I need to feed.” He didn’t look at me as he said it. “It’s the only way I’ll heal.”

My heart fell like a stone once again, dropping into a pit.

“I’ll die if I don’t.” He slowly turned his head to look at me. “So, leave…please.”

The memory of his body pressed up against hers, his lips against her flesh, her hand in the front of her trousers…was enough to make me hurt all over again.

He closed his eyes like he felt it.

“Feed from me.”

His eyes remained closed. “No.”

“Aurelias—”

“I don’t have the energy for this.” His eyes opened, and he looked at me, his gaze furious. “I told you I won’t change my mind.”

“I want to make you strong?—”

“Harlow—”

“Why not?”

His restraint snapped, and he unleashed a howl that echoed throughout the entire campsite. “Because I’ll kill you.” He slammed both of his fists against his chest to release his anger.

I stilled at his ferocity, seeing a new side to him I’d never witnessed.

“I’ll drain the blood out of you…and I’ll fucking kill you.” He seethed, breathing hard as the fire of rage continued to burn inside him. “That’s why, Harlow. Now get the fuck out of here.”

“You didn’t kill that woman?—”

“Please.” He closed his eyes again, restraining his fury.

“Aurelias—”

He opened his eyes and walked toward me, staring me down with threat in his eyes. “I didn’t kill her because I didn’t love her. But I will kill you because I won’t be able to stop. My fangs will hook into your flesh and never leave. I will feel your pulse grow quicker and quicker and then fainter and fainter until it’s gone…and I still won’t stop. Now, for fuck’s sake, leave.” He raised his voice and screamed at me. “Leave!”