Page 79 of Hunt Me

“Have my belongings transferred to my former chambers immediately upon our return.”

“Halt the carriage!” Luka shouted. The carriage stopped suddenly, lurching the passengers forward.

“King Alesi, where are you going?”

“Away from her before I lose my mind!” he snapped, exiting the carriage. Matilda followed him, wanting to give him a piece of her mind.

“Matilda, please return to the carriage,” Ezra called after her.

“You are a coward, Luka!”

“I take offense to your words. I am doing what I feel is right to protect you and our child.”

“You are wrong, Luka. When our child grows older and asks who their father is, I will say nothing because you threw us away like nothing!”

“You hold your tongue, you evil, spiteful woman!” King Alesi snarled, whirling around to face her.

“Evil and spiteful? I haven’t shown you evil and spiteful yet!”

“Then let’s see it! Come on! Let’s see it!”

“As you wish, my King. Beta David would never!” Matilda exclaimed without hesitation. That stung more than Luka was prepared for. Partly because he knew she was right.

“Then you may have him. He is in the dungeon… what’s left of him.”

Matilda paused, and a slow smirk made its presence known. “Thank you, my King. Please excuse my appearance from the announcement. You can invent an excuse for my absence. You’re good at that—coming up with excuses,” she accused before curtsying and climbing back into the carriage.

“One child dying wasn’t enough for you?” he shouted.

Luka immediately regretted his words when Matilda popped her head out the carriage window. He could see her holding back sorrowful tears.

“You know… I want to be angry with you,” she spoke softly. “But I’m angrier at myself for believing I could trust you. I’ve always been a fool, and I’ll die a fool because of a vampire. I think you proved it, King Alesi.” He swallowed the lump of misery that lodged in his throat. “You proved that you truly have no soul. Ezra, let’s go, or you’ll be walking back.”

“One moment, Matilda. I’d like to have a word with King Alesi.”

She nodded before giving the men their privacy.

Luka sighed as he followed his former advisor a distance away. “I do not require a lecture.”

“Then I shall not lecture but offer some friendly advice.”

“Your friendly advice is lectures.”

“So be it. The two of you are unfit, and perhaps it’s time to conclude that your differences are too stark.”

“I can’t lose her.”

“You are well on your way to doing so. The last backhanded comment might have sealed your fate.”

“I admit that was untoward of me.”

“Untoward?”

Ezra clicked his tongue and continued walking the road with his hands cupped firmly behind his back. “Always so stubborn. The challenge from House Marquis was surprising yet shouldn’t have been unforeseeable on our end. I am certain that most vampires of Night Falls feel that having not only a human but a huntress rule by your side is abominable. We should’ve prepared, or perhaps the two of you should’ve kept your carnality in check.”

“Impossible,” Luka whispered.

“How so?”