Page 95 of Hunt Me

“There is no need to fret, my King.”

“No need to fret? You did not see her! She was licking the chalice and suckling on her gown like a babe.”

“Relax,” Ezra insisted.

“How can I when it’s possible she may have turned?”

“It would be in your favor. She becomes immortal, and you shall have your fated mate for eternity. Must I remind you that the child is a hybrid? I would believe it was typical for a halfling vampire to crave blood.”

“I concur; however, she was so… animalistic. It was unsettling.”

Ezra huffed. “I can imagine, considering how feral the woman was before you dumped your seed in her.”

Luka laughed and held his hands behind his back as they traversed the hall. “May I confide in you?”

“You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t dump your shit in my lap.”

“I must confess that I despise Queen Matilda’s lady-in-waiting.”

Ezra snickered, and his snickers soon turned into uncontrollable snorts.

“I fail to see the humor in my situation.”

“Do tell why you despise the orc whom your betrothed loves dearly.”

“The orc’s speech and mannerisms towards Matilda are brutish to the point I question if she is truly friend or foe.”

“That is their true nature. Point me in the direction of a gentle orc, and I’ll call you a liar. Matilda is a somewhat decent judge of character and can handle herself. Must I remind you that I was hostile to her after her arrival?”

“Indeed. What has changed?” Luka questioned, noting the far-off look in his former advisor’s eyes.

“Once you look past the fact that she’s human and a notorious vampire executioner, it is easy to see how capable she is.”

“She is no delicate flower, is she?” Luka said with a small smile.

“No. She is riddled with thorns. The wedding quickly approaches. Are you prepared, my King?”

“That depends. Should I prepare for a red wedding?”

“House Belmore,” Ezra commented.

Luka nodded, understanding the gravity. House Belmore was allied with House Marquis. It only made sense they would seek revenge.

“How certain are you?”

“They are not a viable threat as of yet.”

“It is the ‘as of yet’ that has unnerved me. What shall I do, Ezra?”

“I am only a lowly bodyguard, not an advisor,” Ezra reminded him.

“We have no time for banter,” Luka responded, speaking lowly in a tone that suggested his patience was beginning to wear thin.

“You could preemptively eliminate them; however, an action such as that could potentially lead to an uprising from the remainder of the houses and increased unease and distrust from the populace. My biggest fear is that the noble houses would align with Prince Lykaon and potentially help fund a war agenda to usurp you from power. I have not heard of a direct threat to you nor the huntress.”

“So, we wait,” Luka said tiredly.

“So, we wait,” Ezra confirmed.