43. The secret door

Neem

I hesitate at the threshold of the Prince’s chambers and he looks back at me.

“Don’t dally.”

It‘s my first time in his chambers and for the first time since he asked me to follow him I feel unease. I have no business being here unless... does he want to feed?

Apart from the taste of me he had during The Choosing, he has not showed any interest in tasting my blood or feeding on me but now, my body starts to tremble at the thought that I might have let my guard down too early.

I remember Mia’s fierce eyes, her seriousness when she told me to stay away from the prince. Should I have taken her more seriously?

“Everyone I’ve ever brought in here has always commended my decor.” He says conversationally and strides to his bookshelf.

I watch him with wide eyes from the threshold, afraid and unsure of his game. He glances back and sees me lingering there, like an untrusting foal and he huffs.

“They all had tongues though.” He says. “Father says the unholy tradition is necessary, to ke