All Chapters of Annesa, Vampire King's Mate: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

"He will come." Annesa stared at him. "And that is exactly what I want." Her expression changed. Malthus smiled. "Do you think I don't understand Eryx?" He leaned back. "I know his habits." "I know his allies." "I know the rebels who hide beneath his protection." "And I know what happens when someone he loves is threatened." Annesa's heart tightened. "You don't know him." Malthus smiled. "I know him better than you think." Annesa said nothing. Malthus continued. "As we speak, Eryx is chasing false tracks in the eastern mountains." Annesa's eyes widened slightly. "Lilith's shadow legion has been waiting for him." Her breath caught. Malthus laughed. "By the time he discovers the trap..." He paused deliberately. "...you will already be bound to the Crown." Annesa forced herself not to react. But Malthus noticed. Of course he did. His smile widened. "There." He pointed at her. "That." "What?" "That little flicker in your ey

A subtle click echoed through the iron grate of the tower door. Annesa's eyes snapped open. For the past several hours, she had been sitting beside the narrow window of her cell, staring at the mountains beyond the fortress walls. The storm had grown worse. Snow swept across the distant peaks like smoke. Occasionally, the sound of war horns reached the tower. Far away. But getting closer. The Shadow Battalion was coming. Eryx was coming. Yet instead of feeling relieved, Annesa felt an unfamiliar pressure tightening around her chest. Another metallic sound came from the door. Annesa immediately stood. Her hand slipped beneath the hem of her gown. Her

Malthus turned toward the door. "Come." Annesa didn't move. "I won't go anywhere with you." Malthus looked back. "You can stay." He shrugged. "Eryx will eventually reach this tower." Annesa's eyes flickered. "And then?" "He will find an empty room." Malthus smiled. "And perhaps..." He paused. "...another woman." Annesa's heart sank. "Lilith." "Exactly." Malthus's smile became wider. "I have no reason to keep her." Annesa stared at him. "You are abandoning the Queen?" Malthus laughed. "Queen?"

"Your blood." Annesa stiffened. "When I first tasted it..." He paused. "My mind became quiet." Annesa turned around. "What?" "The anger disappeared." "The hunger became quieter." "The voices stopped." Malthus's expression became almost confused. "I have spent centuries trying to control what I became." His eyes rested on Annesa. "Yet one taste of your blood did what nothing else could." Annesa's expression hardened. "So you want to keep me because of my blood." "At first." "And now?" Malthus didn't answer immediately. His arms tightened slightly around her—not violently, but enough to remind her that she was surrounded by his strength. "Now I don't know." Annesa looked away. Malthus continued. "I bought you because I was interested in you." "You were supposed to become mine." "I thought possessing you would satisfy my curiosity." His voice became quieter. "But then I discovered something I never expected." "What?" Malthus looke

Annesa's sleep had never been particularly peaceful since becoming a vampire. Sometimes she slept deeply. Sometimes she woke at the slightest sound. And sometimes her body seemed to fall asleep while her mind continued wandering through memories she wished she could forget. That morning was no different. Her breathing was uneven beneath the heavy blanket. One moment she was curled slightly toward the window; the next, she had unconsciously shifted toward the other side of the bed. Eventually, her eyes opened. For several seconds, Annesa didn't remember where she was. The ceiling was unfamiliar. The room was quiet. The fireplace had burned down to a faint orange glow. Then she felt something beside her. Annesa slowly turned her head. And froze. Malthus was sleeping on the opposite side of the bed. Except sometime during the night, they had somehow moved closer. Very close. His face was only a short distance from hers. Annesa stared. His black hair was slightly dishev