“In war, enemies will come at you from every direction.” Alexander’s voice rang through the cave silencing them. “You have to be alert every second of every minute. Or you’re dead.” He moved to the center, his footsteps the only sound in the cave. “Pick up your swords,” he commanded. They scrambled to their feet, swords scraping over stone, as they obeyed. “From this moment until I say stop…” His eyes bored into them as he said, “…everyone is your enemy.”
The young vampires exchanged uncertain looks, their eyes wide.
“Now!” Alexander shouted, snatching a sword from the one closest to him. He attacked without mercy. They scattered, panicked cries echoing around the cave. Some tried to raise their sword, but there was no escaping him. He used the flat side of his blade to strike their shoulders, backs, thighs—each blow punishing.
Their fight spilled out of the cave and into the forest, their swords gleaming dully beneath the dim moon. They fought between towering trees, ducked beneath low branches covered in snow.
One of them lunged too close and his blade sliced across Alexander’s arm before he could deflect it.
He bit down hard on the inside of his cheek, swallowing a moan. Blood welled and trailed down his arm to fall silently on the snow-covered ground.
But he didn’t stop fighting.
He pushed them for hours until one by one, they collapsed to the forest floor.
Alexander stood over them, barely out of breath, his sword resting across his shoulder.
“Go. Rest,” he said. “Tonight, we continue.”
A chorus of groans followed as they dragged themselves upright tiredly. One by one, they vanished into the night.
Greer stood nearby, watching him. Something like pride shining in his eyes.
“It feels like old times,” he said.
A smile tugged at Alexander’s lips. “It does,” he said as he handed the sword over. “Take care of this.”
Greer reached for it, but he stalled when his eyes dropped to Alexander’s arm.
“You’re hurt.”
Alexander glanced down at his arm, pressing his hand over the cut. The blood had already dried. “It’s a small cut,” he said dismissively. “It’ll be healed by tomorrow. Don’t worry about it.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Greer said, though he hesitated before he disappeared, leaving Alexander alone.
Snow started to fall softly, blanketing the forest in white. Alexander stood and watched.
He’d dreamed of bringing his bride here, of showing her his beautiful home. He wondered if she’d like it. Boaz’s face rose unbidden in his mind, replacing Lylas.
Alexander snarled, and just like that, the calm he’d found vanished.
Chapter 16
Boaz
“What’s his deal?” Hansel grumbled as he stared at Alexander. The vampire sat at a table across from theirs. And as always, Lyla was right there next to him. “He’s been staring at us ever since he got here.”
Boaz followed his gaze and regretted it the moment his eyes met Alexander’s. Before, he’d only been aware of the vampire when he got too close. But now… it didn’t matter how far away he was.
Boaz could feel him. An innocent glance felt like a caress, the slightest movement had Boaz snapping to attention and holding his breath.
It was maddening.
As if the vampire secretly held a remote that could turn his body from cold to instantly hot in seconds.
Boaz dropped his gaze to his plate, cussing the vampire as a tingling sensation slowly crawled down his spine, making him shift in his seat.
He forced himself to eat, shoving food into his mouth so he could get out of here.