Bonds of the Vampire King (Blood Fire Saga Book 7) by Bella Klaus (romantic books to read TXT) 📗

Zella shoving me into a cell the size of the cubicle of a public toilet. “Is the prison fancier than the enforcers’ dormitories?”

“Possibly,” he said. “I’ve never needed to visit the barracks.”

“Why not?”

“Few Lamia residents join our Law Enforcement Division.”

I bit my lip, sifting through the implications of his words. Most vampires were wealthy enough to never need to work, especially in jobs that involved risking their lives. Those who required employment applied for it at Valentine’s property company.

The captain opened the door to a large room of porcelain walls illuminated by a silver chandelier. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided a view of the Champs-Élysées, a tree-lined avenue that led to the Arc de Triomphe.

I turned to Valentine and frowned. “Is this the prison?”

He ushered me inside. “I’m afraid we’ll have to make do with artificial views of Paris, but it’s only for a week.”

My mouth dropped open. It wasn’t like I was complaining about the beautiful pewter sofas, silver armchairs, or any of the expensive decor that belonged to a five-star hotel room. How on earth was this fair?

I turned away from the living area to the other side of the room, where a rococo-style bed stood beneath a canopy of chiffon silk. Sculpted silver moldings made up its head and footboard, and at either side of the elaborate antique stood a side table adorned with an equally ornate lamp.

“How thoughtful,” Valentine said, his voice breaking through my stupor of shock.

He strolled to a side table and picked up a card belonging to a massive wicker hamper containing magnums of champagne, boxes of truffles, candles, bath salts, and massage oil.

Sitting next to it was a huge arrangement of ivory lilies, pearl-colored roses, and orchids as white as daisy petals. I shook my head and clenched my teeth, not wanting to rant about the Council of Ministers within earshot of Captain Zella.

The captain cleared her throat. “Miss Griffin, should you wish to leave the cell at any time, the wards will let you out.”

“Thanks.” I glanced at Valentine, looking for a reaction, but he inclined his head at the tall woman and smiled.

As soon as she left, I whirled on Valentine and clenched my fists. “Is this really about getting a honeymoon?”

He cupped the side of my face. “These few days with you have been the happiest I’ve spent in years, but I wanted more time with you alone.”

“You should have said—”

Valentine placed a finger on my lips. “You needed to reconnect with your aunt.” Then he kissed me on the temple. “She has missed you as much as I.”

I rested my head against his hard chest, listening to the thrum of his heart. “You’re crazy.”

“For the opportunity to have you all to myself,” he murmured into my hair. “The moment we return to the palace, I’ll have the responsibility of Logris, the property company, the Supernatural Council, and whatever mischief my brothers have attracted.”

I snorted a laugh at the mention of the princes. Those four were beyond aggravating.

“What about Kresnik?” I asked.

He rubbed a slow circle over the small of my back. “It took him years to escape from Hell. I doubt he will break through those wards in a week.”

I narrowed my eyes. “We should at least tip the weapons with snake bile.”

“We’ll pass the job on to Caiman.” He placed a soft kiss on my lips. “At least here, my only responsibility is your satisfaction.”

“Is that right?” I drew back, meeting his smiling eyes.

Valentine’s hand slipped down to my hips. “Is there something you desire, Innamorata?”

A knock sounded on the door.

He stepped in front of me, positioning himself as a barrier between me and whoever wanted to enter our cell. “Who is it?”

The door swung open, and Prince Draconius stood in the doorway, wearing a white military suit with gold trim around its high collar. Gone were all the medals, replaced by a single red sash.

“I see that the Council is finally holding you accountable for your degeneracy,” drawled the ancient vampire.

Annoyance tightened my skin. I thought Valentine told him to stay the hell away. What was he still doing in Logris?

“What do you want?” Valentine said.

“Just to inform you that someone has instigated a vote of no confidence and is petitioning me to step in as your replacement.”

Valentine stiffened.

My shoulders sagged. Of all the times for Prince Draconius to slither back, why did it have to be now, when Valentine was going to be locked up for seven days?

The vampire prince folded his arms across his chest and jutted out his chin. “Any last requests before I take the throne?”

“Get out,” Valentine snarled.

Prince Draconius smirked. “Once I have control of your kingdom, I will take every one of your possessions, including the phoenix!”

Chapter Nine

Valentine reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and snarled at its screen.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“There’s no reception.”

I rubbed the back of my head. “This is technically a jail, so…”

He met my gaze with narrowed eyes as though daring me to reprimand a prisoner for expecting the same comforts afforded to any free citizen of Logris. I raised my chin, meeting his stare with a glower.

“That’s what you get for saying nothing while Hades ambushed you into this predicament.” I placed my hands on my hips. “He’s the least of our enemies. So is Prince Draconius. Kresnik is out there, working his way through those wards. Nobody knows the extent of his network of followers, and nobody knows why he went to the Realm of the Gods and if he was successful.”

Valentine ran a hand through his hair. “You’re right.”

I reared back. “What?”

“While you were gone, I buried myself in work. When I wasn’t fixing the mess the Mage King made of Lamia or helping the authorities apprehend Kresnik’s followers, I was reliving my death.”

All the frustration building in my belly deflated, and my shoulders sagged. I walked to the other side of the room and lowered myself beside Valentine onto the sofa. Placing a palm on his chest, I asked in