She didn’t comment on the name he’d given her. The warning was clear: In his mind Camilla was on her way to slaughter. He saw no need to name his meal.

He jerked his chin to the left.

A cave mouth yawned wide, a bastion of safety for the twilight creature and certain death for Camilla. If the vampire trapped her inside, she would stand little chance of escape.

“I don’t care for the dark,” Camilla said. “Mr.…”

“Blade.” He smiled, fangs gleaming. “Now move before I make you.”

Blade didn’t give her a chance to act on her own, he hauled her to her feet and roughly pushed her toward the cave. He didn’t hide his supernatural strength, didn’t pull back like Envy must have been doing each time he touched her.

Blade dragged her across the sand, the grains seeping into her slippers, chafing her skin as she kicked her feet, scrambling for purchase. They were just outside the cave and no amount of struggling would break the vampire’s iron grip.

Blade brought his mouth to her neck, and she stilled. “Don’t forget to bow.”

He shoved her across the cave opening.

Instead of finding herself inside the cave as she’d expected, she staggered into a beautifully appointed chamber. She blinked at the gleaming black floors, her reflection wide-eyed and wild where it stared back at her.

The cave was a portal to the castle.

Camilla immediately schooled her features.

Looking like prey in a place where she was prey wouldn’t serve her.

Her attention drifted along the polished floor to the walls, black brocade shot through with crimson threads.

Her heart pounded. Her attention slid farther, to the center of the room.

A dais, a throne, and… there sat the vampire prince himself, hair pale wheat, eyes ice blue, an inhuman expression on his ageless face. He was taking her in, his gaze traveling from the top of her head, pausing on her neck, then continuing down to her feet until he dragged it back up and fastened it to her face.

He did not seem impressed. It was either very fortunate or extremely unfortunate.

Recalling what Blade had said, Camilla went to her knees, dipping her chin to her chest. Far better to play the game and live than choose defiance and end up dead.

Or worse.

She kept her attention fixed on the floor in front of her, even as a pair of buffed boots silently stepped into her line of sight, the toes gleaming silver.

He moved like a shadow.

Two icy fingers lifted her chin, forcing her to gaze back. Into the eyes of a monster.

A beautiful monster.

Camilla’s mouth went dry, her command over her body drifting away. She’d heard rumors that royal vampires were the most lethal, the most powerful, especially when they touched you. Those stories were horribly true.

The prince hadn’t even spoken yet, hadn’t done more than gently press two finger pads to her skin, and Camilla’s body was ready to give him anything he desired.

An overwhelming need to please him, to arch her neck or offer her wrist, allowing him the honor of penetrating her skin with his fangs, overtook her.

What made it more terrifying was that she remained aware of the danger, the terror of what he was doing, but she was powerless to resist. Her body wanted his venom.

His gaze turned molten as it traveled along her skin.

A few moments earlier, even more flesh had been exposed from when she and Envy had been mad with desire. Camilla silently thanked Blade for telling her to cover up; that tiny mercy was a lifeline.

The prince held up her arm, his thumb stroking the pulse point at her wrist.

Terror gripped her mind, but her body buzzed. She wanted to cry, but only managed a small whimper that sounded suspiciously close to need.

“Your Highness.”

The cool voice cut through the heat.

“This is the one who said your name. I found her with Envy.”

The prince dropped her arm, his nostrils flaring, scenting her.

She stumbled back, no longer caring if she offended him. Camilla wanted to be as far away from his deadly touch as possible, though her body still angled toward him, yearning. His hold over her hadn’t dissipated fully yet.

He looked her over with new interest.

“Envy’s paramour.”

The vampire prince’s voice was silky, designed to seduce. She wondered how many mortals had lost their lives to that sinful sound.

“Or a diversion, Zarus.”

“One way to find out.”

“I would strongly counsel sending her back,” Blade said. “Wrath is primed to attack. We don’t need to lose a potential ally in Envy, too.”

The prince’s smile was razor-sharp.

“Bathe her. I want the demon stench removed before dinner.”

Camilla didn’t return to her full senses until Blade dragged her out of the throne room and slammed the door shut.

He whirled on her.

“Do you wish to start a war, little lamb?”

“It doesn’t seem to matter what I want,” she said, rubbing her arms.

“Allow me to impart some advice.” Blade advanced on her, rage burning in his crimson gaze. “Do not offer yourself up to the prince. Pitting two courts against each other won’t end well for anyone.”

“As if I had any choice. You do realize his touch removes all bodily control?”

His gaze darkened with suspicion.

“Not possible. That only happens when he gifts a mortal with his tongue. Terror should be clawing at your heart. Not desire.”

Blade’s attention swept the corridor, and she could see he was thinking quickly. He yanked her forward again, his voice low.

“Does Envy know what you are?”

No, but he’s been trying hard to figure it out, she thought.

“I’m an artist.”

Blade slammed her up against the wall.

“No amount of magic hides the truth in blood.”

Blade looked like he was considering biting her. She held his stare, silently daring him to.

She swore he’d regret it.

“Act afraid next time you’re near Zarus, or he will become curious. I saw your reaction. Be thankful he wasn’t paying attention. I promise intrigue is the last emotion you’d like to invoke in him. Do you wish to leave here?”

Camilla nodded.

“Then fight your true nature. Or find yourself his new princess.” He finally loosened his hold, and she peeled herself away from the wall.

“Why are you helping me?”

“I am helping my court. We are standing on a knife’s edge at present, thanks to a foolish play our prince recently made, and I will protect these vampires at all costs. If that means feeding you to the wolves, I won’t hesitate to do that instead.”

He leaned past her and opened a door she hadn’t realized they’d been pressed up next to.

“Lock the door. Do not open it for anyone until I come for you again.”

He didn’t say the precaution was to keep the prince away, but Camilla knew that was what he’d meant. The warning was there, flashing in his eyes. The only reason she hadn’t already been bitten was because Blade had intervened. Twice.

Camilla didn’t want to owe him any more favors. She sensed they didn’t come for free.

She ducked under his arm and did as he’d suggested, wondering, as the bolt slid home, how she’d control her senses the next time Zarus touched her. It seemed there were indeed some truths she couldn’t run from, no matter how hard she tried.

Blood will out, as they say.

A castle filled with vampires was perhaps the most dangerous place for someone with secrets like hers.

Blade returned directly after her bath, looking freshly bathed as well.

Camilla couldn’t help but feel disappointment when she heard his voice on the other side of the door. She’d never been the type to turn to religion, but she’d prayed Envy would be standing there, looking suspiciously close to an angel. Something she knew he’d hate.