Read NocC 016 - Laura Kaye - Vampire Warrior Kings 02 - Seduced by the Vampire King - Harlequin 2012-06 for Free Online Page B

her feet even as her angry words still echoed against the stone walls. Her uncharacteristic display of weakness put him into motion.
He unlocked and opened the door as she turned for the cot, and wrapped a steadying arm around her shoulders before her knees buckled. Nikolai sucked in a breath at the warm feel of her in his arms, at the soft brush of her hair against his hand, at the feminine scent of her skin, infused as it was with the remnants of his blood. Her voice, her touch, her scent—all these he remembered. Now having seen her beautiful face—the long chocolate waves and ice-blue eyes were a killer combination—his memories of the night became clearer and crisper in his mind. He was mesmerized, fascinated. And she was…she was shaking.
“Sit,” he said, guiding her down and resisting the urge to press her back against the bed, to feel her under him. Instead, he crouched at her knees.
“I’m fine. Just have a headache.”
Nikolai frowned and shouted for Leo, knowing he was manning the security booth and would hear him on the camera’s audio feed. Katherine jumped and cringed at the sound of his voice. “Damn, I’m sorry.”
She shrugged and licked her lips, those pale blue eyes not quite meeting his. “Just a bump on the head. I’m fine.”
There was something she wasn’t saying. He sucked in a breath and was about to ask, when he heard a voice from behind .
“My lord,” Leo said.
Katherine’s eyebrows flew up at the appellation. She narrowed her gaze as if questioning him. “She needs pain medicine. Yes?” He tilted his head and scanned her face. High cheekbones, full mouth, creamy pale skin. Too pale.
“Yes, please.”
“And food, I suspect.” It was more than a suspicion, he could feel the hunger rolling off her. This connection to her needs and emotions was unexpected, and unwelcome. Still, he owed her. “When did you last eat?”
Her eyes flicked over his shoulder, then back to him. “I’m not sure. What time is it?”
“Pushing three in the afternoon.”
She looked down and slid her clasped hands between her thighs. “Dinner, last night.”
Nikolai sucked in a breath and whirled on Leo. “Has she not been offered any food?”
Leo’s eyebrows flew to his hairline. His mouth dropped open, and his gaze cut to the floor by the door to the cell, where a bottle of water sat untouched.
“She has had nothing at all?”
“I’m sorry, my lord.” Leo bowed his head. “I’ll get something, uh, now. I’ll just—” He thumbed over his shoulder and left.
Nikolai crossed the room and retrieved the bottle, then returned to his crouch before her. He removed the lid and held the water out to her. “Drink it. I know I must’ve taken more from you than I should’ve. You are probably dehydrated.”
Katherine eyed the bottle, swallowing hard enough to be audible. “Why do they all listen to you?”
“Because I’m a pain in the ass if they don’t.” Saying any more would lead to conversations there wasn’t a chance in hell he would have. With her. With anyone. “Now, drink.”
She arched an eyebrow at him, and the commentary regarding his command was crystal clear. He almost smiled, except it was obvious she wanted the water, so why didn’t she take it? All at once, he knew. It was the same concern he would’ve had in her position. He put the bottle to his lips and took a long sip, then offered it to her again.
Her shoulders sagged and she accepted the bottle, drinking nearly half of it at once. Twin reactions coursed through Nikolai—regret that she didn’t trust him enough to take the water before he’d proven it clean, and satisfaction at seeing one of her needs sated. And at having a hand in that.
Truly, he couldn’t blame her for the mistrust. Hadn’t he approached her the same way? Wary. Questioning. Not to mention his brethren had thrown her in a dungeon. The satisfaction, though, that was a whole other animal. In and of itself, something to be distrusted. Because the root of