Read Online Chosen by Blood by Virna Depaul - Free Book Online Page B

parental issues? I’m feeling sick enough as it is.”
    Knox sighed but let the matter drop. “Fine. If you don’t want to talk about your parental issues, can we talk about mine? Because, well, Mother and I have been going round about several issues, as well.”
    With rounded eyes, his brother raised a hand to his chest. “No. You? Mr.-Duty-and-Honor-Above-All-Else? What could she possibly find at fault with you? Other than your hard-on for a human, of course.”
    “Don’t go there, Zeph,” Knox said, his voice flat. He couldn’t stand for anyone disrespecting Felicia with such talk, even his own brother, and reducing his feelings for Felicia to a bodily reaction was disrespectful to them both. “While I may seem a bit rigid when it comes to duty”—Knox gritted his teeth at Zeph’s combo snort and eye roll—“it’s because I’ve had to work twice as hard as the rest of you to earn the clan’s trust and respect. I’m well aware that if it weren’t for Mother’s failing health and my continuing strength, I would never have been allowed to lead.”
    “True. It wasn’t as if the clan took your heroism, superior strategic skills, and your ability to kick ass into account.” Zeph scowled. “Get over it, Knox. You more than earned the clan’s trust during the War.”
    “And lost much of it just as easily when I signed the Treaty with the humans. Your father never fails to remind me of that, Zeph, and he’s made his opinion of Felicia quite clear.”
    “ Ahhh, that’s right. He thinks you’re better off with someone else. So how’d it go? The first meet-and-greet with your intended fiancée. I can’t believe I haven’t asked yet.” Zeph turned away, his shoulders rigid with what Knox suspected was the effort to keep himself upright. “What did you think of the beautiful Michelle Burgeon?”
    “She’s beautiful, certainly. And willing.”
    “Willing to take second place to Felicia?”
    The sudden intensity in Zeph’s voice made Knox hesitate. “I explained the situation and she agrees that a union between our families and the production of a child is sufficient cause to marry.”
    “Then congratulations. I hope Felicia has grown more open-minded in the past year.” Zeph coughed several times and winced as he turned to face Knox. “You know, you may be right about my needing to rest.”
    “I’ll help you—”
    Zeph glared at him. “The day I need you to help me to bed is the day I hire someone to cut out my heart.”
    Knox froze. “Fine.” He watched his brother’s slow exit, then turned toward the east side of the residence. Remembering his mother’s request, he headed toward the children’s wing, which entailed taking a series of winding corridors. Along the way, he thought of Kyle Mahone and the woman who continued to affect his life despite her valiant efforts to stay as far away from him as possible.
    Had Mahone told Felicia about Knox’s demands?
    If he had, how would he deal with her refusal?
    Because Knox didn’t doubt for a second that Felicia’s initial response would be refusal.
    He heard the children before he saw them. They were having their afternoon history lesson with Serena, their tutor. Stopping in the doorway, he watched the twins, who sat properly erect in their little wooden chairs but for their swinging feet. They took turns making faces at each other while trying to pretend they were listening to their teacher.
    “Your French isn’t any better than it was before you visited France, chérie . Tell me, Joelle, what were you doing the whole time in France that you didn’t have time to study the language?”
    Knox frowned at the critically phrased question. Joelle had been doing exactly what Knox had encouraged her to do. Playing with her cousins. Having fun. Running around the gated estate in a country where vamps still hid who they were and, for now it seemed, led better lives for their silence. At least, dharmires did. But Knox knew the “don’t ask,