Basque snorted, curling his lips. Circling back to the doors, I froze. Viceroy Falco stood between me and the church. His thin lips stretched into a grin. Neighing, Basque pawed the ground as if to declare his own disdain for the visitor.

Did he figure it out? Does he know?

I aimed to step around him. He gripped my throat, slamming me against the wall next to the door. My shoulder blades ached against the cold stone. His fingers dug deeper into my neck, limiting my air. His eyes glowed red in the darkness, his fanged grin wild and feral. With his freehand, Falco tore away my hat. I struggled, my braid falling between us. He leaned in, forcing his lips on mine. I twisted away, but he pressed harder forcing his tongue pass only to be bitten and he moaned with delight. His weight against me was infuriating, why am I letting him overpower me so easily. The smell of the cologne and blood flooded me, and my stomach turned. Nothing about him has changed. It’s like our last night together all over again.

“Oh, how I’ve missed you, Dante.” Gripping his arm, I ripped it away. “So tall, broad… stronger.”

Wheezing for air, my neck stung. Dammit! Does he still want me in that way?

“I suppose digging in the dirt for ten years did you some good.” Tossing my hat at me, I caught it, crushing it in my fist and throwing it to the ground in defeat. “The rare tone of your skin, the muscles in those arms and torso, my what wonderful improvements. At first glance, I wondered if I was dreaming, the prince, back in Glensdale?”

He knew it from the start. Taking in a staggering breath, I croaked, “Why stage my death–”

Before my words could finish, his hand gripped my mouth. He shoved me back, my skull connecting with the stone wall. The world shook. My head rung from the impact. A warm trickle slid down the back of my neck. I had to fight my eyes to stay straight as they attempted to crisscross again and again. His breath hit the side of my neck. Memories of our last night together shook through me. My fright brought back my focus, eyes straight. Jerking forward against him, he pressed harder and his lips found my ear. Gripping at his arm over my mouth, digging into jaw, I couldn’t push him back. My anger was eating me alive, we were of the same build now and still I couldn’t dominate over him.

Does he plan on inflicting the madness on me? Biting me for old time’s sake, like when we... when he...

“How in love are you with your precious priest, I wonder.” Nuzzling my neck, I shuddered as he kissed my skin, inhaling my scent like a predator to its fresh caught prey. “Does he know you were in my bed? Does he know you watched with curious eyes as I took the last priest of Glensdale?” He ran his tongue across the vein he once pierced in the throes of passion. “Does he know how I once fed on you and took your Madness away for the sheer intimacy of the act? How jealous he must be, no?”

The heat of my ire rose, letting go of his arm, I aimed for his neck. My fingers grazed his skin and he let go, laughing. I growled in frustration, eyes falling on the hilt of his sword. He could slice me in half if I tried to fight him with no weapon or shield. The knife on my thigh was only good for utility purposes and would snap under the weight and precision of Falco’s sword.

Next time, I’ll have a sword and be able to fight back. My fists balled, holding back my desire to beat his face in.

“I do indeed like this new version of you, Dante. Handsome and a fighting spirit.” Viceroy Falco’s eyes were filled with excitement, his shoulders shuddering as it rattled through him. “Don’t worry, my little prince. I will keep your secret safe from your lovely priest as long as you play along with me.”

“What do you want, Falco?” Rubbing the warm slick line on the back of my neck, my fingers returned covered in blood. “You’re always after something.”

“La Dame d’Croc.” The smile fell away, Falco’s jaw twitching. “I want it back.”

“It was never yours to have.” His fist slammed into my cheek bone, sending me spiraling to my knees.

The taste of blood danced on my tongue, the inside of my cheek bleeding where my teeth had dug into flesh. Glaring up at Falco, I spit across his feet. A bright flash filled my vision as his boot struck the side of my face. My back thudded against the wall, my spine lit on fire with pain. Basque fussed and snorted, unsure what to do. Another kick to the ribs left me desperate for air.

The old man would have my hide for letting this asshole beat me down like this. A smile crept across my bloodied lips. I could hear words from the Lord Knight, if you’re still bleeding, you ain’t dead yet; suck it up, buttercup.

“Where is it? Tell me, or I’ll march in there and put the stains back across the pulpit where I prefer them to be!” He sounded like a child throwing a tantrum. “ANSWER ME!”

Hugging my ribs, my cheek throbbing, I growled, “I don’t know. Threw it in the woods over ten years ago.”

Reaching down, he gripped my jaw, and I flinched expecting another onslaught of punches.

“Then I suggest,” he hissed, forcing me to look at him. “You fucking find it before I make you watch me drain every last drop from him after he’s seen you bent over my bed like a whore.”

“What’s going on out here?” John’s voice sent me in a panic.

Falco let go.

No, you idiot. Go back inside, where it’s safe! Gripping Falco’s wrist, I refused to let him go anywhere. “We were finishing up our conversation.” I came to my feet, ignoring the aches and throbs.

Falco’s eyes narrowed and I let go. “It’s finished, for now.”

Rubbing his wrist, he looked to the bare-chested priest at the doorway. Lifting an eyebrow, he smirked. He returned his stare to me, his lips moving, I want him. Catching my breath, we were still within arm’s length. Spitting at Falco, blood hit the ground between us from my broken bottom lip, blood dripping from my chin. John took a step further out of the door and stopped, seeing my body stiffen in alarm. I could feel my cheek swelling, but I refused to take my eyes from the Viceroy. Falco licked his lips as if wishing he could have a taste of me or even John. John shifted again, making Viceroy Falco lean toward me. I held my breath, fists ready to react.

With a sparkle in his eye, Falco whispered, “Game on, and John’s the prize.”

“Viceroy Falco.” John’s expression filled with rage. “Never lay a hand on him again. As his keeper, it’s my duty to protect…”

“Keeper?” Laughter poured out of Falco, “I see why you like him. He’s got some fight in him too.”

“Falco,” I wobbled forward, ribs stinging and hissed, “Game on.”