The dinner wound down at three, and Danika couldn’t have been more relieved. After she and William shook hands with everyone, and thanked them for coming, she shut the front door, leaned upon it, and closed her eyes.
The kings and Garon had retired to the study to await her while she changed. She opened her eyes to find William staring at her with questions written all over his face.
“They didn’t call for you, so you don’t need to worry. You can go upstairs. It’s been a long couple of nights, and you have done a wonderful job. Thank you for everything.”
“No, thank you, for doing this for me, my lord. I’ve not felt like I belonged somewhere since my mother died. You changed that. You’ve changed me. I belong now, I have a home. Thank you for that. And if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to join you in your meeting.”
Danika smiled. “I’m glad you’ve found your place. Honestly, I don’t think I would have made it through the last few weeks without you at my side. You’re a great friend.”
William returned her smile.
“But, I’m afraid that unless you’re called for, you haven’t been invited. And as much as I would love for you to join me, it’s better that you rest. You’ll hear all about it tomorrow evening.”
William frowned, but nodded.
“Come, help me upstairs to change.” A few house members milled around. Danika wondered if Chase had known the kings and Garon were coming.
The house slaves moved much slower, but were still cleaning up from the celebration. She walked up the stairs with her hand on William’s. Mason followed. There hadn’t been a chance to speak to him since they’d gone down to the celebration. She wondered what he would say if they did speak. He’d taken everything in from his statue-like stance behind her at the dinner table. When they reached her room, she turned to him.
“Mason, when was the last time you ate?”
“Last night.”
He’d spent the whole evening watching after her and she hadn’t even seen to his basic needs.
“Mason, why didn’t you say anything? Go downstairs now and eat before the house slaves devour all the leftovers,” she said.
“I stay with you till they leave.”
She didn’t want to argue with him. It did make her feel better to have him there, but he needed to eat. She shook her head. “No, you need to eat. Go.”
“No,” he said.
Her eyes narrowed. “No?” she questioned.
“No, thank you, Lord Danika.” His voice was flat. His tension hung in the air.
She scowled and turned to William. “Will you please be so kind as to go downstairs and get this behemoth something to eat?”
“Of course.” William bowed.
After he left, Danika stood for a minute, then blew out a long breath. “You’re so stubborn that now a vampyr is waiting on you. You do realize that any other Vampire would have you punished for such insubordination, don’t you?”
He stared at her, silent.
“Well you can’t eat standing here in the hall, come in.” She sat on her bed and pulled off her shoes. She sighed and rubbed her feet for a minute, then stood and walked over to the wardrobe. Slipping out of her dress into nothing but panties, she studied her wardrobe to figure out what would be appropriate.
Danika pulled on her blouse and turned. Mason watched her intently. She smelled his lust from all the way across the room, and it made her body quake. She’d forgotten he was there and realized she’d just been almost naked in front of him. For the first time, she felt self-conscious.
William entered with an entire tray of food. He set it down on the coffee table and turned to Danika. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”
“I’ll be fine, thank you. Good morning, and sleep well.” She smiled. She found that smiling was something she’d been doing a lot lately when she got nervous.
William said his goodbyes.
Danika fixed her hair, while Mason wolfed down everything on the tray. When he finished, she walked to the door.
“Good morning, Mason. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Absolutely not!” He rose from his seat. “I told you before, I’m not leaving your side until they’re out of this house and out of this state.”
“Mason, they didn’t ask for you. Taking you with me could cause your death.”
“I’ll take my chances.” He crossed his arms over his chest
“Well, I won’t. The best way you can protect me is for you to be alive. So you’ll do what I say. You’ll go to your room and sleep.” He was at her side before she took another step. He grabbed her by the arm. The sensation of his skin on hers gave her goose bumps.
“With all due respect, I’m coming with you.”
“Why don’t you do what you’re told?” she whipped. “Why do you act like you’re the master and I’m the slave? Do you have any idea what would happen if they thought I couldn’t even bond you?” Danika pulled away and pressed her fingers into her temples. Her headache had returned. “You act more like a mate than a slave.”
“I won’t leave you while Garon’s here. If it means they try to kill me, then it does. It’s a chance I am willing to take. And I may be your slave, but I refuse to act like I’m your lesser.”
“I never said you were lesser than me.”
They stared at each other for a tense moment. Mason loosened the collar of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves. She didn’t understand their relationship, but she did understand one thing, more than anything she wanted him there.
“Keep your mouth shut and your ears and eyes open. Don’t say a word, no matter what you hear. And do not move a muscle unless someone puts a hand on me. You understand?”
“Yes.”
She just wanted this over with, and without bloodshed if possible.
* * * *
The house was quiet when Danika and Mason made their way toward the study. There were a handful of slaves finishing up the dishes. As Danika stepped into the kitchen, they turned and bowed.
“There are dishes in my room; please have them taken care of before you go to bed. And my linens and towels need changing, as well.” She eyed Mason, remembering she needed to find out why he’d been in her shower.
Danika headed for the study. She stood at the door and took a deep breath, then pushed it open and stepped inside. Around the conference table, Chase sat on one side while the kings and Garon sat on the other. She’d interrupted a conversation. When the men turned and faced her, she tried to keep her spine straight.
“Come in please, Lord Danika,” said Sherman. Danika stepped in with Mason following. “We did not invite your guardian to come to this meeting.” He frowned.
“I apologize, Sherman, but due to recent events my guardian feels more at ease being in my presence while there are guests in my home. The number of unknown people here tonight has him on edge. I beg your indulgence in the matter.” She gave a winning smile. While she hadn’t put a ton of emphasis on the fact that they were guests in her home, she wanted to let them know this was still her house.
Sherman didn’t say anything for a minute, but then inclined his head. Danika continued over to the head of the table. Mason followed close behind and stopped behind her chair, pulling it out for her. There was just enough space between her and the kings for comfort, and she was as far from Garon as possible.
“You seem to give your guardian much leeway,” said Garon.
“I give him leeway to judge for himself that about which I’ve given him command. His job is to protect me, therefore I take his suggestions for that job seriously.”
“I would never allow a slave to have a say in anything pertaining to me and my affairs.”
“Yes, well I’m sure that you and I have a difference of opinion on a great many things, Lord Garon. For instance, I would never presume to come uninvited to another lord’s house. However you’ve seen fit to come to mine this evening,” she retorted. Danika’s anger rose the longer she was in Garon’s presence.
“He came as was deemed necessary, due to his request,” said Sherman.
“I don’t understand.” Danika looked from one man to another, and finally to Chase. Her uncle stared at her sympathetically.
“We’ve been hearing rumors of troubling things here in Chicago, Lord Danika. We’ve heard of the rogue who shot at you, hitting your now-fledgling, William Baker. Also I believe your guardian was attacked, were you not?” asked Sherman, addressing Mason.
“Yes,” Mason replied.
“And there was more than one, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And then there is the nasty business with Xenock, I am afraid. Of course we do not blame you for any of these things, Lord Danika. But we’ve become concerned for you and your coven. We were under the assumption that the rogues were wiped out. But now it seems they weren’t, and they’re coming out in numbers.”
“With all due respect, King Sherman, I don’t believe that two isolated incidents can constitute a problem worthy of your coming to visit me. I’m already on top of the problem and should have any issue, if there is one, taken care of within the month.”
Sherman nodded. “I’m sure you will. However this isn’t the sole reason we’ve come. There is another matter to which we must attend. We’ve had a pledge of mating issued for you.”
Danika swallowed hard. A pledge of mating? Someone wanted to mate her? Why hadn’t they come to her to discuss the matter? Going to the kings was uncommon at best. “And who might I ask has made this pledge?” A pit in her stomach told her she already knew the answer.
“Lord Garon.” Vinton spoke for the first time.
Nausea threatened to bring up Danika’s dinner. He wanted her company. She stared at Garon, his face a mask. He showed no emotion. And he never would. Mating such a Vampire would be like being mated to the devil.
Danika composed herself enough to speak. What she said now may determine the fate of her life going forward. “I thank the kings for coming to me personally to bring this invitation. As you may have already seen, however, Lord Garon and I aren’t well-matched. Therefore I would ask Lord Garon why he’d send such a request.”
Lord Garon suddenly smiled; it took Danika aback. She’d never seen him smile before, and while it was more pleasant than she thought possible, there was no smile in his eyes.
“I believe, Lord Danika, that even though we have not seen eye to eye in the past, it would be possible that, given time, we will grow to at least respect each other, if not care for each other.”
“Seriously?”
Lord Garon’s smile faltered a bit. “You probably don’t remember, but your father was a friend of mine. And I believe it was always his intent—”
Danika was on her feet in an instant. “Do not presume to tell me of my father’s intents.” She clenched her teeth. “You and my father were never friends.”
“Lord Danika, I think that—” began Melton.
“I’m sorry, King Melton, but I cannot sit here and listen to this. I do not accept this male as my mate and I never will.” Her eyes traveled to Chase. “How can you sit there and let him lie about your brother?”
Chase’s gaze dropped to the table.
“You see the disrespect?” Garon rose to his feet. “You see now what I said? She needs a mate, a strong hand to guide her and this coven to the place where it belongs.”
“My coven needs nothing but me,” answered Danika. “And when and if I choose a mate, it shall be in my own time, and with a real Vampire. Not a coward who chooses to control with fear, rather than respect.”
Garon crossed the table in a flash, but Mason was quicker. He thrust Danika behind him. In an instant, all three kings were on their feet and Chase was restraining Garon by the throat.
“Enough,” bellowed Sherman. “This has gone quite far enough. I had expected better from two such highly regarded lords in our country. Chase, would you be so kind as to escort Lord Garon to his car? Lord Garon, you will retire for the day, we’ll meet with you tomorrow evening before our departure.”
Lord Garon, who’d been staring hard at Mason, turned to King Sherman. “Of course, my king.” He straightened his coat and Chase let go of him. “I apologize to you for my outburst. I will await your arrival tomorrow.” Garon did not apologize to her. Without another word, both he and Chase left with a bang of the door.
The three kings turned their attention to Mason, who still shielded Danika. Her head blazed with the rage she felt inside. The fact that Garon had dared to suggest that her father had wanted her to mate with him was beyond an insult to her father’s memory.
“Lord Danika, we’re alone now, you may be seated,” said Sherman. “Your guardian needs to leave while we finish our discussion.” The three kings took their seats as Danika reappeared from behind Mason.
“I’d like for him to stay, if you don’t mind,” she said in a small voice.
Melton shrugged. “What does it matter now? He’s heard enough already.”
Sherman nodded, and they motioned for Danika to sit.
“Lord Danika, we’re in a very precarious position. It’s quite obvious that you and Lord Garon don’t get along. If left to your own devices, we’re afraid that a war would soon break out between the two of you.”
“King Sherman, I can assure you—”
“Please let me finish.” He raised his hand to stop her. “We understand that such a union would be difficult on you both, especially to you, my dear. But we cannot take the chance of an all-out war, either. We have just begun to settle into a period of rest and peace with the vamps. To have a war now will ruin all that we’ve worked to achieve since the awakening and Outbreak War. I’m afraid we cannot let that happen.
“We’ll give you fourteen days. In that time, you’ll either find another, strong enough to stave off a war, who’ll become your mate, or you’ll mate Lord Garon. In the meantime, Lord Garon must be given a stay of passage here in Chicago. He’s to be put up in his own residence and allowed access to your house. He doesn’t have to stay here, but you do have to see him. We ask that you take this time, get to know each other better, and see if it would be possible to make a union work. This is our decision in the matter.”
Danika stared at her hands. When had they become so pale and thin? They were her mother’s hands. She wondered if they would shrivel and wither away if she were ever forced to touch Lord Garon.
“Danika, did you hear Sherman?” Melton asked.
“Yes.” She didn’t look at them. She couldn’t. These men who’d appointed her lord were now treating her as a child. “I heard your judgment. I appreciate your coming all this way to bring me the news. I will do my best to find a suitable mate in the next fourteen days.”
“Very well.” Sherman rose from his chair with the other kings following suit. “Lord Danika, I hope for your sake you do find a suitable mate. A male of good standing in the society. One who’ll be able to stand at your side, and strengthen your back.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll return in fourteen days. Peace go with you,” said King Vinton.
“And with you.” She finally locked gazes with the three men who had determined her fate. She hoped their planes crashed on the way home.
Danika’s gaze swept the solid, worn, wooden table. The scratches and nicks that she’d never noticed before were now staring at her like scars from old, never-healed wounds. They felt like the wounds of her life, the loss and the pain. Looking at them made her feel like she was staring into her own soul. It was oddly soothing. Her gaze moved from scratch to dent identifying each one. A large dent shaped like a fist reminded her of her father. A small, roughed area that had been varnished over was her mother. The fresh chip, no more than a few months old, was Xenock. And the ten gouges on the other end of the table, where he’d pressed his nails in, were Garon.
There was a soft knock. Chase stood at the door with a frown on his face. Danika watched him, but said nothing. He took the seat next to her. He was silent for a long minute before reaching across and taking her hands.
“I am sorry about this, Nika. I didn’t know this was going to happen.”
“What did you know then, Uncle?”
He sighed. “Lord Garon called me a day ago, when you wouldn’t return his call. He hinted at the fact that he thought a merger between the covens would be a good idea.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“In all fairness Danika, I did warn you that outbidding him would come back on you. And I did try to reach you yesterday.” His eyes traveled to Mason.
Danika withdrew her hands from his at the mention of Mason. “I made my decision and I stand by it. I’ll not give in to his threats or the threats of the kings. I’d rather die than marry that monster.”
“Danika, be reasonable—”
“If you think it’s so reasonable, you marry him.”
Chase blanched at her suggestion.
“If you’ll excuse me, Uncle, I’m tired and ready to retire.” She moved to the door.
“Danika, please, if you’ll just—”
“Good night, Chase.” She refused to face him.
Stepping out the door, she noticed the air in the rest of the house was cooler than it had been in the small conference room. Without speaking, she walked upstairs. As she passed William’s room, he stepped out. She continued on, threw open her door, strode in, and stopped in the middle. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply. She stood for a long time listening to the sounds of the house: the fine hum of the heater, the buzz of the lights. A dog barked in its kennel outside. The wind whipped through the trees and a branch bounced off her window. This was her home, her safe haven, and she would be damned if she was going to share it with the likes of Lord Garon. She had to find a mate, someone, anyone, and quick.
A light movement behind her caught her attention and she turned. Mason’s face was a blank canvas, stoic and immovable. William’s, on the other hand, showed every emotion he felt, the most of which consisted of concern.
“Both of you should go to bed.” She began removing her clothes.
“What happened?” asked William.
“Lord Garon wants to mate me.” She ripped off her necklace and flung it on her vanity.
“What?”
“He wants my company and my coven. The only reason he wants me is to get to them.”
Danika dropped her clothes to the floor and stepped out of her heels. William averted his eyes, but Mason continued to stare. She held his gaze for a moment, then headed to the bathroom where she took down her hair and put on her bathrobe. When she re-entered her room, she sighed in exasperation.
“Please, I’ve had a very long couple of days. Go to bed and leave me be.” She slid in between her sheets, feeling their coolness on her skin.
William stood for a minute, but when she closed her eyes he left. A moment later, his door opened and closed. Right afterward she heard her own door close. She tried to relax her body enough to sleep. When she rolled over to turn off her lamp, Mason was standing at the end of her bed. She finally saw what he’d been hiding from her, and from everyone for the last several hours. The anger burned off him in wave after wave of heat. His eyes glowed, holding back a fury beyond what she thought capable. She knew that feeling, because the fury burned in her chest as well. She pulled back the sheets and rose, stopping mere inches from him.
“Say whatever you have to say, Mason.” She stared into his handsome face. Her whole body wracked with exhaustion.
He said nothing, simply stared at her. She opened her mouth to speak again, and his huge arms lifted her off the ground, his lips burning into her with a fury.
She melted into him, her rage replaced with the passion that had been building inside. His lips and roaming hands told her everything that he hadn’t spoken in words. Her mind screamed that she should stop, but her body told her to keep going. She’d never wanted another being the way she wanted him, whatever he was. His temperature rose higher the longer they kissed. There was nothing gentle about his manner.
Falling on top of her on the large bed, Mason broke his lips away from hers and trailed kisses down her neck and shoulder to her collarbone. The heat of his body pressing on her made it hard for Danika to breathe. Her head swam. All she’d wanted was this. All she’d dreamed of for the last month was this. They had to stop. They shouldn’t do this, not now with Lord Garon in the picture, and all eyes on her to find a mate.
“Mason,” she breathed. “Mason, we have to—” He continued to trail hot wet kisses over her arm and down her stomach. She wanted him so much it made her ache inside. A groan of pleasure escaped her instead, and her fangs descended into her mouth. “Mason, please. If we do this—” He cut her off, pressing his mouth on hers again. She ran her fingers into his hair and drew him to her.
Before she knew it, she was unbuttoning his shirt, his blazing chest hot against her cool hands. He pulled away from her. She touched his runes, then pushed his shirt from his shoulders and ran her fingers down the webbed tattoos of his back. They pulsed and stretched against her fingertips. He dipped his head and plunged his tongue deep into her mouth, licking her fangs, causing her to moan with need. His stomach quivered as she ran her cool fingers over his hard, packed abs.
He lay down on her, his muscular chest flattening her soft curves against him. His body was large and heavy, but despite their size difference, they fit together perfectly. He ran his hands under her robe and down the outside of her waist to her hip. Digging his fingers into her flesh, he pulled her leg up around his rear and then yanked her panties from her, throwing them over his shoulder.
His body carried a scent that aroused her further: spicy and warm. His arousal pressed into her most sensitive spot through his suit pants. Letting her need guide her she stopped thinking and fumbled with the buckle of his belt. He twirled his tongue over her flesh, pulling the tie on her robe and exposing her naked body. Danika pushed his pants and boxers down to his ankles with her toes. Mason looked deep into her eyes for a moment. She’d never seen anything so glorious. They blazed with an inner light. For the first time, she glimpsed beyond his rough exterior. His gaze drifted the length of her body, his hands caressing her flesh. Danika gasped at the warmth of him as their bodies became one.
They stared into each other’s eyes as they made love. Wrapping her legs around his waist, he lifted her body to meet his more fully. Locking his lips on hers again, Mason built in rhythm and force until all Danika wanted was his blood. She needed it. Breaking their kiss, she struck him at the same moment he pierced her own neck. His hot blood slid down her throat, and her body exploded in ecstasy. He pulled his head from her neck and roared as they climaxed together. Waves of pleasure shook her body. He clutched the post of her bed, his arm muscles flexed and his body tensed. The wood creaked in his tight grip. When the after-shocks had passed, he fell on top of her, kissing her all over her face and neck. Their mouths danced and their tongues tangled, mixing the lingering drops of their bloods.
Mason lay still inside her, and Danika ran her fingers over his firm muscles. At first, his body was warm and his weight on top of her soothed her. She gripped his broad shoulders as he continued to bathe her skin in kisses. She needed this. She needed him. Minutes passed with them still lying in each other’s arms. The heat rose between them and grew. The warmth of his chest on hers built into a fire, until Danika cried out.
She pushed him off. The runes from Mason’s chest had burned into her skin, leaving behind their symbols on her like a brand. Danika’s head snapped up in alarm; Mason stared at her chest. His runes glowed.
“You burned me.”
“I didn’t know.” He still stared.
“What did you do to me?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize...” He moved away, and sat on the edge of her bed.
An emptiness chilled her body. “What’s going on?” She sat up and pulled her robe closed.
Mason hung his head in his hands.
“What is going on?” she demanded.
He turned, his eyes full of pain. He reached out and pulled her robe down a bit to the place where the mark sat. “I’m sorry,” he said again. His finger rubbed the scars. “We should’ve stopped.”
Anger rose within Danika. What the hell was going on? They’d just made love, and now she had a brand on her skin, and he was apologizing to her? Her brain moved faster than she was able to control. Moments earlier, she’d felt so connected to him, and now he was shutting her out. “What happened to me last night? And why were you in my shower?”
“You had too much of my blood, it needed to be diluted, so I had you drink from Matthew.”
“And my shower?”
He hung his head again. “Chase wanted to see you. We couldn’t stop him from insisting on coming in. It was the one thing I could think to do to get him to leave.”
“To take a shower in my room while I slept?” she asked confused. His eyes met hers and an icy chill traveled over her. She remembered the feeling of the rug, lying on the floor in the bathroom, and Mason in the shower. She closed her eyes in disbelief. “Chase thought you were in there with me.”
He didn’t deny it.
That’s why Chase had looked at her that way tonight. After his little pep talk about not mixing pleasure again, and now she was. And after what had just happened between her and Mason... Everyone must have heard. Surely William had, at least.
“You need to go. If Lord Garon hears that you’ve spent the day in my room, he’ll kill us both.” She pulled herself together. Danika moved away from the bed. Keeping her back to him, she tied her robe tighter and pushed at her messy hair.
“So you’re going to go through with it then?” Mason pulled her by the arm to face him.
“Yes.” She yanked her arm away and ran her hands through her hair. “No… I don’t know. Right now I don’t have a choice.”
Mason forced her to look at him. “You have a choice, you always do. You’re stronger than you think. And with William and me by your side, you’re better poised than most.”
“Mason, please.” She pulled away again. Her weakness sickened her. This had gotten so out of hand. She couldn’t think straight with him so close. Just standing near him made her want to take him into her bed again. Mason closed the distance between them. His eyes still flickered with golden light.
He tugged her body into his as he kissed her hard on the lips. She shivered, and need built inside her once more. Mason stepped away, putting his shirt on, not buttoning it. “This isn’t over between us, Danika.” He glanced down at her mark. “Now more than ever, we cannot be parted.”
“What does that mean?”
“You and I. We...” Mason stopped. “You won’t be mated to Garon. I’ll kill him before I let that happen.” Mason’s viciousness made her body tremble. He turned and left without another word.
She stared at the closed door, wishing he’d come back and then she looked down at her chest. All the burns had faded to nothing. All but one. One rune, no bigger than a silver dollar, remained branded into her skin. It had faded almost to the same porcelain color as the rest of her skin, but there was still a faint discoloration. She ran her fingers over it. It was hot to the touch and made her think of Mason. Vampires didn’t scar. She wondered for the millionth time what Mason really was. She’d never heard of anything like this before, and there was no one to ask. The last thing she needed was to give the kings another reason to question her.
Deep down she didn’t care. She hated to admit it, but her feelings for Mason were stronger than she’d like. Dread filled her. This was so much more than she’d ever bargained for. She straightened her spine as logic took over. No matter her feelings for him, she had to do what was best for her coven and her company.
She had to mate. And Mason had already told her that he couldn’t be changed. It wasn’t unheard of for Vampires to have affairs with their minions and slaves, even after mating. She assumed that if she mated with Garon, he’d have any number of affairs because gods knew she wasn’t going to lay with him. She would never bear that man a child. She wondered if she and Mason ever had a child what it would look like.
Danika scowled. What had happened between Mason and her had been a mistake, nothing more. Overcome by the emotions of the day, they’d given in to lust. Even he’d said they shouldn’t have gone that far. Good. He knew it and she knew it, so she needn’t worry about him having any problems when their relationship didn’t go there again. She’d find a mate, and that would be the end of it.
* * * *
Mason lay on his bed, paralyzed by what had happened. Her scent lingered on his skin, her taste in his mouth, the feel of her blood inside. He rubbed his face. What had he done? He’d almost performed Tonopar, The Bonding, on Danika. He’d made love to her, he’d Rune Sehlek, Rune Transferred, with her, and in the end he’d left more pent-up than when he started. He stretched out on his bed, his silky pajama bottoms rubbing against his hot and sensitive thighs.
Mason had known she was the one for days now. There was no use trying to fight the truth of it anymore. There was no good way to tell Danika what had happened between them without exposing himself. He had to protect her. Not just from the Vampires, but from those like himself that would seek her out now, if they knew about her.
Mason had meant what he’d said. He would kill Garon before he allowed Danika to mate with that monster. Mason had changed because of her. She’d awakened feelings inside him that he’d never had before. Passions that he never knew he possessed. For the first time he truly cared for someone, more than cared. Mason swallowed and got up off his bed. Thoughts of their furious lovemaking plagued him
There had been no time for gentle. No time to explore her like he wanted. There was only the beast, raging inside, scratching his way free to take Danika for himself. Mason had had no control. He’d been with females before. But none who’d ever meant anything.
And now more than ever, he was tied to her. If she took him to an airport and hired a private jet to fly him to freedom, he’d jump back in her car and stay. There was no freedom for him now. After what had happened, he’d do anything to keep her safe. Now that she bore his mark, he was connected to her in ways even he didn’t understand yet.
Mason paced in front of the open window, running his hands through his hair. He let his mind wander. Eventually he raised his eyes to the ceiling and blew out a huge breath. He loved her. More than loved her, she was his now. Flesh of his flesh. His heart was bound to hers for eternity. He was hers to command.
Mason looked out the window at the bright, clear blue, cloudless sky. A bird chirped in a distant tree, the morning breeze blew across his skin bringing with it the scents of freedom. The dogs were out, patrolling the grounds. There were at least a dozen of them, and the vamp guards on top of that. He should’ve run when he had the chance. He should have killed the rogues and run and kept on running until he could no longer run.
Who was he kidding? Since tasting her blood, he’d known he couldn’t leave her. It had been ages since he’d drank blood from another. And it had taken every ounce of restraint not to drink her dry on the spot. Her blood, even now, flowed and cooled in his veins. Driving down his temper and helping him control the beast within. But when she kissed him, it was all he could do to not unleash on her. He’d been unable to control himself tonight. What he’d witnessed with Garon and the kings had made him more possessive than ever. He had no words for the anger he’d felt, and more than anything he’d felt the overwhelming need to claim her as his own.
Maybe he’d subconsciously wanted to Rune Sehlek with her, to make her see that she was his.
He hung his head. What was he going to do now? He was supposed to be a servant, a slave in a Vampire’s world. But he wasn’t, and he never would be. All it would take was one command, one ritual of the ancient words, and she’d be his. But to do so would send up a beacon to those still hunting him. They would find him, and her. And when they did, they’d use her to get to him. He couldn’t put her in more danger, not now. She had enough problems without him raining down brimstone on her head.
She was his, and he was hers. Against everything that had happened to him. Against all the years he had spent trying to stay away, against every painful memory of his childhood. Like it or not, a Vampire was his mate.