Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Yes, Master.
Have them make me a large gold cage. Something elegant. Beautiful. One a person can live in. It must be complete by tomorrow evening.
Y-yes, Master.
I left his head and put my focus back on Seraphine.
Fear radiated off her. “I-I have healed you.”
I leaned my head to the side and spoke in her mind. It is true. You have healed me.
“Then. . .” She stepped to the side, putting a foot of space between us.
Rage rumbled in my chest at the distance.
I stilled myself.
She swallowed. “Since I healed you, it is only fair that you give me something for doing it.”
Name all the things that you want, little mage. It will be yours. A castle? Servants to care for all of your needs? Gold? Money? Whatever you desire, I will give it to you.
She lowered her voice. “You know what I want.”
I stiffened. You want your freedom?
“Yes.”
A dark growl left me, letting her know exactly how I felt about that. The sound shook the tent’s walls. My battle form threatened to erupt out of my body. Already, I could sense my horns trying to break through my forehead.
She edged away.
I didn’t like the extra space she was putting between us, yet I forced myself to stay right where I was.
She is too scared. How do I start over with her?
For the first time in my life, I found myself in possession of a creature that made me yearn for her affection.
I watched her and pushed my thought in her mind. We will be together for the rest of our lives. Therefore, we must find a way to—
No! He is insane! Horror decorated her face.
I pulled my fangs back in my gums and attempted to start over. How long had it been since I had to use finesse when talking to someone? The only other woman that had triggered this sort of nervousness had been Phinova.
I gulped down fear and pushed a new thought in her mind. I am acutely aware that my method of attaining your presence earlier may have forever tainted our. . .beginning, but—
“Method of attaining? You yanked me off my horse with your power, flung me toward you, and began biting my neck.” She glared. “We will never be anything but enemies.”
My already hard cock jerked in my pants.
You will learn to love me, little mage.
“W-what?” She took several steps away from me. “Never. It would be impossible.”
I wondered if she was right or wrong. Could I coerce her into loving me? Could I bend her will? And more important. . .why was I talking about love? And why did I need her to love me?
Then, a sudden furious realization came to me.
I studied her and pushed my thought into her mind. Do you love someone else?
She slowly shook her head.
Is she lying?
I went deeper into her mind and began rummaging through her memories. Just as soon as I began my search, she shoved me out.
I blinked.
Huh? How did she do that?
When I tried to enter her mind again, the barrier went right back up. Thicker and stronger.
Sneering, I pushed out my claws.
She gasped and raised her hands higher between us.
What is she doing?
Then, her blood’s melody filled my ears. Her power buzzed and rose around her.
Interesting.
Seraphine was preparing herself for some attack, and I was eager to see what it was, if only to understand her better.
Her hands shook.
I could tell she was second guessing herself, wondering if she should unleash whatever this was and run.
Go ahead, little one. You have me utterly infatuated. Show me everything.
Seraphine was a paradox I had yet to solve, a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit in my grander scheme of things, but I would shove it into place anyway.
Already, I had no idea what Phinova would say once she returned to find Seraphine with me, healing and nourishing my body. Surely, it would make my queen jealous, but Phinova would have to learn to share, just like I had learned to share long ago.
Seraphine swallowed and then twisted her fingers in these odd circles as if drawing letters in front of her.
My skin prickled.
Hmm. She is doing something to my body.
Then, a wave of supernatural energy coursed deeper through me, binding my limbs with unseen chains of force.
Very interesting.
Fast, she twirled her fingers again.
A strange sensation spread through my veins, as though my blood had been replaced with ice, chilling and numbing me from inside.
My muscles seized.
My breathing slowed.
My thoughts—the only aspect of me not frozen—swirled into her head.
Little mage, you have read the Ebon Vein? You know of its power?
“What?”
The ancient text.
Terrified, she shook her head, ran toward the curtained opening, and raced away.
How did she find that spell?
Phinova often wondered if there were copies of the ancient grimoire in other parts of the world. It had been beyond difficult to get it for her. But whatever my queen wanted, I gave. Long ago, this grimoire had resided with a vampire king far off in a distant land. It had taken a secret mission of mages to go there and steal it.