Yes, Im human, and no, Im not a witch. But you, youre a vampire.
He nodded. He knew this realm coexisted alongside the mortal worlda world mostly ignorant of what surrounded them.
Crossing over, as she had mentioned, happened more often than it should. How and why, though, no one knew. One moment you would be talking to a shifter or fighting an ogre, and the next moment a human would be in his place. And if not a human, a useless, bendable object.
Disappointment nearly felled Nicolai. Why had his magic chosen this woman? What good was a human here? Even so luscious a human? If Jane were asked to perform a ritual, as Odette had often been asked, she would be unable. She would fail. Everyone would know she was not who she claimed to be, before he could get what he wanted.
He had to act faster than planned.
Listen. I summoned you here, and I am the one who protects you. A small truth meant to pacify her. Trust no one else. Only me. A lie meant to save him. For once she set him free, he truly planned to leave. This palaceand her. As unstable as his abilities were, he could not remove the mask that made her Odette while they were together without the possibility of sending her home. Plus, he needed her able to travel freely through this palace as only a princess could. What a princess couldnt do was travel unfettered outside these walls.
The moment she let him go, Jane would have nothing but her wits to shield her.
Guilt filled him. Before the emotion had time to settle, develop roots and grow, he ground it into powder and scattered every speck. He could not soften. No matter how desperately he craved this womans blood.
So, you wield some type of magic? she said. All right. I can roll with the idea of a magical vampire. But really, a lot of people assume science is magic, so are we talking about planar, natural, runic, divine or metaphysical, because I can
Jane. She was a babbler. He found the traitcharming. He frowned. Charming? Truly? The need to taste her must be clouding his judgment.
Abashed, she smiled. Im sorry. Curiosity and puzzles are my downfall. At least, they used to be. I thought Id come to hate them, but, well, as you can see, thats no longer the case.
That smilehad he ever seen so open and innocent a sight? Another spark of guilt ignited in his chest, but again, he quickly ground and scattered it. Easier done this time, as the force of his arousal intensified, becoming his sole focus.
No. Only escape mattered, he told himself.
Why me? she asked. I mean, how did you know to summon me?
Hed wanted a female susceptible to the lure of a vampire, one untainted by the evil of the Queen of Hearts, one who was not afraid of blood, who would understand his plight. He told her none of that. He knew womenor, at least, thought he didand knew it would not please her. Order my release. Now. Hurry.
Frustration suddenly radiated from her. How? she demanded.
Summon the guard, he said. Tell them to unchain me, that you wish to take me to your bedchamber. Then, tell them to bring the healer to us.
The healer? Her concerned gaze swept over him. Are you hurt?
No. But the healer had bound his memories and powers, and so the healer could easily free them. And, he mused darkly, he wanted to kill the bitch. I do not hear you calling for the guard, Jane.
Then your ears are working perfectly, Nicolai. So, the guards will do what I tell them? She snapped her fingers. Just like that?
In their minds, you are the princess Odette. Oldest daughter of their queen, and soon to be their ruler. Nicolai finally allowed himself to stride the rest of the way to the bars, his chains rattling. Closing in They will do anything you tell them to do.
She released the metal and backed away before he could touch her. As if he were dirty, unworthy. He probably was. Yes, but why do they believe Im Odette?
A muscle ticked below his eye. Her continued questioning irritated him, yes, but her distance irritated him more. When close to her, the scent of her was nearly overpowering and so delectable he was probably drooling. Because.
Because why?
Stubborn baggage. Because myvampire magic made them, he said flatly. To tell her more was to, perhaps, send her running. Humans were so easily frightened by what they did not understand.
For the moment, he needed this woman on his side, and calm. Although, to be honest, shed handled things very well so far.
How? she insisted.
He shook the bars. Do as I told you, Jane. We must hurry.
She arched a brow. Youre cute when youre ordering me around, you know that? The color in her cheeks brightened, and her breath became shallow. And youyou smell like sandalwood.
She liked his scent as much as he liked hers, he realized. It aroused her. Her nipples were pearling beneath her robe, begging for a touch, a kiss. Did her belly quiver? Was she already moist between her legs?
His hands fisted at his sides. I dont know why Im here or how they captured me, but I do know that I dont belong here. I know that if I stay, I will be tortured again and again. Tell me you are not like them, Jane. Tell me you do not like to watch a man be tortured.
Her dark gaze fell to the metal linked around his neck, then dipped lower, perhaps following the beads of dried blood that rode the ropes of his stomach before stopping at his tented loincloth.
Another shiver from her. I dont, she said on a broken wisp of air. But what happens if they realize Im not truly Odette?
They wont find out. This lie did not leave him smoothly. All right? All you need to know to aid the illusion is that you bought me at the Sex Market. You own me. Demand my release, and escort me to your
The sound of footsteps echoed, and Nicolai pressed his lips together. Jane tensed. An audience, exactly what they did not need right now. Then Laila rounded the corner, a scowl marring her already ugly face. She was as short and squat as her mother, her cheeks just as padded as Odettes, and her jowls just as noticeable.
Without the hooked nose, however, she was the beauty of the family. The length of her dark hair was coiled on top of her head, ringlets hanging at her temples. She wore an opulent gown of bright green velvet to match her eyes, though there was nothing in this kingdom or any other that could make her attractive. The evil of her soul was simply too dark.
A silver timepiece hung from a chain around her neck. She was never without it, and the sight of it never failed to twist Nicolais stomach with rage. Why?
She ground to a halt when she spotted Jane, hurriedly smoothing her features into a doting expression. What are you doing here, sister dear? And in your nightgown, no less. An anxious laugh. You should be resting. We dont want you getting sick, do we? Youve already suffered so much.
Her voice never failed to disgust him, either. Hed heard it over him, under him, behind him, her warm breath trekking over his skin. Now, so close to escape, he had to bite his tongue to hold his curses inside.
Soon, he would destroy her.
Jane gulped, looked at him.
Do what I told you, Jane, he projected at her, a part of him resenting the need to do so. Hed never had to beg for anything in his life. Hed alwaysa sharp ache erupted in his temples, cutting off his thoughts. A memory, dead and gone before it had a chance to live.
You are Princess Laila. My sister. Yes. Jane breathed deeply, squared her shoulders, and faced her sister. Heshes mine. I own him. What she lacked in conviction she made up for with determination.
Good girl.
Laila gritted her too-white teeth, and shifted from one sandaled foot to the other. Yes, but you were gone, darling. I took over his care. Hes mine now. She stroked the timepiece. In situations such as this, Mother always sides with the one in possession.
I dont care. Hes mine.
Odette, be reasonable. How patient Laila appeared. A falsehood. He attempted to slay you once, and nearly succeeded. He is too much for you to handle and I have grown used to
I said hes mine.
Good girl, he thought again. So badly Nicolai wished he could unleash the torrent of power inside him, now rather than later. He would crush Laila, smile when she screamed, laugh when she died, then raze this palace brick by brick and dance atop the rubble.
Soon. The word was a constant inside him.
He didnt know what powers he could wield, or if theyd be strong enough to do everything he wanted to this kingdom. Absolute, total destruction. But he wasnt worried. Were his powers not too weak, he would raise his army and they would march
Another ache tore through his head, another memory destroyed. He hissed from the pain, clearing his mind before he shut down completely.
Both women flicked him a glance before refocusing on each other. But Lailas attention quickly returned to him, to his erectionstill pulsing with need of Janeand her mouth hung open with shock. Youre aroused.
Silent, he reached under his loincloth and stroked his length up and down, taunting her with what hed never willingly offered her.
Laila gave a strangled choke, her eyes widening as she faced her sister. How did you arouse him?
II Jane blushed as becomingly as she smiled. So innocent and sweet, sunlight and moonlight twined together. Taste
Never mind, Laila snapped, all pretense of love and patience vanishing. It doesnt matter. Mothers on a rampage and demands a word with you. She mourned your death for days, and was ecstatic by your return. But that happiness will not save you from a whipping if you continue to defy her.
A mother, mourning her child for days. How sweet, Nicolai mentally sneered. But then, the Queen of Hearts was known as a brutal tyrant, an unforgiving bitch and a power hungry murderer. Nicolais own mother had
He clenched his jaw against the pain.
I heard you were on your way down here, Laila went on, and came to get you. You dont want to keep your queen waiting, do you?
II
No. You dont.
Damn this. Jane was letting Laila direct her, proving she had not the strength of will to lead. His one and only chance for escape was withering with every second that passed.
Laila, no. I
Your poor, addled mind hasnt yet recovered from your fall, has it, darling? But you like having skin on your back, I know you do. Guards, Laila called.
Jane twisted her fingers together, clearly agitated. II Theres no need. I dont want to be whipped, but I really need to
Two armed guards swung around the corner and stopped behind Princess Laila. They kept their gazes straight ahead as they awaited orders.
If they touched Jane, Nicolai would execute them. He would cut their throats, and spit on their remains. The ferocity of the thought should have surprised him. Jane was here for one purpose, and one purpose only, whether she acted like it or not, and remaining untouched by the citizens of Delfina was not it. Surprised, Nicolai wasnt. Nothing would stop him from attacking these men in cold blood. Jane was his. His savior, his to handle. Only his. No one else was allowed.
Until he left her.
He bit his tongue so hard he tasted his own blood.
Muzzle the prisoner and cart him to my chamber, Laila commanded, and he relaxed somewhat. The men werent here for Jane, then. My sister and I will visit with the queen.
No, Nicolai growled before he could stop himself.
No? Astonished, Laila leveled her attention on him. She wrapped her fat little fingers around the timepiece hanging from her neck and squeezed. You dare issue commands, slave? To me?
Odette stays. Jane might have fooled the servants and her sister, but she would not find the Queen of Hearts so gullible. She had groomed Odette in her image, and no one knew her better. Jane and her odd speech would be found out. Killed before Nicolai could use her.
Hearthardening.
Softening
Laila floundered. Youll try and kill her again. Thats why you want her here. I know it. Thats why youre pretending to desire her.
He flicked his tongue over his fangs. I need inside her. Thats why I want her here.
Once again, Jane blushed.
Youyoure lying, Laila stammered. You hate her. You wouldnt want to bed her.
I crave her.
A pause, heavy with tension. Motions clipped, Laila closed the distance between her and her sister and wrapped an arm around Janes waist. Dont listen to him. Hell say anything to gain a second chance to harm you. Come now. Ill protect you.
No! Jane jumped from Lailas embrace and glared up at the guards. Take Nicolai to my chamber, but dont muzzle him. And tell M-Mother that Im in need of rest. Ill speak to her later.
Laila paled as the men leaped into action. Seconds later, hinges were squeaking as the door to Nicolais cage swung open. There were more footsteps, then a key was inserted into the metal base that pinned him to the wall.
His relief was palpable.
Butbut, Odette. You are placing yourself in danger, Laila said, desperate.
He. Is. Mine. Nothing more needs to be said.
Wrong words. The claimhe is mineaffected him, giving birth to a savage animal inside him. Hers, he was hers, and he would have her before he left her, no matter the consequences. Over and over again. In every way imaginable. He would drink her, and possess her body.
There would be no stopping him, no reasoning with him. Not now.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE GUARDS FORCED NICOLAI onto the bed, the feathered mattress dipping and puffing under his weight. They anchored the metal links curling around his neck to a steel hook in the wall, just above the headboard, then removed the chains from his ankle and wristsonly to cuff him to the bedposts.
Odette had brought slaves here before, Jane realized. The posts were scarred, the deep grooves evidence of their resistance. A lot of resistance. How many times had Nicolai suffered this kind of indignity with the princess?
At least he didnt try and bite the guards, and they didnt try to hurt him, and Jane didnt have to side with a slave, fueling suspicion. Already she felt as if she had a neon sign blinking over her head: Imposter.