I wolf it all down. The coffee annihilates the drilling pain and the pounding in my temples. I must’ve had more wine last night than I thought.
I’m dressed in warm traveling gear—boots, leather trousers, woollen undergarments and tunic, fur-lined jacket. All in tasteful shades of brown and russet, trimmed with creamy white. My hair is tied in a high ponytail.
Gerent advised me to dress like this. Apparently, Corvan and I are going on a trip.
He told me so last night.
I take a bite of the perfectly light, crispy, buttered baguette, followed by a mouthful of rich, fluffy, savory egg.
Tyron Castle’s chef must be a genius.
Corvan sits down in the chair opposite.
I blink. I didn’t even hear him enter. Butterflies swirl in my stomach, but I pretend to keep my composure. “Do you regularly entertain yourself by startling the living daylights out of people?” My words come out muffled through mouthfuls of delicious egg and bread.
He gives me a slight frown, trying to look contrite. “I should have announced myself, but you looked like you were enjoying your food too much. Couldn’t bring myself to spoil the moment.”
“You…” I shake my head as I take him in.
The Archduke of Tyron leans back in his chair, allowing a shaft of morning sunlight to catch his elegant features.
He’s dressed as practically as I am, in sturdy trousers tucked into long leather boots and a leather-trimmed jacket with grey fur lining the collar.
But his outfit is all black. His hands are encased in black gloves.
He looks like a villain from a fantasy tale.
In some of the books I read as a child, the villains were beautiful and powerful; flawed and selfish. I don’t know why I always found the bad guys more interesting than the noble heroes.
They always seemed more human; more real.
“I ordered your father to return home this morning,” Corvan says lightly. His gaze is fixed upon my lips as I take another bite of bread. “I don’t suppose you would have wanted to see him before he left.”
Crispy crust and warmth and decadent butter explode in my mouth. “Is he already gone?”
“He’s about to pass through the main gate. If you really wanted to say goodbye, I could get him back…”
I wave my hand in the air. “Let him go. I won’t. I want to do the right thing by him, but I feel no affection or loyalty toward him. That man has always been indifferent to me.”
The only reason I can say these things to Corvan is because I saw how he dealt with father last night.
I’ve never seen my father appear so meek in all my life.
He shrugs. “That’s what I thought. I just wanted to make certain. Being the dutiful son-in-law and all that.”
His voice is deep and intoxicating. I can hardly believe that this beautiful, formidable creature is to be my husband. I take a sip of my bitter coffee, letting it warm my throat.
I cradle my coffee in both hands, partly hiding my face, because I don’t want him to see my expression right now.
The memory of his kiss lingers on my lips. All of a sudden, I’m terribly aroused.
What would it feel like… to…
“When are we to be married?” I ask, taking another sip of coffee, allowing the bitterness to distract me.
“In the springtime. I’ll leave it entirely up to you to choose what kind of wedding you would like.”
Springtime? But that’s so far away. How does he stay so in-control?
So long until…
I look him up and down. As I take in his big, powerful form, I grow more and more aroused.
“Nothing too big,” I murmur, unable to focus my thoughts. “Nothing too ostentatious.”
I’ve never organized a wedding before, let alone attended one. I’d have no idea where to start.
“We could have an elopement,” Corvan suggests.
My eyebrows rise sky-high as I set my coffee down. “You would agree to that? The whole empire would be banging down the doors to receive an invitation to the imperial prince’s wedding.”
Corvan smiles, showing the points of his fangs. “I couldn’t care less what the rest of the empire wants. Our wedding shall be what you want it to be.”
Oh, Corvan.
Is it possible that beneath his cold, beautiful exterior, this man is truly sweet?
Sitting across from me with the morning light on his inhuman face, looking so relaxed and peaceful, he’s more mesmerizing than I’ve ever seen him.
More alluring.
My body reacts more strongly than ever before.
I truly want this man… to feel his touch upon my bare skin… to taste his…
My cheeks are on fire. Between my thighs, there’s a slow, aching throb.
I take a long, slow sip of my coffee, trying to clear my thoughts. But all I can think about is that. Last night, I wasn’t quite ready to entertain such things.
But now, in the cold clear light of the day…
Do I dare?
To be so bold…
What if he bites me again?
I fear I’m doing a really bad job of hiding my thoughts. Perhaps I’m very transparent to him right now.
“Corvan,” I say slowly, rolling his name off my tongue.
He leans forward; attentive, intense, his gaze sharp and focused entirely on me, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Yes, Finley?”
“I understand that we’re to travel to Niize today, but before we leave…”
“Yes, Finley?” On the surface, he appears as calm as a pond on a still summer’s day, perfectly patient and restrained, as if he’s just waiting for me to say it.
My heart hammers like a war-drum. Could he possibly feel the same way?
Does he know?
“I want…” I set down my coffee cup with a deliberate clink. “Corvan, you don’t have to act so gentlemanly with me.”
“Gentlemanly?” A low, dangerous chuckle escapes him. “I’m just training myself to not devour you every single time I catch your scent.”
“We are to be husband and wife. Is it merely my blood you desire?”
“Would you feel so emboldened to ask me such a thing if you thought that was the case?”
“No.” Excitement surges through me. Last night, Corvan made his intentions perfectly clear.
His lips upon mine; that kiss…
It wasn’t an accident.
I’m here now. My father’s gone. I’m all alone, and my fate is sealed. Vampire or not, Corvan is destined to be my husband. Why should I sit back and act passive when this thoroughly charming man is so obviously trying to seduce me?
“Then don’t ask me again. I would have all of you, Finley, but I won’t use force to take what I want. I’ve already done that once; twice… I won’t do it a third time.”
“Force won’t be necessary,” I whisper, hardly recognizing myself, “if I’m the one that’s asking.”
Crimson eyes widen. His eyebrows rise. His sensual mouth is caught somewhere between surprise and delight.
I can see his fangs again.
“I won’t deny you.” His voice grows hoarse. “In this, you will forever hold the advantage.”
“Well, I intend to make full use of it. Our departure isn’t urgent, is it?”
“It won’t take us long to reach Niize. Whether we leave now or later, it doesn’t really matter.”