Nikolai growled again.
The tub was almost full and covered with iridescent bubbles. Darvaak punched a button on the remote, and the water stopped. “In you go, Itzov,” he said, and then turned to Elena. “You, my dear, might want to look the other way until your stomach is more settled.”
Feeling much better now, she smiled. The man’s teasing was entertaining. Nikolai didn’t seem to think so, based on the dark look he shot the guy.
“I’ll be back with more food in a moment. And I’m going to call my tailor. Your situation calls for some creativity. You can’t run around half-dressed until you’re free of that cord.”
And with that, they were alone.
Nikolai sat on the marble ledge next to her and pulled off a boot. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but clamped his lips shut and pulled off his other boot. He sat for a moment, looking defeated, and her heart pinched.
“I’m…” He took a deep breath and lifted his wrist bound by the cord. “We’ll find a way out of this. I promise.”
Obviously, getting away from her was a high priority, not that she could blame him, but the cord was the least of her worries. Not becoming a monster was foremost in her mind.
“You should have killed me back in the store,” she said.
He stood and slipped off his pants. She didn’t even pretend to look away. At this point, what did it matter? Her fate was sealed. There was no way she could allow herself to become one of the red-eyed demons. She might as well take in the sights while she still could. And the sights were mighty fine.
“You were already dead when I found you.” He stepped out of his pants and froze…well, except for the part of him that obviously approved of her stare. It practically waved and shouted “Howdy!”
“For God’s sake, get in the water, Itzov, before you make the girl throw up. We’re supposed to keep food down her, remember?” The blond guy stood in the doorway with a tray in his hands. “Here you are, Elena.” He set the tray next to her while Nikolai stepped into the tub. “Shall I feed you?”
“No!” Nikolai said.
The blond man ignored him totally. “Now that you are feeling better, let me introduce myself.” He held out his hand. “I am Stefan Darvaak. Welcome to my home.”
She took his hand, and a slight electric current jumped through her, causing her to jerk her hand back quickly.
“Only those under the Veil can feel my energy. What are you?” He sat next to her, both of them with their backs to Nikolai, who was submerged in the bubbles up to his neck. “Or rather, what are you becoming?”
Tears filled her eyes. She wiped them away with her fingers.
“I’m sorry,” Stefan said. “I don’t fully understand your situation.” He stood. “Just call if you need anything.” He put the remote next to her. “The red button will alert me.” He paused before exiting. “Be nice, Itzov.” He held up his hand and wiggled his fingers. “Electricity and water don’t mix.”
Nikolai slid completely underwater, disappearing beneath the blanket of bubbles, leaving Elena alone with the tray of food that looked like a dream. Nuts, cheese, more fruit, and what appeared to be sliced turkey. Yep. Turkey. Her stomach growled as she chewed. Then it dawned on her that Nikolai hadn’t eaten either. In fact, he hadn’t even had any of the juice. He had to be starving.
He broke the surface with a splash and wiped his face with a washcloth.
She gestured to the tray. “Want some?”
He nodded and opened his mouth. She turned to give him access to the tray.
Bubble-covered hands emerged from the water. “Help me out here.”
She selected a slice of turkey and rolled it up. Like a baby bird, he opened his mouth and bit off a piece. That mouth. Her face got hot, and she turned away. After a moment, he cleared his throat, and she turned to find him eyeing the other half of rolled turkey slice in her hand. She raised it to his open mouth, and he grabbed her wrist, taking the bit of turkey and her fingers into his mouth, too. His lips and tongue were so warm. She squirmed as pulses of excitement bolted through her as he sucked on her fingers. This should not have been so stimulating. He was her captor. A man sent to kill her. A man who should kill her, seeing how she was about to turn into a monster. How long would it take before her eyes turned red and her soul black? Not long enough, she realized, looking at the gorgeous man with his lips wrapped around her fingers. Not nearly long enough.
Nikolai saw it in Elena’s eyes: lust, pure and simple, just like that coursing through him. She wanted him. There was no doubt about it. And he needed her. Like he needed to breathe, he needed this woman.
“Join me.” His voice was barely a whisper—more of a prayer, actually.