She lifted an eyebrow, bubbles up to her neck.
“I don’t need a play-by-play. I just want to know what drove you here.” He held a towel out for her. When she hesitated, he continued. “Elena, as lovely as you are, I have no interest whatsoever in you sexually. I am biologically designed to desire only one person. She was…born twenty-three years ago. The minute that happened, my sexual appetite turned off like a light switch, only to come back on recently when she came into power—and only for her.” He shook the towel he had stretched between his hands. “Come on. I’m a one-woman man. Lose the human modesty. It has no place in the Underveil. Enjoy what you are.”
She stepped from the tub and allowed him to wrap the towel around her. “What am I?”
He smiled. “I have no earthly idea.”
“I thought I was a vampire.”
He took another towel and squeezed her long hair to dry it. “Not like any I’ve encountered.”
“My eyes are red.”
He shifted the towel to another spot and squeezed. “Yes, but part of your original eye color is there as well.”
She moved to the mirror and looked closely. Sure enough, there were blue flecks in them. She opened her mouth and ran her forefinger across her top teeth. “The fangs are gone.”
He pulled a brush from a top drawer. “You must not need them anymore. Or perhaps they retract? Teleport to the living room for me, please.”
She closed her eyes and pictured the sofa of his living room, wishing to be there, and before she could take a breath, she was there.
After a few moments, he strolled in with the hairbrush and a bathrobe. “See? You have powers and are definitely of the Underveil, but you are not a vampire. And you ate food. Vampires lose all appetite for it the minute they taste blood.”
The pasta had been delicious. “No blood for this girl, thank you.” She grinned and Stefan grinned back.
“He didn’t break your spirit at least.”
Nikolai hadn’t broken anything really, except her heart. She took a deep breath and accepted Stefan’s help into a silk bathrobe. How odd it was to have a man cater to her. Nikolai would never have pampered her like this.
“Is there a reason you have a woman’s robe at hand?”
He stilled for a moment and then tied the sash. “For years, I have prepared for my mate to join me. I have a full wardrobe for her at all my residences.”
His sadness was palpable. She wanted to ask him about it, but held off.
He traced his fingers across the markings just under her collarbone. “The Uniter. Right here in my living room.”
“What does that mean?”
He turned her facing away and ran the brush through the ends of her hair, working up through her wet tangles. “I’m not exactly sure, but I know the prophecy, if you want to hear it.”
“She doesn’t.” Nikolai’s voice rumbled through her like an earthquake. It was as if his blood had made her a tuning fork that vibrated with his words. She should have expected this. Of course he would look for her here. She spun to face him.
Clean-shaven and wearing fresh clothes, he was delicious. He looked so civilized compared to the man she had been chained to. She wanted to run to him, and that repulsed her. Why would her body be such a traitor? Sexual attraction did not a healthy relationship make. This guy was bad news.
Stefan handed her the brush and turned to face Nikolai. “I will give you to the count of three to leave my home, or I will shock you into unconsciousness, Itzov. You are not welcomed here.”
“She’s mine.”
Bitchin’ bad word choice, asshole. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared.
Stefan looked from Nikolai to Elena, then back again. “She appears to be a free agent. One with tremendous power potential, so you’d best mind your manners. I leave it to her whether you stay or go.”
Nikolai’s gold eyes locked on hers. “Elena, please. We need to talk.”
There was no way this man would change. He was too entrenched in his way of thinking. In his possession and domination. A relationship of any kind with him was impossible, no matter how much she wanted it. What was left of her heart shriveled to nothing. “I’m sorry, Nikolai. I’ve nothing to say to you. I want you to leave.”
Stefan took several steps toward Nikolai, who took one step back. The Time Folder must have packed a real punch to back Nik down. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave, Slayer. You’ve done your part. You raised her from the ashes. You empowered her with your blood. Now it’s up to her to do the rest.”
The desperate tone in Nikolai’s voice made her heart ache. “Please. Please just talk to me.”
She held up her hand before he could say any more and weaken her resolve. “Just go.”
The look of betrayal on Nikolai’s face brought tears to her eyes.