17. The Many Mysteries of You
“ T ell me what is wrong,” Adrian entreated Rose gently. He’d been on his way to speak to Ms. Shea, the signed request he’d finally decided to deliver himself tucked under his arm. Through the windows of an outermost hallway, he could see the early morning dark and remembered the dinner he’d shared with his Rose, so long ago now it seemed.
He’d been thinking of her, of their kiss and the teasing scrapes of his fangs over her skin, the way she’d tasted, and how he wanted to taste her again, as he walked by the garden.
And there she was sitting, looking like a vision.
Stepping out quietly, almost thinking she was a figment of his longing, he heard her sing. Struck, he watched while she seemed to lose herself in the garden. And then lost herself in thought. And then she silently cried, which seemed wrong, and he had to know why.
“I am fine, Your Highness,” Rose finally answered, getting to her feet. Sniffling, she bowed respectfully but refused to meet his eyes as he stood before her .
Stepping closer, taking her chin to try to make her look at him, he said, “Tell me what makes you sad, sweet Rose.”
Obstinately pulling her chin from his grasp, she gave a short shake of her head. And then she closed her eyes, biting her lip as it trembled, and blew out a heavy breath. He didn’t like seeing her struggle, and it only grew worse when she said, her voice hoarse, “Just silly dreams.”
“Silly dreams make you sad?”
He’d thought perhaps she was having a hard time transitioning, which made little sense since she had more freedom and less work as a maid.
Unless she was being bullied.
He lifted a hand to brush her cheek, wanting to clear the wetness, but she backed up a half-step, raising a hand to keep him away. “Please don’t.”
“Rose,” he admonished softly, not liking the distance between them. Perhaps she was embarrassed because of her tears, but he didn’t think so. She’d cried on him before—different circumstances, but she’d shown her vulnerability.
He wanted her to again, wanted her to confide in him.
“Tell me. Is it the other maids?”
Rose scoffed. “The other maids are babies.”
Adrian smiled as she rolled her eyes. “Then what has made you upset? I do not like your tears.”
Her chin trembled as more of them spilled over. “I miss them,” she choked brokenly. “They are only dreams, and I miss them. I dream of them almost every night now, and I long for them to be real. I feel like they are mine, and I want them back.” She pressed a hand to her heart, staring with intensely bright eyes. “I know it doesn’t make sense. I know it can’t be real, but by Sun God above, I feel like I am theirs, like I’m lost and they’re just . . . ”
Letting her voice trail off, she looked past him, over the bushes, and into the sky, where the stars were fading, like her tears that were slowing. “My dreams would always fade upon waking, but they linger sometimes now. I can’t see their faces clearly, but I feel . . .”
Adrian waited as she searched for words.
“I fear . . .” Voice trailing off again as her eyes came back to his, she seemed to catch herself. “I apologize”—she dipped her head as she sunk into another curtsy—“for talking so crazy.” She gave him a tight smile as she rose again, wiping her wet cheeks. “The lunacy is past, and I must start my work. It will be breakfast shortly. And I’m sure Your Highness has more important things to do than listen to the nonsensical ramblings of a maid.”
“I will always listen to the ramblings of my favorite maid, whether crazy or sane, which has yet to be determined. I do not want you to belittle yourself so, Rose. Dreams are rarely straightforward. Of course, you long for family. That is what you are alluding to, yes? The father you mentioned once, and maybe a mother as well?”
Rose looked away, but he turned her face back with a firm grip on her chin.
“Everyone wishes for people who belong to them, who understand and support them. Even if these dreams are only a manifestation of a deep wish, that doesn’t make them crazy.” He rubbed her chin with his thumb. “For all we know, they could be real. We have no idea of anything substantial about you. I’ve wondered myself who would sell a child they cared enough for to give at least a few years of education.”
“But then why? If I was cared for, why would they sell me into slavery in the first place?”
“That is a mystery, one of the many mysteries of you. I can assure you, I am searching for answers. I have an investigator looking into the Longhorn fire. I don’t know how much I will find, but I am trying. ”
“Really?”
“Really.” And as the idea struck him, he said, “Come for a ride with me.” He checked the sky toward the horizon. “The sun will be rising. We will take Martinet and share another meal. We can continue our conversation, discuss our ponderings. I have missed spending time with my favorite maid.”
“I thought Lucinda was your favorite maid.” The way Rose pursed her lips said she hadn’t meant to say that.
“And who told you that?”
Rose shrugged. “It is common knowledge who you spend your nights with.”
“Hmmm.” Adrian cocked his head in consideration. Was she jealous?
“She is quite pretty.” The nervous way she fidgeted her fingers had him hiding a smile. “It is she who you should be taking on your ride.”
“Is that so?” He ran a finger down the side of her face, smiling when she jerked away. “I think you’re a bloody liar. I also think you know who I want.” He leaned closer. “It is you who fills my dreams, Rose. I wake aching and stroke my cock to thoughts of you.”
Her audible intake of breath was tantalizing. He ran a thumb over her bottom lip.
“I dream of your kisses, of your fiery taste, of the warmth you exude when I hold you.” He almost tugged her into his arms, especially as her breathing quickened, her small breasts surging in her well-fitting uniform. He craved them filling his hands. “I have not had anyone beneath me in some time. Not since you stole my attention. I have been very busy and had little time to pursue you as I wish to.”
His nights had been packed with meetings with his father, additional Assembly and Council meetings, dinners with the nobles—which pleased his mother—and extra training at the urging of General Kent .
“It has been infuriating, honestly. An oversight occurred during your hiring or you would have been on nights with me from the start.” He lifted the folder in his hand. “But things will soon be rectified.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” He took her hand, tangling their fingers together. “Take the morning with me.”
She gave him a reproachful look, trying to pull away. “Things are too busy with spring cleaning, Your Highness, and I have not given notice for a day off.”
“Fucking hell, why are you so damn difficult? Our last night together proved just how much you want me. Yes, Your Highness, lick me more ,” he mimicked.
Rose’s face turned a most delicious shade of scarlet, and he thought he’d won.
But in the way she had of always surprising him, she said, “I have doubts about that, actually. My memories are very fuzzy. I thought perhaps you had me in thrall.”
He scoffed. “If your memory is muddled, it was most likely the wine.”
Rose rolled her eyes even as he brought her hand to his mouth to kiss her fingers. He loved the way her breath stuttered and her pupils went big, seeming to swallow the pink.
“I miss you,” he whispered, and she visibly softened. “Spend more time with me.”
“Can we compromise on tomorrow? You can do what you need,” she motioned to his folder, “and I can take care of my matters.”
“What matters do you have?” he asked sharply.
“Requesting the time from Ms. Shea to prevent waves among the staff.”
“There will be no waves or the one responsible will pay.”
“Dear God, you are infuriating. ”
Adrian flashed his fangs. “As are you. Who else would demand I wait?”
“I am asking. I know the concept is foreign—”
“I want you now.”
“Please, Your Highness. A day. Just one day. I—”
“Fine.”
Rose blinked in disbelief.
“I find I like your begging.” He grinned lasciviously. “So, take your day. But be prepared for tomorrow.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth, to the smile he still wore. It widened once more at her attention. “Do you dream of my bite?” he asked, caressing the quick pulse in her wrist with his thumb. “Do you touch yourself to thoughts of me?”
She blushed prettily, and he chuckled, bringing her wrist to his mouth to lick where he’d just been caressing. When he scraped her with his fangs, she whimpered.
But then she ripped her hand away.
“I have work, sir. I will see you tomorrow.” She began to stalk off but turned slowly back. “Thank you for listening to me.”
“Even though you don’t have that family you dream about, Rose, don’t forget that you have me. I am quite busy, but you can drop notes in my office at any time. In the topmost center drawer of my desk, there is a secret compartment in the back. Simply slip your note in there, and I will respond.”
“But I have no secret drawer.”
“Rest assured, I have ways of responding.” Unable to resist stealing a kiss, he was surprised when she lifted her face, sighing as he pressed his lips to hers. Leaning into him as he licked into her mouth, she kissed him back with gusto.
But quickly, she ripped herself away. On a small growl, he yanked her back .
“Tomorrow you will sate my thirst.” Pulling her hair to tip her head back, he caressed where her pulse pounded, and then he kissed the same spot. He licked her there, sucked, and scraped her with his fangs. When she whimpered once more, he smiled against her skin.
She could pretend she did not want him; she could deny how he made her feel, but when they were close like this, her body betrayed her.
Tomorrow, she would admit it.