Chapter 11
Tromper
CLAIRE
Istruggled, but it was no use. “Let me go.”
“First, I want an answer. Who did this?”
I struggled to find a reply, unsure what spawned this sudden line of questioning.
Had his men found something in my trunk that gave me away?
Was this the end? Was that why he dragged me out here?
To turn me over to the Witches of the Darkness?
And what about Sera? My fists clenched when I recalled the way Natalia had treated her.
Even though I wanted to tell the Duke every terrible thing his kind did and why I’d given up my life at Prideaux Hill to come here, I held my tongue.
I knew I was supposed to be submissive or, at the very least, fearful, to earn his favor, but I couldn’t stop the humorless laugh that tore from my throat.
“You are just as insufferable and pigheaded as your nephew, Your Grace.”
I shouldn’t have said it, but what was done was done.
The vampire’s lip curled, and a shadow of the monster he truly was made itself known. The shadows under his eyes darkening. Fear rose inside me. “And why is that?”
His kind were all the same. Self-serving and obsessed with the war waging outside the Unified Territories instead of focusing on the people within their borders. He should be protecting innocent Witches of the Light from the likes of Shreesa.
“The fact that you are a duke with a castle and guards and money, while I’m forced to sell my… my blood so my sister and I can survive, is what makes you insufferable.” My words came as sharp as the barbs on Mama’s choker, even though I had to fight against the dizziness that word invoked.
“Had my father not died in your war,” I continued, giving him half-truths that came with real pain, “I wouldn’t be here. The gold you gave Sera will change her life, and that’s all that matters to me. Helping my sister.” I drew in a steadying breath, then added, “No one put me up to this, but you.”
The power of my admission had the shadows around his eyes retreating. It seemed I’d struck a nerve with my vampire companion.
“Now,” I said, holding his gaze even though I was trembling with adrenaline and fear, “are we going inside? Or are we going to stand out here and bicker with your hand at my throat?”
He released his hold on my chin like I’d slapped him before putting a foot of distance between us. “I didn’t mean to imply…” he started, then stopped. Searching the grass for an answer. “You must understand…” he tried again. Another excuse falling flat.
I crossed my arms, waiting.
His gaze lifted, and I was surprised to see apology warming his icy eyes. “I hurt you.”
“You flatter yourself, Your Grace. It would take more than words to hurt me.”
His eyes widened, and I wondered why.
“I-I just…” Bastien cleared his throat. “I’ve had over five hundred sanguine partners.
Each one unique. Some witty. Some kind. Some were half as beautiful as you.
” At this, my cheeks warmed. He took a step closer.
“But they were all of my choosing. This time, you and that necklace chose for me. I’m sorry for questioning you so sharply, but as you can see, I’m still furious. ”
“A lot of choices were made for me, too. So, excuse me for not feeling bad about what I did. Next year, when you’re done with me, you can pick whomever you want and forget all about this mess.”
His lip curled. “Fine.”
“Fine.”
Nothing was said for a hot, tense moment. We simply stared at one another. Seething. Finally, Bastien extracted a key from his pocket, and I stepped aside so he could unlock the door. He let me in before following after, closing it quickly and securing the bolt.
By Diana. Everything inside the bathhouse was black. The walls. The candles floating above the rectangular pool. The glassy black stone tiles decorating the ceiling and floor. Even the towels laid out beside the steaming surface of the water. All of it as black as a twisted soul.
I didn’t need magick to know this bathhouse was powered by demonic energy.
The unsettling presence of dark magick hung thick in the air.
Thicker than the scents of this place, which were unfamiliar and strange to me.
The sweet aroma not unpleasant, but I didn’t want to breathe too deeply for fear of what it might do to me.
It was unnaturally warm inside, and I knew no wood stove was powerful enough to maintain this temperature and heat the pool.
This was the work of a demonic relic. One I very badly wanted to find and smash to pieces, but I felt sluggish.
The heat weighing on my eyelids. I couldn’t endure the sleeping draught’s effects much longer. Not in this place.
The vampire was seated on a small chair, removing his boots and socks.
He glanced up at me as I approached, and I stilled.
Something had changed between us. I wasn’t sure what, but after our argument, there was a shift in energy.
Not that I thought any better of him, because I didn’t.
He was still insufferable. His lips were pulled into a tight line, and his jaw set.
Clearly, he was still angry. But it didn’t make him any less striking.
No, not at all.
His deep, musical voice echoed in the small space. “Yes?”
I cleared my throat. My fingers seeking out the telareyon root in my pocket. “I’d like to do our feeding before I bathe,” I said. Maintaining my calm despite the light-headedness threatening to consume me. I had to be strong. “Should we get started?” I asked, glancing around for a good spot.
Bastien rose from the seat, barefoot, and slowly padded over to me.
He stood out among the darkness of the bathhouse, with his white shirt and straw-colored hair, and at the exact same time, blended in.
Like he belonged in dimly lit places. Cast in shadows.
Removing the tie that had held back his blond hair, he let the chin-length strands fall loose around his face.
My throat ran dry as I watched his thick muscles flexing through his shirt.
“I already explained that a feeding won’t be necessary,” the vampire said.
I forced calm into my voice even though I was mentally screaming. It had to be now. “Aren’t you hungry? You haven’t eaten in days.”
Something that could’ve been mistaken for humor lifted one corner of his mouth. “Worried about me now, are you?”
My mouth opened, but no words came out.
He canted his head to one side, contemplating me.
“Take your bath. Soak in the bubbles.” I opened my mouth to argue, but Bastien raised a hand.
“You’ve chosen to trust me with your well-being for the next year, and now, while I won’t go so far as to say I trust you, I understand your motivations for being here.
So, let’s not ruin the moment with debate. ”
Had my defiance earned me his respect? Perhaps the Duke didn’t just want a soft and sweet pincushion to sink his teeth in. Perhaps he wanted a woman with a spine. Maybe that’s what had changed.
“I’m going to the steam room,” he said, grabbing a towel and tossing it over his shoulder. “I’ll be back soon.”
It looked like the vampire wanted to say something more, but instead, he ran his long fingers through his hair and stalked away. I watched him leave with a mix of emotion tumbling inside me.
Who knew how long he’d be gone. And he didn’t intend to eat.
By Diana, I was failing, and I couldn’t keep doing that.
My family was trusting me. I had to get him to feed from me.
Maybe if I tempted him, he wouldn’t be able to resist. So, as much as I hated begging a vampire to do anything, it was my last resort.
“This room has plenty of steam, Your Grace. Please,” I said, desperation bleeding into my voice. “I don’t want to be alone.”
It seemed to work. He turned to face me, concern etched into the corners of his eyes. “You’re nervous.”
Trying to sell my fear, I said, “A little.”
“What are you nervous about?”
I rounded my shoulders and made myself smaller like I sometimes did when I was in trouble at home. “That I’m failing you,” I said quietly. “A sanguine partner is supposed to keep her vampire strong, isn’t she? If something happens tonight because you’re weak…” I let the words trail off.
My gaze skated down his body. The steam had saturated his clothes, causing them to stick to his muscular torso. I swallowed hard, and told myself I didn’t want him here for any other reason than practicality.
“You are truly worried that I won’t be able to protect you?”
Our eyes connected, and a warm pulse of heat traveled from the tips of my ears down to the base of my spine. My breath shallow. My thighs drawing closer together. I nodded once.