Chapter 24
Jalouser
CLAIRE
Chateau Rose’s towering iron gates opened as we approached. Although the grandeur of the castle loomed in the distance, my attention narrowed on Bastien, who was waiting to receive me.
I quickly closed the curtains and drew in a calming breath. I hadn’t expected him. Not after the way he’d left last night.
The coach door was opened, and an army of goosebumps rose across my arms. The wind biting through my thick black cloak.
A footman offered me a hand, which I took with trepidation, and slowly made my way down the stairs.
Another gust of snowy wind sent pieces of my unbound hair flying around my face.
With measured steps, I made my way to where the Duke of Roselyn stood.
Others joined me. Tyson. Okeri. Natalia.
I took little notice of them. I only had eyes for him.
Bastien wore a black knee-length frock coat, its lapels and cuffs embroidered in gold thread.
A simple black cravat framed his throat.
One hand rested on the head of his cane, the other tucked neatly behind his back.
He looked like an inkblot against the majesty of his castle, which was hewn from black stone.
The tops of each turret frosted with snow.
I was drawn to him, despite how angry I was, in a way I couldn’t quite understand.
Seeing him now, here, felt like coming home.
However, I knew better than to be tricked.
It was just the allure of him. A deadly predator who sought to set their prey at ease with their beauty.
Now, I knew much more about this vampire than rumors or gossip.
And I was prepared to bring him to his knees.
My attire matched his. Layers of black lace and chiffon detailed with gold appliqué on the bodice—one an attendant had stuffed me into during our last stop.
I lifted the hem of my dress as I took the castle steps one at a time, careful not to trip on my way up the long set of stairs.
When I finally reached him, I was taken by the color of his blue eyes.
They were as brilliant as the frozen streams crisscrossing the land outside his castle.
Dipping my chin, I curtsied, as was expected of me. Bastien bowed at the neck.
“Welcome to Chateau Rose, Miss Donadieu,” he said in his deep, melodic voice. “I believe a tour of your new home is in order.”
He extended his hand. I looked up at him through my lashes, not sure what to make of this gesture. Last night, he’d told me he didn’t want to touch me ever again.
I realized he thought me weak. Nothing more than a simpering girl who was ready to lap up whatever attention he was ready to give me.
On his terms. Well, I wasn’t the same girl he’d met before the last full moon, and I certainly wasn’t going to let his looks or his manners rule my actions from now on.
“Actually, Your Grace,” I said, glancing at Natalia, “The Lady Natalia and I have plans.”
“That’s right, Uncle. Remember, you’d said we’d be selecting her consorts upon arrival.”
Bastien tucked his hand behind his back. “I’ve already made arrangements to have the applicants brought up to Miss Donadieu’s room after supper,” he explained, holding my gaze. “Until then, Miss Donadieu and I will be taking a tour of the castle and the grounds.”
He was trying to force me to play his game. Well, games involved more than one player.
“I’m not particularly hungry, Your Grace. I’d rather meet them now, if it’s all the same to you.” Lifting my chin, I added, “Afterward, if she’s amenable to it, Lady Natalia can take me on a tour of the castle. I don’t want to bother you. I know you’re very busy.”
I smiled as sweetly as I could and, in doing so, was able to watch Bastien’s polite pretense crack. This wasn’t what he was expecting from me. Good.
Tyson eagerly said, “Lady Okeri and I would love to take the tour with you, Uncle.”
I nodded at him, encouraging this suggestion with a smile.
“Well, that’s settled then! You two can take the tour with His Grace,” Natalia said, gesturing to Okeri and her cousin, “and I’ll speak to Lena to see if Miss Donadieu’s selection can be moved up.”
She laced her arm with mine, and we started up the next step, when Bastien held out his cane, stopping us. “I will accompany Miss Donadieu.”
It was a command, nothing less. The low tenor of his voice went right through me, making the fine hairs on my forearms stand on end.
I wasn’t sure why he was taking such an interest in my consorts.
He’d made it clear how he felt about me.
Regardless of how frustrated I was with him, I wasn’t going to start an argument in front of his staff.
No. Mama wouldn’t want that. I’d made my point, and he’d made his.
“Whatever you wish, Your Grace,” I said, adding another curtsy for good measure.
His jaw clenched again, and for whatever reason, his displeasure caused me inordinate amounts of happiness.
I wanted him to be just as frustrated as I’d been last night when he’d gotten on his horse and left.
He withdrew his cane and turned to his nephew.
“Tour the grounds with Natalia, but be ready for the council meeting at eight bells.”
Tyson stuttered out his thanks, but Bastien ignored him. He attention focused on me. I tried to maintain my dignity under the intensity of his eyes by remembering how fickle he was. And how hurt I’d been.
He didn’t offer me his hand again. He simply turned on his heel and strolled through the large open doors and into the grand entrance.
His cane striking the marble floors with each step.
I followed after, taking in every detail of the entryway.
Long, plush carpets lined the floors. Flickering sconces dotted the walls.
Pausing, I let my gaze drift up to the iron chandelier hanging from the top of the vaulted ceiling. This place felt uniquely like Bastien.
Not opulent, but impressive.
He made small comments to me here and there, noting where the kitchens were located as well as the library. Staff bustled about, bowing and curtsying to us as we passed. I noticed most of the people here didn’t seem to fear him, but greeted him warmly.
We climbed a long set of stairs clad in deep red carpets that led to a quieter section of the castle with fewer staff.
Portraits hung on the walls, and fresh-cut flowers sat in vases on small side tables.
“This is the Royal Wing,” Bastien explained as we continued down the long hallway.
“Our personal residence. It’s secluded from the other suites.
” He gestured to a large wooden door. “This is your room.”
He stopped in front of the second-to-last door on the left, and withdrew a key, unlocking it. He held it open for me, and with interest, I stepped inside.
Floor-to-ceiling window panes stretched across the entire back wall, showcasing the snow-capped mountains surrounding the castle.
The view was as spectacular as the rest of the room, which was furnished with a four-poster bed, a seating area, a large claw-foot bathtub, and a wall of bookshelves packed with books.
Lush green plants were tucked into every nook, and pots of lilac moonflowers were placed on every flat surface.
Their sweet aroma filling the air, giving off notes of jasmine and vanilla.
It was a place I could spend days inside.
Every detail perfect. More than I ever could’ve asked for.
Bastien, who had been walking in front of me, stopped so abruptly I nearly collided with him. Before I could catch my balance, he caught my wrists and pressed my back against the glass wall.
“Your Grace!” I gasped.
He was close enough to catch each one of my tight breaths.
Close enough to feel my chest rise and fall, straining against the confines of my dress.
Close enough to feel the heat pouring off of me.
A heat only he could coax. He looked like he wanted to shake me and kiss me all at once—like he was one wrong move away from breaking his own rules.
“Are you trying to punish me?”
I studied the harsh line of his jaw. The tightness around his mouth. The wild light in his eyes. “Of course not, Your Grace. I’m simply following your orders.”
His grip on my wrists tightened, and he slid my hands up the cold glass.
My breath hitched. There was something about the power he possessed—his dominance.
Knowing that I was at his mercy. Knowing that I was the one driving him to act this way.
It was nothing short of intoxicating, but I wasn’t going to be like a reed in the wind, bending to his whim.
Not this time. Even when his gaze lingered on my mouth.
This was about defeating the Dark Witches who’d murdered my grandmother and who this vampire loved so well. And a little about my pride.
My back flattened against the cold glass when he inched closer. The hard line of his body pressed through the soft folds of my skirts, reminding me how very little space existed between us. If he wanted to stay away, why was he always getting so close?
“I-I thought you didn’t want to touch me again.”
Bastien held my gaze for a tense moment, then released my wrists. My hands fell limply to my sides, brushing my skirts. He didn’t step back. Instead, one of his hands braced the glass beside my cheek, the other gripping his cane, which was flush against my hip. Caging me in.
“I regret taking my temper out on you last night. That wasn’t gentlemanly of me. Nor was my other behavior. I apologize if I made you feel like any of it was your fault. To be clear, it wasn’t.”
I nodded once. Swallowing hard. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
He studied my face like he was searching for something. If he found it, I wasn’t sure. “No matter what Lady Natalia has told you, you are not required to select consorts today. In fact, you’re not required to have any at all.”
I was playing a dangerous game with Bastien, one that I had to play carefully if I wanted to earn his trust. So, I decided to give him another truth.
A dangerous truth. “Last night, you showed me something. Something… I am very grateful for. But I understand our relationship must remain professional. So, now, as a twenty-five-year-old woman whose femininity has finally been awakened after a life of seclusion, I am excited to explore more of who I am outside of prayers.”
His eyes fluttered shut and he muttered something in Sanguisi under his breath. “You deserve that.”
Our eyes met. I nodded. So did he. An understanding passing between us. “Before you meet these applicants, you should know there are a few rules. First, and most importantly, no one can touch you if you’ve been drinking.”
“Why is that?” I replied as sweetly as I could.
“It’s for your safety. There are no exceptions. Do you consent?”
I considered pushing for a better explanation but decided there wasn’t a point. I didn’t drink very often, so he could have his way.
“Fine.”
“Second, if I desire your presence, my request trumps any fun you may be having, and you must attend me. Is that understood?”
I raised a brow. “How often do you plan on exercising this right?”
“As often as I please,” he gritted out. “You are a vital part of my life—of keeping me alive,” he quickly corrected himself.
“Are there any exceptions?” I asked. “Let’s say if it’s not life or death.
You’re fine, just hungry, and I’m with one of my consorts.
If we’re together,” I forced myself to say, cheeks reddening with heat.
A low growl emanated from Bastien’s chest. “and you knock at the door, am I allowed to finish?”
“Miss Donadieu,” he growled.
Something inside me purred with satisfaction. “I’m only asking to clarify, Your Grace.”
He rolled his lips together, leaving them wet. “I will wait outside your door for three minutes. After that, if you don’t answer, I’m coming in.”
“Well, if they are as skilled as Lady Natalia says,” I replied offhandedly, “three minutes should be more than enough time.”
Another growl came, and I wondered what he planned to do. If he’d smash one of these glass windows or throw his cane across the room like he’d done at the inn. But he did neither. He simply asked, “Do you have any other concerns?”
I had many concerns, but I kept them to myself. For now. I shook my head. “Not at the moment, Your Grace.”
Slowly, his hand dropped from beside my face, and he backed up a pace, allowing me space to finally draw a full breath. “Should I send them in?”
Our eyes met, and once again, a flash of tortured pain swept across his face.
I could feel it land inside my chest too.
He didn’t want this arrangement. He didn’t want me to have consorts.
And neither did I. Not really. I wanted his mouth on my throat, his hands on my skin.
I wanted him to unravel me until there was nothing left.
But more than that, I wanted his company—to sit with him until late in the night, talking about his greenhouse, his roses, the things that made him human.
I wanted to strip away all the rules and let him show me exactly what I’d been missing my whole life.
But that was impossible. There was no future where my revenge, my mission, and my happiness all lived quietly together.
I lifted a hand to the choker around my neck, and released a pent-up breath.
There was no turning back. No room for fantasies of me and him.
This was the next step in collecting more information.
“Yes, Your Grace. I’m ready.”