Chapter 9 #2
She quickly looked away, her cheeks blushing again.
I stood up and went to the dresser to brush my hair and adjust my red hairbands.
I think I have been laughed at my entire life for this type of hair style.
Neither in Marabour, nor at the court of my dad was it common for men to wear them.
But here in Carnivalland I dressed however I wanted, and I would hope that one day Gwendolyn and I could indulge in pleasure without her being too afraid of what other people might think of her.
Then I noticed her looking at me in the mirror, her gaze locked to every one of my movements.
“Do you like what you see?” I repeated my question, with the sole purpose of forcing her to look at me.
“Xavier…” she murmured.
“Why can’t you just tell me the truth?” I loved how my teasing got under her skin so easily, it only made me more intrigued with her, if that was even possible.
Instead of responding to me, she gazed down.
Smart girl. She knew any response would only be a lie, and I felt she hated lies.
Maybe because she was forced to put on a fake smile her entire life.
“My prince, your guests have arrived. It’s time,” one of my servants said, interrupting our conversation.
“I’ll come after I make sure she is ready. Now leave us alone.” My tone was loud enough to cause Gwendolyn to flinch. I didn’t want my anger or annoyance to affect how she perceived me.
“Do you need any help with your dress?” I asked as she fiddled with the fabric.
“No,” she said.
“Are you sure?” I found it admirable how shy she was in my presence and that she would rather go out with an open lacing on her back than accept my help.
She nodded.
“This dress is extravagant,” she said as her sweet fingers stroked the golden fabric.
“It’s yours,” I told her, looking at her fondly. Every stitch, every glimmering gemstone belonged to her.
“This is too much,” she murmured, shaking her head. “I can’t wear something like this.” It was quite amusing and annoying at the same time to see her so humble.
“You think this is too much?” I gripped her chin and turned her around to face the mirror.
I took the gown from her hands and held it up for her to see, noticing her gaze sweeping over the dress again. Gwendolyn liked the dress. She might be overwhelmed by its beauty, but it wasn’t any different from what I felt when I was near her.
“This dress is lucky to touch this sweet skin. I’d tear it off just to remind you that nothing compares to you, Gwendolyn.”
She looked up at me, startled like she couldn’t even believe how much I wanted her or how I even saw her.
“No fabric of this world, no gemstones, no gold could ever match your presence. I could spin you a dress of moonlight and it still would pale beside you. You will forever be the only thing I can’t take my eyes off.”
Her breath caught in her throat, and I immediately understood that no one had ever spoken to her like this. My gaze followed every single one of her movements, she was so beautiful and all mine.
I lifted a strand of her hair between my fingers, twirling it around one of them. Her body reacted so fucking perfectly toward me. Even the slightest touch made her shiver. I could only imagine how much she would be shivering underneath me when I feasted on her with my tongue.
“But if this dress makes you hesitate, I will find you another… perhaps one woven with silk colored like the weather, or completely golden like the sun? Or…” I stepped closer, breathing in her hair. “Shall I leave you with nothing at all, my little demon?”
Her eyes widened; her skin was burning up.
If she wouldn’t be so cautious with me… I would have claimed her right against the wall, making her come in all sorts of ways.
But, as vampires could smell sex better than anyone else, I couldn’t allow the others to breathe in her sweetness.
Before that happened, I would kill each one of them—or at least rip out their nostrils.
“That won’t be necessary,” she said quickly, snatching the dress from my grasp.
“Then dress yourself, my love. I would hate to keep my kind waiting. Vampires can get very naughty if they are bored…”
My gaze flickered over her body, unintentionally lingering a bit too long on her exposed skin.
I was taking in the entire view, my gaze hungry, and lustful.
If I didn’t want her to see my red eyes, I should start to look away from her.
I was taking a step toward her, slowly starting to close the distance between us as I admired her.
Admired what was going to be mine. I trailed my fingers slightly over the tassels on her dress.
This was really the most extravagant piece of fabric I’ve ever seen. It was made for her.
How could she think she asked for too much by wearing this dress when the world had given her so little?
“You know I could adjust your dress…”
Her gaze met mine, she wanted me to help her…
but I sensed something completely different on her tongue.
Fear. It wasn’t the fear that paralyzed you, but the fear of losing yourself in another person, and not being able to find your way back.
She was afraid of admitting this connection we shared.
I gently grabbed her by the wrists to stop her fidgeting with the back of her dress.
My fingers started to slide the clasps closer together.
I pressed her back against my chest, her sweet smell surrounding me, capturing me so completely that I wanted nothing more than to taste her delicious skin and drink the blood that was ever meant for me.
“Gwendolyn, you’re trembling… Tell me what’s wrong?
” My question couldn’t hide the worry in my tone.
I was concerned for her, my own movements almost too hesitant as I pressed her body against mine.
My arms embracing her from behind. I wanted to make sure she would feel me, that she knew I would take care of her.
My forehead nuzzled against the back of her head, taking in the scent of amber, smoke and roses. My shampoo.
“I’m fine.” It was a lie. Obviously.
“…sure, that’s why you are shaking…” I turned her around to face me.
“I’m just nervous…”
“You are the most gorgeous creature that I’ve ever seen, and you don’t need to be nervous. I promise you; I won’t leave your side.” I stroked through her hair, pressing a soft kiss against her hairline. To my surprise, she didn’t argue with me.
There was no way I would ever risk someone hurting her—including myself.