Chapter 18 #2
“All right…ugh…First I need to take these damned things off…” She yanked a boot off, revealing her pale bare feet and dark pointed nails. She struggled with the other one. He fell to a knee and held the boot, slowly working it off for her. “Confounded cages of fashion,” she muttered.
Roderick stilled. “What did you say?”
“I’m always presentable,” Anya slurred and kicked him in the face just as he started to stand.
“Ah!” He shook his head and stared down at her feet. The pain fled his mind. Those toes. He knew those toes. They looked just like—
Anya gasped. “I get to ask you a question!” She stumbled into him, forcing his back against the edge of the counter. They were chest to chest as she fingered his fangs. The scent of bergamot rushed to his senses, making his heart gallop. “What does it feel like?”
Heat flooded his cheeks. “What does what feel like?”
“Biting into another—tasting them. I mean, I imagine it’s a painful pleasure to receive.” She stroked from his chin down to his chest. He shivered as she brought her face closer to his.
“I—I wouldn’t know.” His eyes darted to the door. This was a most compromising position.
“Liar! Don’t lie to me!” She traced a claw down his jaw. “A lord…A lauded knight…Surely you have a lover.”
Was Anya drunk enough not to remember if he told her the truth? The words threatened to spill out. One small confession felt like it could purge him of so much. But if she remembered, would she mock him?
When he looked into her harvest moon eyes, the answer was an emphatic no. She wouldn’t look down on him. If anything, she’d be surprised. Perhaps it would change her view of him for the better. Maybe she’d stop treating him like a salacious courtier.
“I’ve never bitten anyone.”
“How could you resist biting a lover, being so close to their neck in the throes of passion?”
“I’ve never truly lain with anyone. I’ve had such pleasures, but not in the way you think.”
Her dizzy eyes focused on him for a split second, bearing a hint of sober disbelief. Thankfully, the tipsy mirth returned to her voice.
“Bah! Someone as handsome as you?” She slipped a claw into his shirt pocket, focusing hard on…whatever she was digging for in there.
“You think I’m handsome?” He felt her claw press into his pectoral. Damn it all. She was fanning the all-consuming flame that threatened to turn him to ash. Was this a game to her?
Or did she really mean it?
Her eyes shifted to his body, hands gliding over every part she spoke of in a deliciously slow monologue.
“Your toned chest…These muscled shoulders…Tight forearms…And don’t get me started on those fangs…
ngh…” Their eyes met, breaths mingling peppermint and ale between them.
She was beautiful kindling for his desires.
He’d hardly even thought about the mystery wo—
Oh Divine. Bergamot, blonde hair—hating shoes?
“Have you ever been to Melusine Manor?” he sputtered, gripping her shoulders in an attempt to bring sobriety to her mind.
“Don’t get me started on those fangs,” Anya repeated lazily, pointing to his mouth. “Those damned fangs…”
“Melusine Manor. Have you ever been there?” He stared at her with wide eyes, as if his gaze could bring her to.
“Have you ever been to Melusine Manor?” she repeated in a mocking tone.
Damn. She wasn’t focusing on the question, and she’d all but forgotten about his request to prove she could walk straight. “You need to go to bed, Anya.”
She yelped as he lifted her into his arms and made for the hall. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“I’m taking you to bed.”
Dead silence hung between them. Her canine eyes locked with his, pupils blown wide.
He flustered as realization dawned. “Oh! I, uh, I didn’t mean—”
“Bahahaha! Oh stars, your face!” She threw her head back and unleashed a howling laugh. “Oh gallant knight, carrying the Princess to his quarters!”
He couldn’t help but chuckle along with her.
“Shh!” While her riotous laughter was infectious, he was still of right enough mind to search for the nighttime deckhands as they went.
As if on a cursed cue, Bernard emerged from his family’s cabin, watching the two of them with interest as he closed the door behind him.
“Don’t mention this to anyone,” Roderick whispered, swooping by him. “Especially not in any Crown reports.” He adjusted Anya in his arms and fished out a copper coin, holding it out to him.
“You’re not going to—” Bernard looked appalled, parrying his eyes between the inebriated Princess and Roderick. “She’s—I can’t let you—”
“No! I’m not going to bed her. I found her like this. She’s under a lot of stress. I’m only taking her to her cabin, I swear.”
“Oh!” Bernard exhaled. “No bribe needed then. Sailor’s swear.” He crossed his heart with an X.
Did everyone think so little of him? That he would bribe someone to keep such an unconscionable affair secret? The look in Bernard’s eyes was enough to make him feel lower than the hay his horses trampled.
Roderick proceeded down the hall, pressing a hand over Anya’s mouth just as she started to howl again. There were at least a dozen crew members asleep in the belly of the ship.
I should have left her in there.