“Of course not,” he answered, though he was well-aware his tone said otherwise.
She sidled closer but not too close, setting her gloved hands on the stone banister. “I wanted to speak to you about this afternoon.” She dropped her chin, staring at the snow-dusted garden, the stone path silvery white under the moonlight.
Mikhail cleared his throat. “Yes. I wanted to apologize for my behavior.”
“Apologize?” She looked up, her fairy-like visage luminous. “Please don’t.”
Stunned for a moment, he tore his gaze away and stared at the humped moon hanging between two peaks of the Novak Mountains in the far distance. The tension between them would only tighten if he didn’t explain himself, and why there could be no repeat of what had happened that afternoon.
He blew out a heavy breath, the frosty air curling upward. “Fine. I won’t apologize. I am pleased to have been of service to you.”
She angled her body toward him as he kept his grip on the bannister. “I was pleased as well.” Her tone held a teasing lilt.
Hardening his expression, he faced her finally. Her smile faded at once.
“It can never happen again.”
Her lashes dropped. She swallowed hard before lifting her chin, a defiant glint in her eyes. “Was I so distasteful to you?”
He almost choked on air as he inhaled deeply with one hard shake of his head. “No, Your Highness. That isn’t it.”
“Then why must it never happen again?”
Shock didn’t cover his reaction to this innocent beauty asking why they couldn’t explore each other’s bodies. Her primal nature had truly taken hold, her vampire playing the predator behind glass-blue eyes. Hell and damnation, if he didn’t long to break every code to show her other pleasures. Deeper, darker, carnal pleasures. But his men depended on him.
“You are Vilhelmina Dragomir, heir to the throne of Arkadia. You are destined to lead the southern kingdom. And I am the Captain of the Bloodguard, who has sworn an oath, promised with blood, to lead my men toward victory.”
“I see. Even so, you are a vampire…with needs. Are you not?”
Her pulse quickened as she waited patiently for an answer. He refrained from leaning closer to stroke his thumb along porcelain skin.
“Yes. I have needs. Ones that are fed quickly and without complication in a blood brothel.”
She flinched. He hated himself for speaking the truth so harshly, but there it was. She must understand. Acid churning in his gut, he went on.
“Every member of the Bloodguard has taken a sacred vow of fealty to the Guard itself. Forsaking marriage or family or any kind of relationship with a lover. His loyalty, his focus must not be divided.”
As she snapped her gaze away from him, he felt it like the cold slap of northern wind. “I see,” she whispered. “You spoke of victory. What does victory look like for you?”
The need for revenge for his father, for his ancestors, for his men’s families, burned hot in his chest, especially now that it was in his reach.
“It means the defeat of Queen Morgrid and King Dominik’s army. It means the overthrowing of her reign altogether, preferably with her death and that of her brutal son. It means starting over for the land of Varis with just and benevolent rulers in place.”
“And when you’ve achieved this victory? What then? The Bloodguard will continue on being mercenaries for hire?” She bit her bottom lip as if she regretted saying the last, but he knew he’d sparked her anger.
“The Bloodguard will always be needed, Your Highness,” he said gently. “To maintain order for the new realm. To help those rulers who come into power to enforce a new way of life for the people.” He softened his tone. “I have a duty.”
“I understand.” She faced him again, straightening her shoulders, gaze direct, mouth tilted in almost a smile. “Once upon a time, I would’ve swallowed my own desires and wishes, bowed gratefully, and taken my leave to do my duty as the obedient princess.” She waved a flippant hand in the air as if shooing away a vision of her past. “But I am not that girl anymore.”
She eased so close, her bodice brushed his waistcoat and his heart seized.
“Something happened when you awoke me in that tower. I can feel it as easily as I can feel your breath on my cheek or the winter chill at my back. It’s real. It feels wrong to turn away.”
She placed a gloved hand upon his chest, her feathery touch summoning his desire as if she cast a spell upon him, able to control his every thought. As if that wasn’t enough, she slid her hand up his chest to cup his nape while he remained a block of marble. Her fingers brushed the short hairs, the sensation sending blood rushing to his cock.
“I know you feel it, too.”
She smiled wider, kicking his heartbeat into a thunderous roar. Sweat beaded along his brow, but he said not a word. He couldn’t, wouldn’t confirm that she was right. He was the goddamn Captain of the Bloodguard. He had more control than that.
“Did you know I’m an empath, Captain?”
Closer still. Her perfect pink lips so near, all he’d have to do was dip his head a few inches and he could kiss her, drink from that sweet mouth. Slip his tongue inside and taste heaven. Or was it hell? He wasn’t sure.
“My whole life, I’ve remained quiet in my little cage that Steward Thorwald kept me in at Briar Rose. I was forced into an agonizing bloodless sleep by that witch, Queen Morgrid. And apparently, I’ve been sold into marriage without my consent.” Anger rode her words. “But you woke me up. In so many ways.” She sucked in a shivering breath. “I know you want me,” she whispered, her gaze roaming down to his mouth. “Like I want you. There’s more here between us. And I won’t ignore it.”
Then she left him on the balcony. And heaven help him, as he watched her walk away, he knew he was doomed.
Chapter Six
“Thank you for your kindness and generosity, Lady Galena.” Mina clasped hands with her.
“You honor us, Your Highness.” Lady Galena stepped back.
Mina then embraced Irena warmly. “Thank you for everything. I hope we’ll meet again.”
“Oh, I hope so, too.” She leaned in and whispered, “Perhaps a royal ball where my brother isn’t invited.”
Mina laughed. “He only wants to protect you.”
“Smother me, you mean.”
A sad pang swept over Mina. Other than her friend Kathleen, she’d never had anyone to love as Irena did. She held her at arm’s length, clasping both her hands. “Count yourself lucky.” Then she winked, “But I’ll definitely invite you to the first royal ball I host.”
“What’s that?” asked Aleksei, stepping up behind them.
“Nothing,” they said in unison, then laughed.
“We’d best move on,” urged Mikhail.
Mina pressed her cheek to Irena’s one more time. “We shall see each other again soon. I am sure of it.”
When Mina stepped aside, Dmitri took her place and swept a kiss over Irena’s hand. “Until we meet again, my lady.”
Irena flushed.
“Not if I can help it,” grumbled Aleksei, shoving Dmitri onward. “Let’s go, lover boy.”