Good.
If there’s one thing I despise, it’s a vacuous soul. And if she is indeed destined to be mine for all eternity, it’s nice to know her fiery side will keep me on my toes.
How can a monster like me be destined for a marvel like her? How can she be my equal in every way?
Even though mated bonds are so rare among our kind that very little knowledge exists about them, I do know the entire point is that it happens to two equally-matchedvampires. I’ve never heard of a vampire being mated to a human before. We are all born into the darkness alone and we eventually make peace with the fact that we’ll enter the embers the same way.
Nobody truly wants to die alone, human or vampire.
And as we are selfish and bloodthirsty creatures by nature, I know that some of The Five would do anything in their power to destroy my happiness, even if it was just a possibility. It’s why I keep Danni a secret, why I broke my own vow to protect her.
I underestimated the bond’s power. Danni has a hold on me unlike anything I’ve ever felt. The need to protect what is mine is an insatiable craving that surpasses the relentless thirst my kind experiences for an eternity. Rationality wants me to keep her at arm’s length, to protect her from the predators lurking around every corner, including myself. But no matter how hard I fight my urges, I need her by my side.
“You were supposed to stay in your room,” I snap at her, playing my role as villain a little too well.
If it stops her from wanting to stay on her own free will, I’ll do whatever is necessary. She can’t fall in love with me. No matterhow much it hurts, our bond simply can’t be completed. That’s the truth of it.
I wouldn’t damn my worst enemy to a lifetime of this darkness. Such is the fate that lies before her if she stays with me. I try to keep my cool around her as much as possible, but her pheromones drive me to the point of insanity. That’s just the bond talking; when I find myself getting too close and forgetting my inhibitions, it physically pains me to step away.
“I didn’t want to be late and you never said you would be escorting me here.” Her words mash together, her cheeks flushing a delicious shade of pink. I close my eyes, attempting to think of anything other than hoisting her up in my arms and carrying her back to my room to find out every single fucking way I can make her blush even more.
“You should stay in your room unless you’re with me or at training. I already told you, it’s not safe for you to roam the halls until you are officially my Familiar.”
I watch her face drop as I wrap another set of invisible chains around her wrist. Good.
Hate me, despise me; let me help you, let me get you out.
The bond hates how I speak to her. Each time my tone is cold, almost hateful, it carves out a piece of my heart as punishment. The bond craves for me to worship her down on my knees, to beg her for forgiveness, to tell her all of my deepest, darkest secrets if it meant she would give me a sliver of her attention. This war with myself is exhausting, but I will endure it for her.
She narrows her eyes and folds her arms, no doubt preparing herself to kick and scream at my requests. “You’re being ridiculous! I’m more than capable of handling myself, or have you forgotten what I keep hidden in my bag? Also, don’t even get me started on how I haven’t eaten a single piece of food since this morning.”
Danni blows a stray lock of hair out of her face. Her complexion resembles a succulent fruit I once ate in a different life, long ago.
God, I’m a sucker for a sassy woman.
Then her words register in my mind. “I sent you a meal right after I left the room. Are you telling me you received nothing?”
The bond thrashes inside of me as if it is a sentient being with its own mind. Which one of these fuckers is trying to starve her?
Protect, protect, protect.
Before I can rip the entire realm apart, the heady moans from Egor and Damon’s shared potential Familiar fall quiet. The string quartet is now the only noise within the intimate room. I know better than to continue this conversation. Vampire hearing is a perk everyone receives after their rebirth.
“I’ll deal with this later. Let’s get through this dinner, first.”
Danni rolls her eyes. She clearly has no fucking idea how dangerous The Five are. It’s equally intriguing and stimulating that she’s not scared of anything, but it does nothing to reassure the bond between us.
“Oh, yes, I can’t wait to pretend I’m head over heels in love with you for hours on end.” Her words sting. More than I’d like to admit.
I lean in closer, our faces mere inches apart. “I’m a catch, so it shouldn’t be too hard.”
The scent of her blood turns from a raging bonfire into a sweet honey. “You’re arrogant and irritating and spoiled and—”
“Magnificent in bed. Not to mention a powerful prince who can make all of your dreams come true.”
She snaps her jaw shut at the word prince, the realization in her eyes doing the talking for her.
Oh, yes, Danni. I’m not just any old vampire down here. I’m set to inherit our entire fucking realm.
