Either way, the man standing in front of me was absolutely delicious. His bronzed skin glowed in the sunlight. He had dark, luscious hair that fell perfectly behind his ears, and his teeth were too damn white to be real.
He looked nothing like the old bastard I expected to be barking orders at his guards. Kings and queens were getting younger and younger, weren’t they?
I was entranced by him, unable to glance away. Not with the way his bright blue eyes pierced into me, freezing me in place.
He approached Jessiah first. “An angel,” he greeted. “I can’t say we see many of your kind around here.”
“There aren’t many of us in Scarlata, either. Aside from myself and my brother.” Jessiah’s tone was measured, careful.
Cornelius surveyed him slowly. “Ah, yes. I’ve heard all about the half golden angel, half vampyre who has won the hearts of many. It’s impressive. Wings like yours hold great power, Jessiah.”
Jessiah’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
It had to be killing him to hold his tongue, but it was obvious that Matthias had been correct. Cornelius’s ego was enormous. If we played this game his way, he would be too blind to see just how much of a threat we could be.
We were here for answers. So far, the streets of Pericius had only raised more questions.
Cornelius greeted Xavier, then stood in front of me, holding out his hand. He wore several rings that glinted, despite the cloud cover. “And who might this fine young lady be?”
I took his offered hand, rising to my feet with my chin held high. “My name is Rummy.”
“Rummy.” I could have sworn his eyes glistened as he repeated my name. He assessed me from head to toe.
As his attention moved down my body slowly, I fought the chill that threatened to cascade down my spine.
Get it together, Rummy. He’s just a man.
“A woman as beautiful as you surely has no business traveling on such a long journey with the likes of these men. Let’s get you cleaned up and fed. I have a feeling we’ll all be getting to know each other very, very well over the next few days.”
The smile that spread over my face wasn’t entirely forced, but I couldn’t explain why. All my senses told me that this man was bad news. Yet I felt a strange pull toward him.
I bowed my head, finally pulling my hand from his. “It’s an honor to meet you, King Cornelius.”
With a smile, he turned away, saying, “The honor is all mine, Rummy.”
He barked orders at the men surrounding him, then strode toward the large doors at the front of the castle and barged inside.
Castlewasn’t quite the right word for the structure we were approaching. Within these walls was an entire city. Granted, I hadn’t seen much outside the confines of where I’d grown up and the new kingdom of Scarlata, but I was impressed.
Guards flanked us, guiding us inside. Behind me, Xavier and Jessiah whispered to each other, but I kept my focus ahead of me.
As if I could have looked anywhere else.
With every step, I was more impressed. Grand statues lined the perimeter of the entrance. Hallways led in every direction, with a massive spiral staircase on each wall, leading to the levels above.
Our footsteps echoed as we trod across the perfect white flooring. How did they keep floors like this so clean? Who had the fucking time?
Cornelius disappeared, but a group of women stood together, looking at me as if they were expecting us. “Hello,” the woman in front said. “My name is Nance. I’ll show you all to your rooms in our guest wing. This way!”
I glanced over my shoulder, making sure Xavier and Jessiah were following me. They each smiled politely, but when my eyes met Jessiah’s, there was a warning there.
Be careful.
Right.Because I was a damn imbecile who didn’t know how to act.
He underestimated me just like the rest of the world. Did he really think I would just fall into Cornelius’s good looks and charming demeanor?
Please. I hadsomespine.
