“That was completely unnecessary,” Pierce muttered.
“What’s her problem?” I asked, genuinely confused.
Pierce frowned. “She’s not well, Benji. Usually she’s not this bad. But she knows that without a dhampir heir to aid her, she can’t maintain the fog used to conceal us and our actions from the humans.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “She’s only rushing for our sake.”
I nodded. “I guess that makes sense. She doesn’t want you guys to get hurt.”
“Yes. But it wouldn’t kill her to be kinder to you,” he growled.
I shrugged. “In-laws, am I right?”
A smirk appeared on the corner of his mouth. “Yes. Now come. I have more exciting plans for you tonight.”
I shuddered in anticipation.
* * *
This time,Pierce didn’t lead me back to the guest room.
“Holy crap,” I muttered.
A sprawling, luxurious room greeted me. It was like mine, but ten times fancier. An antique lion-skin rug stretched over the old hardwood floor, looking almost golden within the deep-purple walls. Another fireplace crackled in the corner beneath an oil portrait in a gilded frame. I recognized the man in the painting.
“Is that you?” I asked.
Pierce smiled. “Yes. Funny, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“It’s painted in an old style,” Pierce explained, striding over to touch the frame, “but it’s quite recent. Makes you believe it’s centuries old, though, doesn’t it? Margaret had it commissioned to match the other paintings.”
I tilted my head. “So… I don’t know if this question is offensive, but how old are you, really?”
He looked amused. “Not at all. I’m almost one hundred. Born in the twenties.”
“Oh. Well, you don’t look a day over thirty.”
He laughed softly now, then winked at me. “I told you. We’re the same age.”
“Guess so,” I said with a grin.
Pierce crossed the room with long strides and took my hands in his. As the fire flickered behind him, his face grew dark with need.
“Your scent,” he said in a low voice, “has gotten stronger.”
I blushed. “Has it?”
He stroked my burning hot cheek. “Sit.”
I swallowed hard and sat on the edge of the bed. Meanwhile, Pierce locked the door. His gaze never left mine as he returned.
“Your body is telling me it's ready,” Pierce said. “Are you?”
My breath caught in my throat. “I think so,” I said with a small laugh.
“I need you to be certain,” Pierce growled. “I will not breed you unless you are.”
The words made me shiver. “Yes,” I said more firmly. “I’m ready.”
