For research purposes or pleasurable ones?he wonders.
For curiosity’s sake,I reply.
Destruction of the mind, typically by beheading and setting the remains on fire,he informs me, his blunt words causing me to blink.
“I, uh, I don’t think killing is a good idea,” I say, the words for Gaby. “Marius is Ciprian’s best friend, and he helped me find Negru Castle.” It sounds lame to my ears, and clearly registers that way for Gaby, too.
“Seriously?” She gapes at me. “Seriously?”
“See? Other people like me,” Marius boasts.
“Well, I didn’t say that,” I insert.
But he’s not paying any attention to me now. He’s entirely focused on my simmering best friend. Her dark curls bounce as she turns around to glare at him again. “You’ve clearly compelled her.”
He tilts his head back and looks at the ceiling above with a groan. “My Gods, female, you areinfuriating.”
I think we should let them keep flirting,Ciprian murmurs into my mind.Meanwhile, we’ll go get some breakfast. You and the baby need food.
I don’t know if this is flirting.My brow crinkles again.But… but food is probably good. So long as you’re sure Marius won’t throttle my friend.
Hmm, I can’t promise that. Something tells me your best friend may enjoy some strangulation.
I blanch at that.What?
But I am certain Marius won’t hurt her in a way she dislikes, Ciprian goes on.Her being here means she’s our guest, and given her relationship with you, she’s very much under my protection. Marius knows better than to disrespect me in that way.
“We are going to breakfast,” Ciprian announces before I can reply. “Please continue to entertain our guest, Marius.” He folds his wings around me, confusing me a little about his intentions, as it’s going to make walking difficult.
“You cannot be?—”
The words are cut off by the room vanishing around us. Not that I could see much beyond Ciprian’s wings, but the ceiling disappears.
Only for a dark sky to appear in a blink.
His gray wings unfold, allowing me to see that we’re now in a courtyard. Or rather, a garden full of exquisite black roses.
I stare at the gorgeous landscaping, then glance up at the blood moons above in the obsidian sky, then back at the enchanted flowers. There’s a blanket with a basket waiting for us in what appears to be silver-like grass.
“What is this?” I ask, distracted from the conversation we just left. “And you canteleport? Or do you have a portal thingy?”
This time, he allows me to hear the chuckle from his lips, confirming we’re alone out here. “Ah, regina mea, there is so much I need to teach you about the Strigoi.” He presses his lips to my throat. “I requested a picnic before our shower. The basket is empty, but it can create whatever you desire.”
“Like the refrigerator your father used?”
“Yes, just like that,” he murmurs.
“Oh.” I swallow, suddenly parched. And hungry. And… andenamored.
“Also, yes, I can teleport. But only a few miles in distance. I think theportal thingy, which is called aportal key, is still with my father.”
My head spins. One would think by now I would be used to all the otherworldly magic and Ciprian’s abilities. But I suspect it’ll take years for me to become accustomed to everything.
As he said, there’s still a lot for him to teach me.
“I guess you could give me a lesson now,” I say, my hands going to his chest to begin sliding upward. “But I have a request.”
One of his dark brows wings upward. “Oh?” His hands grasp my hips as he pulls me closer to him. “Name it.”
