Return to reality.
Only to fall into a spiral of oblivion so overwhelming that I forget how to breathe.
He must notice or be concerned, because in a blink, he’s forcing air into my mouth as he continues to drive me deeper into my rapturous cyclone.
It’s a delirium of passion, one I feel may kill me. But I don’t care. Not when I feel like this. Not when I have his strong body around me, holding me while I fall apart.
I breathe him in.
Exhale.
And inhale his scent again.
Vanilla and lavender.
Monster and man.
I’m drunk on him. Lost to our embrace. Loving every second.
Until finally, the world begins to tilt into view again. The canopy over his bed. The dark silks and mahogany wood. The chandelier in the center of the room.
“Your bedroom is a Gothic wet dream,” I tell him on a sigh. “I like it here.”
“That’s good to hear,” he murmurs, his chest to my back as he holds me on the bed. I don’t know when I rolled to my side or how he ended up spooning me, but I don’t mind. It feels nice. “The Strigoi Kingdom is similar to this.”
“It is?”
“Yes.” He presses a kiss to my neck. “I’ve not been back often, but I’ve seen it evolve. The technology of your realm is behind, and there are parts of this world that are vastly different from my home. However, I think you’ll find some similarities to help you adjust.”
My brow furrows. We discussed some of the trials and what they meant, but not me agreeing to partake… or go to the Strigoi Realm. “You’re speaking as though a decision has been made.”
“Because it has,” he says, his voice stoic…stern. “Marius informed me last night that the trials have already begun. He was the first test. Congratulations, you passed.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CIPRIAN
I hold my breath,waiting for her reaction to what I’ve just revealed.
When she remains quiet for too long, I frown. “Viviana?”
“Yes?”
“Are you all right?” I ask, shifting so I can roll her to her back and stare down at her.
She blinks up at me. “I’m processing.”
“Oh.” I suppose that’s better than hearing her sayvampire. It’s also better than her screaming or crying. I know she understands, at least on the surface, how important these trials are for my kind. But I don’t think she’s aware of the risks.
I’m also aware that she didn’t actually consent to them, either. Something I assume will bother her, given her previous comments on the topic.
“If it matters, I did not initiate the trials. At least, not directly.” I study her beautiful face as I slowly retract my tail.
She doesn’t move, just continues to look up at me as her mind considers everything I’ve told her over the last few days.
“Marius says my people felt my intentions,” I go on. “They’re impatient. Which is my fault for taking so long to find a worthycandidate. I would apologize for that, but there’s a reason I chose to be selective. I don’t want to fail.”
“Fail in providing a good, uh, bride…?” she asks.
