Silence falls between them, and I twist my lips to the side as I set the towel down on the counter.
Should I… leave?I wonder, tightening the blanket around me.
No, regina mea. You’re exactly where I need you to be,Ciprian responds into my mind, his mental presence nearly making me sigh with relief.
I missed you,I admit.Which is crazy. You’ve been in my head for, like, a day.
Years,he corrects.You’ve been researching me foryears.
True.I smile a little.I guess you have been in my head for a while…
“I would be honored,” King Negru says, his wings relaxing. “Thank you for inviting me… son.”
Another tense moment passes.
“Viviana?” Ciprian murmurs.
King Negru moves, allowing me to finally see my Strigoi. I don’t hesitate, just run for him and jump into his arms. He catches me with a growl, then tugs the blanket back around me before it can fall. “Not yet, mate,” he tells me. “Father?”
I don’t understand what’s happening until I’m surrounded by wings, and then we’re moving through space in a way my mind struggles to translate.A portal, I realize.We’re… we’re in a portal.
Almost there, Viviana, Ciprian replies, his arm strong around my lower back.
I close my eyes and just let him take me.
All of this has been a whirlwind of fate. An experience unlike any I could ever have anticipated. But I would be lying to myself if I didn’t acknowledge that I’ve dreamt of this. Of him. Of the potential that could exist between us.
I thought those fantasies were born of long research hours obsessing over a figment.
But now I wonder if my soul simply knew where I would end up.
Here, in the arms of a Strigoi King,I think, sighing into his embrace.
“We’ll see you in ten days,” Ciprian announces.
When more than one male chuckle responds to his comment, I peek over his shoulder and see King Negru joining two other men. One of whom looks a lot like Ciprian, too.
My grandfather, Ciprian says into my mind.The other male is Barnes. Two ancients. They… organized the trials.
Hmm,I hum.And I assume you carrying me off like this means… I passed?
“Wepassed,” he says out loud. “Apparently, the rules have changed.”
He proceeds to explain everything via a few thoughts, telling me what Barnes and his grandfather shared about testing the royal bloodline along with the human candidate.
It seems like they approved of Ciprian finding his own mate, too.
I’m only vaguely aware of him sweeping me up a staircase, not with his feet but with hiswings.
We’re flying.
However, all I can see is him. His black eyes bleeding with crimson. His square jaw. His thick, dark hair. His…tail.
Only, I don’tseethat part of him.
Ifeelit.
“We didn’t get to finish our game outside,” he says, his lips brushing mine. “I would suggest we play again, but I’m not letting you go, Viviana. You’re not just in my nest now. You’re in mykingdom. And you’re never returning to your home world.”
