The fucker was the personification of charisma.
Noted.
Dariah’s crimson eyes did not falter for a second with Natalia’s challenge—her supremacy over everyone went far beyond the abilities she possessed. “I may not be able to control you, but I would strongly advise you to obey.”
Her voice no longer carried the ability of compulsion, but its power still swept over us, forcing an uncomfortable chill down my spine.
Ay, Caralho…
Blinking, Natalia’s head tilted slightly, her gaze shifting to the large, feather-covered wings that extended along Dariah’s back. Her eyes swiftly assessed her own, dancing with blue flames before they returned to our Vampir Mother. With a slow, deep breath, our mate scented her, and her fiery wings receded in response, recognizing Dariah’s sovereignty.
My chest sank with relief.“At least she respects our Vampir Mother’s might over us.”
Natalia took a step back, performing an elaborate bow as she bent at the waist before straightening. “You’ll forgive me, Your Majesty, but right now I don’t exactly feel like doing what I’m told.”
“Aaand… you spoke too soon.”Hannes snorted, enjoying the show.
“Books?!” Flashing to the library directly behind Dariah, our mate’s red gaze glowed with excitement and curiosity as it spanned the entirety of the bookcases anchoring the fireplace in her suite.
Dariah’s vigilant eyes met ours, clearly intrigued by this awakening. It was nothing like mine, Constantin’s, or even hers had been. Our mate seemed fully in control of herself—if such a thing was possible for any newborn Vampir.
Except, we all knew better than to lower our guard.
Still coiled for action, we all faced her in time to find Natalia dashing along the bookcases, her hands pulling book after book, and fanning the pages, only to send it flying behind her as she discarded them.
“What is she doing?” Dariah asked, coming to our side.
“She’s reading them,” Hannes answered with a renewed smile.
“That fast?” Her eyes widened, glancing at me. No Vampir had ever been that fast.
I shared her surprise, unable to register her full actions like Hannes did, only glimpses within her blurred movements. It was fascinating.
“Are all new Vampires that fast?”
Dariah’s head shook as she glanced at Dante, her attention leaving the ever-growing pile of books on the floor. “Vampiri abilities are heightened as they first awake, but I’ve never witnessed anything like it. She’s…”
“Special…” Hannes finished for her, an adoring tone capturing his voice.
With a speed that would make any Vampirjealous, our mate moved from one end of her private library to the other, from the center to the top and down again before she reached for the next tome.
Admiration captured me too, witnessing the multifaceted beauty before us, and I was left speechless. The half Vampir, half Wolf Shifter marvel made for an absolutely incredible woman… and she was mine.
“Ours!”
I couldn’t help but grin at Hannes’s fierce growl.“You are right, my guy. She’s ours.”
Clearly, Hannes and I were not the only ones taken by her. Dante took a few steps toward our mate, fully entranced by the sight, but my hand shot toward his arm.
“We are not out of the woods yet,” I cautioned. “Newborn Vampiri are very territorial, and right now, everything is heightened. She could react?—”
Shadows swirled out of him, forcing me to jerk my hand back before they touched me, and swiftly engulfed him. I watched him reappear beside her, and her spine abruptly straightened.
Shit.
He’d just invaded her personal space.
Books forgotten, Natalia turned to face him, the crimson light in her eyes dangerously darkening.
