It was the reason he hungered for her, yearned for her. During those first few months after he turned fae, he thought perhaps the reason behind his bloodlust for her was because he’d longed for her since the beginning. Yet he barely knew anything about her. And fuck, when she wished for him to be fae, her magic fused to his admiration for her, transforming it into something primitive and predatory. He hadn’t loved her when they first met, he merely found her attractive. Pretty, even. She’d done this to him. She’d morphed him into some monster of a being who was barely capable of controlling his desire. No wonder he could not quit her from his mind. Her pulse haunted him. Her blood tormented him. Her scent plagued him.
How could he have been so fucking foolish?
So damn blind to what was happening to him?
The reckoning slammed into his subconscious, fueling him with understanding for the first time since he woke after his death.
I wish I never laid eyes on her.
A strangled cry tore from Caelian’s lips, and she pressed her palms firmly to her temples, squeezing her eyes shut. When she opened them again, they were bloodshot and rimmed with tears.
No. He couldn’t fall victim to her cries again. He shook his head, shoving a few loose pieces of hair back from his face. Without a second thought, he lowered her to the ground, shoving himself away from her. “I shouldn’t have done that. Making you kiss me was a mistake.”
“You didn’t make me kiss you.” Caelian lifted her chin, tears sliding down her cheeks, and that swollen bottom lip of hers trembled. She swiped hastily at her fallen tears. “I told you?—”
“Enough!” He stalked toward the cold hearth on the other side of the room, stabbing one finger at her. “This isn’t real.None of this is real. You tricked me with your fae magic, muddled my mind until you occupied every corner of it. It all makes sense now. Did you think I was too stupid to figure it out? That I wouldn’t realize you wished for me to fall in love with you?”
The door of the study groaned open, and Kjeld turned to find the queen standing in the doorway, one prominent brow arched in a severe manner.
“Your Majesty.” He inclined his head, bending into a short bow.
Queen Viktoria smiled, sharp and keen, then clasped her hands before her. “By all means, General. Don’t stop berating your apparent beloved on my account.”
When her golden eyes landed on Caelian, they softened slightly. She stepped into the room, Elder Lothaire gliding in behind her, and Kjeld instantly went on alert. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to be aware, to be vigilant. He reached for Caelian, but she dodged his grasp, avoiding his touch, tripping over the pile of books to get away from him.
Fuck.
“Deepest apologies, Your Majesty.” Caelian’s voice wobbled, and she hiccuped as she dropped into a clumsy curtsy. “I seem to have lost my way to the festival.”
“I’m inclined to agree. Come, darling.” The queen clasped both of Caelian’s hands, helping her step over the books, guiding her toward Lothaire, who stood waiting like a ravenous predator. “Elder Lothaire will be more than happy to escort you to the Evarfest.”
Kjeld’s hands fisted at his sides, his nails biting into the rough skin of his palms.
Part of him wanted to stop Caelian. Part of him wanted to watch her leave.
Lothaire offered his arm to Caelian, and when her delicate hand rested upon his forearm, Kjeld wanted to rage. He wanted to toss her over his shoulder like a sack of grain and lock her in their room until they left this godsforsaken place.
Inhaling sharply, he shook the traitorous thoughts from his mind.
Fucking fae curse, he thought to himself. This was Brackroth. His home. He belonged here. Caelian did not.
Lothaire’s cold gray eyes slid over Caelian, lingering where her ample breasts and perky nipples were on full display. His mouth curved into a lascivious smile. “I’m at your service, Lady Caelian. Shall you need anything at all this evening, merely say the word, as thepleasureis all mine.”
A blush scalded Caelian’s cheeks as she flushed under his attention. “Thank you, Elder Lothaire.”
She did not look Kjeld’s way again.
“So,” Kjeld drawled, folding his arms over his chest to keep from punching the nearest wall. “I see your guard dog can speak after all.”
Lothaire’s gaze took on a vicious gleam, his free hand curling seamlessly around Caelian’s waist, drawing her into him.
“Yes.” When he spoke, his voice was chilling yet smooth, layered with a heavy Northernlands accent. “And I bite, too.”
He flashed a wicked smile, revealing not ordinary teeth, but elongated pearly fangs.
Kjeld took an immediate step back while Caelian gazed up at Lothaire, mesmerized.
She blinked, the tears on her cheeks drying as she spoke. “You’re a vampire.”
