He looked completely distraught, sagging into himself. “But I don’t love her. I don’twantto marry her.”
Hearing him say it simultaneously made me happy and sad at the same time.
I nodded, my throat tightening with emotion. “And yet you must.” I barely got the words out before I had to swallow a sob.
He looked off into the moonlight garden as if pondering everything, and I sat on the windowsill, pushing it open all the way as I studied the sharp lines of his face. I was reminded how the water trailed down it as he kissed me in that shower.
He looked up at me then. “I want to have my cake and eat it too.” His eyes flared yellow.
“Doesn’t everyone want that?” Denial was a nice place to live, but I wanted to stay firmly in reality.
He rushed forward, bracing himself on the ledge as he pulled his body in line with mine and leaned on the windowsill. Our faces were mere inches away from each other and my breath hitched.
“Don’t give up on me. I’m going to marry Cassara and become king. But the second your mom is free, the second I pardon my friends, I’m going to have you.All of you.I promise.” His voice was throaty and it made my stomach do flip flops.
I hated that he was promising me something he couldn’t give. I wouldn’t fall for another man with empty promises.
“You barely know me, Luka. I’m not worth the trouble.”
I looked away from him and stared at the wall, wishing he would just go. I’d already grieved him and now he was giving me hope.
“Hey, look at me.” There was hurt in his voice, and when I turned to look at him his eyes were stormy and slitted into a half glare. “Iknowyou. Don’t ever say that again. I feel you inside of me every single day.” He tapped his chest, no doubt referring to the bond.
I swallowed hard, trying not to swoon at the romantic words he was spouting.
“Promise me you won’t give up hope. I need something to look forward to if I’m going to marry Cassara.” His voice was deep and full of discontent.
I couldn’t imagine getting married to someone against my wishes, someone who had been arranged as my life partner since birth. My heart hurt for Luka and his situation, but I also needed to protect myself and my own feelings. “Okay. I won’t give up hope,” I lied.
Luka and I were doomed from the start. Like a train wreck in slow motion, we were bound to crash eventually.
He pushed off the windowsill and jumped back to the ground. He must have sensed through our bond that I wasn’t very serious, because he walked away with his head hung low.
I had never felt more like shit.
I wasn’t going to be able to go to sleep after that. Curse this undead man and his wooing ways!Don’t give up hope.He was asking me to wait for him. What, he was going to marry Cassara, become king, and then divorce her? Then, without heirs, another vampire with children would just take over. Morgana of all people!
Stupid man with his stupid promises.
* * *
The next dayI spent the entire time bingeing movies with Sage and Demi while Luka married Cassara. I could feel the moment he did it. A deep, soul crushing depression and resignation rushed through our bond and into me. Now it was done and they were spending their honeymoon together, and tomorrow he would fight Morgana to be king.
“Any news on the breeder farm?” I asked Demi, trying to keep my mind occupied.
Demi shook her head. “They are staying put for now, which is good news. My spies say the women seem to be going about their daily routine.”
Daily slave routine she meant. That was a comfort, sort of.
I couldn’t get the woman’s face out of my head, the one who looked like my mother, and the teenager with her.
“I’m going to head to bed,” I told the girls, and they all wished me a good night. I just wanted to sleep this funky mood away and prepare for what tomorrow would bring.
I took a long, hot shower before slipping into pj’s and then finally shuffled into my room. When I stepped inside, I noticed a note on the bed next to a little box.
Crossing the room, I opened the note and read it.
I gotthis made for you in Werewolf City. That’s why I was there with Sawyer the other day. Wait for me. I know you.
