“Portals are dangerous,” he said at last. “And they’re never random. They open for reasons… or for people who aremeantto cross. You didn’t end up here by accident, Gwendolyn. If one brought you here… it’s because this world was calling you.” And it would mean that I never belonged in the mortal world.
Xavier brushed his fingers against my cheek, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.
“Didn’t I tell you when you first came here, that some people don’t recognize when they end up in the place they belong to…”
Before I could respond, Xavier just extended his hand out for me to take.
“I don’t open portals, nor would I if I could. You’re mine,” he said.
“But… we only met… yesterday?”
“And?” Xavier looked at me, amused. His hand was still extended out and after a while I hesitantly took it.
“Well, where I come from, people go on dates, and spend time together before they marry.”
“So, you had some dates with Alexander before yourengagement?”
“No. But my case was different. It was an arranged marriage.”
“Arranged in terms of force? I had no idea that humans were that far behind on love.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think the last arranged marriage was three-hundred-fifty years ago in Marabour. They aren’t well seen.” Somehow, this information surprised me.
“Why?”
“Because power thrives on love, and when you have an arranged marriage it’s most likely going to end very bad. You won’t ever get to the point of trying your best for your kingdom, if you’re not with the person you love.” He almost sounded hurt, and I wondered if it had to do with the relationship between his parents, knowing that neither were mated.
“Thursday evening, we will have some guests,” he suddenly stated.
“What guests?”
“My kind.”Vampires.
I knew he carried elven heritage inside him as well, but except for the shape of his ears, Xavier symbolizedeverythinga vampire could ever stand for: obsession, temptation, sensuality and death. Xavier embodied this forbidden desire women dreamt of while their parents talked about finding a good husband for them. Not thatgoodwas ever the ideal I strived for. I just wanted someone who accepted me and embraced the weirdness lingering in my mind.
Alexander used to be the type of man my mother wanted to see me with, but he treated me and everyone around him poorly, like he was some sort of royalty. Xavier on the other hand was a prince, and didn’t seem to care at all—as he barely behaved like one. And yet…he didn’t seem to want to change me.
“Why are they coming?” I asked, as I imagined what a roomfull of vampires looked like. I was slightly intimidated by the fact that I was indeed meeting vampires, a folk I’ve never believed to be real. Not that I believed any of this was real. I didn’t want Xavier to notice my insecurity or fear, but he must have sensed my unease as his fingers brushed against my face.
“It’s business. An annual thing, a gathering of the entire Council of Elders, some still highly connected to the kingdoms of Aetrum and Marabour. I always try to use this evening as an opportunity to discuss new territories, political matters, trade routes, and alliances. You don’t need to be nervous… If any of these men even try to glance your way, it won’t be without any consequences for them.”
Xavier took my hands in his, brushing over my knuckles until he pressed a kiss on each of them. “I’ll try my best to protect what’s mine, the behavior of a drunk vampire could always get out of control. Especially when they are in the presence of a haunting beauty like you.”
Haunting beauty.
I didn’t even realize that I was saying the two words quietly when I felt Xavier’s finger on my chin.
“Yes,” he said, lifting my face and making me look into his eyes.
“Captivating, memorable and striking. Your presence ignites an atmosphere around me that is both alluring and uneasy…”
“Uneasy?”
“It makes me long for you… it’s like you have woken something deep inside me… feelings I barely can control. That’s unsettling.”
Before I could ask him what he meant, his fingers slid through my hair, bending my head slightly backward. His nose brushed against the crook of my neck.
