“Domm—Commander Thorne didn’t divulge too many details.”
“That surprises me. He usually loves to ramble, especially for beautiful women.” His layered green irises surveyed my reaction to the compliment.
A maid set on a marriage match might have giggled and swooned, but I just looked down at my glass and tried to hide a small smirk.
The carriage groaned, filling our short stint of tense silence.
“I was informed your journey was interrupted.” The regent lured me back into conversation.
I nodded. “More than once.” Rhazien folded his hands in his lap, assessing my words.
“The wilds can be unpredictable, unfortunately. I’m sorry I couldn’t ride out to meet you sooner. My hope is that the commander was an exemplary representative and respectable escort.”
Besides threatening my family, manipulating me to choose the Hive, lying about being a Traveler, and helping himself to a taste-test of blood from my arm, yes. I suppose, for a self-proclaimed monster, he had been respectable.
“He was.” I did as Dommik did. Only answered the exact question I was asked.
“I won’t pry now, as I imagine you’re quite exhausted from the events of the last few days. But we’ll need a record of what transpired while you were on the road.”
It was a reasonable request. I sipped while he spoke, savoring the balance of bite and berry finish.
“I’m happy to oblige.” My weight settled further into the cushioned seat.
“Thank you.” Rhazien leaned forward, placing his free hand on mine. “And, I want you to know, the vampire who defied orders will be dealt with.”
I gripped the seat beneath his touch. Throughout my life, there had been plenty of times I’d felt powerless, but that moment in the abandoned dining room with the immortal predator and his dimwitted accomplice, holding me down and tasting me like I was a delicacy, was the most terrifying and degrading experience. I had never known fear like that and the memory threatened to shatter my confident façade. No, I wanted to shove that memory deep, deep down. Words refused to take shape on my tongue, so I simply nodded in silent thanks and finished my wine.
Rhazien moved slowly, gently removing the glass from my grip. Taking both of my hands in his, he peered deeply into my eyes. “I hope you can accept my sincerest apologies for the inexcusable behavior you’ve witnessed these last few days. You are...” he breathed heavily, “very special…and I hope it brings you comfort to know that, as mine, you will be treated with nothing but the highest respect.”
His thumbs caressed the tops of mine and I imagined the other vampires sensing or seeing the traces his touch left on my skin.
What did I look like to him now? What colors stained my skin in his immortal gaze? Shades of green like his eyes maybe…
There it was again. That sense of calm. The same inkling of safety. Maybe a younger version of me would trust it, but I’ve lived through too much and powerful men have made enough false promises to know better.
I cleared my throat and lifted my gaze away from the slow, soothing touch to his mossy eyes. “While I accept and appreciate your apology, I hope you’ll pardon my lack of confidence.” Against my will, my eyes welled.
“I understand completely. I know I’ll have to earn your trust.” He leaned forward and wiped the tear from my cheek, just as Dommik had the night before, and I leaned into the touch, imagining his new traces there.
“It will take more than words and my favorite wine,” I jested.
He chuckled and released my face, and I found myself missing the closeness. “I expected as much. And I have a few additional surprises for you in your quarters.”
Of course. Even vampiric royalty were beholden to the court currency of gifts. And what couldn’t he afford? Who knew what kind of wealth heamassed during his reign. In my experience, lavish gifts were typically picked out by servants anyway, losing all credibility of thoughtfulness. Regardless, I couldn’t deny my curiosity.
How much had he learned about me? What did he think he knew?
My heart leapt at the thought and I hated myself for it. What was this? Wanted or not, warmth blossomed in my chest. The sensation was present…and undeniable, like his essence was wrapping itself into my good graces so he could attack and feed. I clenched my jaw at the thought.
He poured another generous goblet of wine amidst the natural turbulence of the horse-drawn carriage. It had been a while since I’d indulged, but I was surprised the familiar buzz settled into my limbs so quickly. I needed to keep my wits about me when we entered the Hive.
I cleared my throat. “You never elaborated.”
“Hmm?”
“On your intentions of courtship.” Was it the wine making my vision slightly out of focus?
“Reyva…may I call you Reyva?”
