I swallowed hard at his words and his hypnotic gaze, but I didnt feel as euphoric as I had imagined I would.
Maybe because he was a vampire, and I didnt like that arrogant, snobbish race at all.
"Mia, are you sure this man is our mate?" "It seems like he is." What do you mean seems, Mia? Wake up!" "Yes, yes, I can feel the bonds chemistry, but...
I dont know.
I dont want him to touch me.
Its only connected to your vampire side." You're distracted.
Its rude to talk to your inner wolf while Im asking you something.
Can you hear her? I asked, feeling a flicker of hope.
He let go of my chin and straightened up.
How could I hear your animal side? We havent even performed any ceremony, he replied in a slightly mocking tone, walking toward a nearby table.
He did hear her, I thought, and once again, my mind drifted to that man in the castle.
Was he real? We have a lot to talk about, you and I.
Its unexpected that my mate is a hybrid.
Honestly, its not very pleasant for me, he said, approaching again.
My eyes locked onto the dagger now in his hand.
Was he going to kill me? ---- You dont have to end my life to break the bond.
You can just reject me.
In fact, I dont like this bond either.
Ikicked my feet and tried to stand, but he moved at an incredible speed, pressing the tip of the dagger to my neck, tracing it softly along my skin.
Who said we cant both benefit from this bond? His low voice poured into my ear, and I didnt dare take a deep breath.
Tell me what you need from me, and 1ll tell you what I need from you.
I stood there, stunned.
Did I need something from him? Of course, something crucialsomething life or death.
Even though I resisted the idea of having a vampire as my mate and wanted to fight it, the Goddess had screwed me over with this bond.
And honestly, I didnt want to diewho would, when the solution was right in front of them? But just the thought of him marking my neck made my stomach turn.
Why, if he was my mate? Then again...
if it were another vampire...
T need your mark to stabilize my vampire side.
Once Im healed, we can dissolve the bond.
Thats all I ask.
What do you want from me? JT want you to tell me what trick you used to get into the castle.
How did you manage to pass through the forbidden lands? He seemed very interested.
Forbidden lands? I just climbed over that gate.
Cant you? Dont play dumb, hybrid! I mean...
he recomposed himself from his sudden outburst.
Whats your name? Celine, I replied, annoyed and frustratedthis wasnt getting us anywhere.
---- Look, I honestly dont know what you re talking about.
I just passed through the gate, thats it...
But then I remembered he had told me only Icould enter.
you didnt hear a mans voice? A vampire? Whats your connection to Prince Zarek? he asked, visibly anxious.
The mention of that name stirred something deep inside me, but it faded quickly.
Yes, I...
lsawa man.
He told me he could let me into the palace.
Who is he? Is his name Zarek? And then [heard the story of that vampire imprisoned in the dungeons, and suddenly, everything made sense.
He had been locked up there by one of the first Selenias, punished for his crimes.
Now that none of them ruled and no one controlled the castle, he was merely looking for a foolish, unsuspecting girl to seduce and use to set him free.
Apang of disappointment throbbed in my chest, a dull ache that soon faded in the storm of my thoughts.
Tf Zarek is one of your kind, wouldnt it be in your best interest to see him freed? I raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced.
It was understandable that he wanted to eliminate the competitionhe was aiming to be the next monarch.
T see you re getting the point.
Zarek isnt just powerful; hes worse than Kael, the previous kingbloodthirsty and ruthless, even with his own kind.
No one wants that man to be set free.
So what if I trick him? Make him believe I want to free him so he takes down the barriers, and then I let you into the castle? I'll search for the chamber where the spell of the contract over the Dark Realm is kept, and I'll be the new master of the throne.
Or better yet, I'll finish off that bastard Zarek and rid us of this damn curse once and for all his eyes blazed with murderous intent.
The very thought of it made my whole body rebel, but all I wanted was to survive.
I needed this man's bite to free myself from the defect of my mixed bloodline.
He wasnt going to be king eitherGabrielle would never allow it.
SoI calculated my next moves, purely for my own benefit.
So, do we have a deal, dear mate? We have a deal, I replied after a few seconds, nodding.
He lifted the dagger and moved it behind my back, cutting through the bindings and setting me free.
It seemed that, in the end, I wouldnt be able to fulfill my task of finding Beof.
I couldnt separate myself now from the only cure to my condition.
Iremembered Valeria's engraving and waited until I was alone to try to reach out to themQuinn must be worried.
sek WARNING (The following fragment contains romantic interactions between two male characters.
If its not to your liking, please do not read.) DANTE (THE VAMPIRE LEADER) How did it go with that woman? Did she tell you how she managed to enter the castle? Claus asked me, stepping out of the tub behind the screen, wearing only a towel around his waist.
---- His dark hair dripped onto his pale skin, tracing down to his bare torso.
Better than expected.
She says shes my mate, I said, unable to hold back a sarcastic smile as I poured some wine from the liquor cabinet into acrystal glass.
What kind of nonsense is that? he inquired, stepping closer to snatch the glass from my hand and taking a slow sip.
My eyes couldnt leave his lips, now stained red by the drink, which only accentuated his mocking expression.
Tm sure this has something to do with that old warlock, Merkall.
Very clever.
I even felt something pulling me toward that woman, calling me.
She just doesnt realize Im going to turn her own trap against her, I said, taking back the glass and grabbing him by the waist, pulling him against my taller frame.
I took the last sip and tossed the glass onto the table, lowering my mouth to suck on his cold lips, exchanging the drink as our tongues intertwined.
We moved step by step toward the bed, never breaking the connection, feeling his hardness grow against mine as I caressed his strong back, sliding my hands down to the towel I was about to remove.
T think youve found a gem, Claus.
She seems to be Zareks true mate.
Do you know what that means? That if we have his mate as a hostage, weve got that Ancient bastard by the balls.
you have no idea how much your villainous streak turns me on, I whispered, smirking as I pushed him onto the bed.
The towel slipped away, revealing Clauss sexy, toned body, sprawled on my sheets, waiting just for me.
---- Ipounced on him, excited and burning, ready for a night of lust with my true mate.
sek VALERIA J dont know whats happening, but I cant reach Celine through my spell, I said, frowning at everyone in the room, concern weighing heavy in my voice.