Chapter 93 Searing Bonds
❀ Maeve ❀
My skin heated, my body immediately responding to his searing attention.
“And now that Blackbridge isn’t safe, more vampires are returning home. It’s like a keg about to blow.” Jessica continued.
I licked my lips, a flush spreading from being so keenly observed.
“Why don’t they spread out then? The mountains are vast.”
“Yes, but Veilmoor sits at its deepest elevation.” She turned to me then. “Vampires don’t really like heights.”
I nodded absently.
The faster the sun set, the more anxious I became. I’d seen he was wearing his protective cloak, and he could trace over to me without risk.
But he preferred to observe me from the dark like a damned wraith. And like the easy woman I was, I already yearned for him.
I clenched my fists, forcing my attention forward.
He’d treated me badly. Didn’t deserve my complacency. Why, then, was I anxious to speak with him, to feel his touch?
I blamed the mate bond. Fated to be together, but unfortunately, that supernatural bond did nothing to lessen his stubbornness or my own anger.
Jessica moved beside me.
“It’s nearly dusk, your grace. My absence will be noticed.”
“You don’t serve as a feeder anymore,” neither Nikolai nor I drank from her. “Why are you in a rush?”
In truth, I feared what her absence would mean.
An audience with Nikolai. I both dreaded and longed for him. The pull was undeniable.
Jessica rose with a resigned smile. “My duties have been upgraded to housekeeping and petty errands. I must say, it’s somewhat preferable to bloodletting.”
I smiled back. She’d finally admitted she hadn’t enjoyed her former duties.
Although vampire bites could be sensual and addicting, I couldn’t imagine what being subjected to it for years could do to a person.
She put everything back together, our food remnants, the dishes and utensils, the mat.
With a whistle, she called over her trusty mare that had been resting not far off, half in the sea, half on the sand.
The mare had collapsed after frollicking alongside us. Now she slowly cantered over, ready to be ridden back.
After Jessica arranged everything, she held the reins and turned to me expectantly.
“It’s ready. You can mount now.”
I shook my head. “No. You head back. I’ll take some more time here.”
She tilted her head, then looked around the shore.
Amusement lightened my heart.
The human was scouting the environment for the immortal’s safety.
She didn’t even know we’d had company for the last hour.
“Just go. I’ll be fine,” I urged, sitting back down on the sand, my legs in the rapidly chilling water.
Jessica nodded, then mounted her ride. As she rode away, she waved excitedly, though obviously spent from the day’s activities.
I waved back, missing her company even before she was out of sight.
Before I could blink, the air shimmered before me.
The sheer male brilliance that was Nikolai Dragomir appeared—
And he was shedding his clothes.
My heart slammed in my chest.
“What are you doing?” I demanded.
Fabric swept down his form as he released buckles and knots.
“Undressing…” he drawled in that deep voice.
I bit my tongue.
He was so tall that, from my seated position, I had to crane my neck to behold his face. Sharp jaw. Thick, white neck. Deliciously curling black hair.
And when the shirt came off, I looked away, a furious blush burning my cheeks.
His chuckle reverberated in the quietly darkening air, tickling my skin, and other places unmentioned.
Then I reminded myself I was not on good terms with him. He’d disrespected me by having no faith in my ability to learn and attain vampire powers, such as tracing.
He would train me and then willfully sabotage me, with no fear at all that I’d learn well enough to leave him in the dust.
My teeth gritted.
All that didn’t last, though, when he began walking into the sea. Naked.
The moon peeked out, lining the water with silvery sheets.
Moonlight and Nikolai’s skin was a scene to behold.
Pale and almost gleaming like polished ceramic. Shadowed in all the right places. His back was a work of art.
My claws curled with want.
I ached to sink them into the tight mounds of his ass. Those hauntingly sexy hollows at his sides.
Steps silent and predatory, he walked until the water covered his waist. Then his shoulders.
Then the surface swallowed the top of his curls like a mirror.
All was still.
I jumped to my feet, staring at the sea. Waves rose and washed at the sand.
Moments passed.
Worry clawed at my heart. He wouldn’t just do that if he couldn’t swim… right?
The image of an immortal drowning over and over again flashed in my mind.
“Nikolai!” I yelled. My voice echoed, unanswered.
I was mad at him, but I didn’t want him dead, even temporarily.
I forgot my fear, striding into the water until it covered my chest. Then I dunked my head and opened my eyes underwater.
The beauty of the ocean at dusk almost distracted me, silhouettes of creatures and seaweed dancing like a dream.
I submerged again and again, but discovered no sign of him.
Panic roared to life. Had the current carried him away?
Maybe I should get those guards—
Something horrifyingly powerful snagged me around the waist.
I kicked furiously, expelling bubbles in surprise.
Then a force pushed me up, and my head broke the surface.
I hadn’t taken enough of a breath when plush lips covered mine—