"I want you as my wife, my queen. But I want you freely given." He began advancing on her with the same dark look of hunger that he'd had in the folly. I can see where I would kill to be. . . .
With a swallow, she started retreating.
"I gave up something very valuable for the chance to convince you that you are mine."
"I-I can't be with you. Not like this."
He stalked her around the bed. "The first time I was in this bed with you, I believed I was about to make love to you. The last time we were together here, you dreamed of me taking you. Why would you deny us?"
Trehan's eyes narrowed with realization. "It's because of him, isn't it?" Earlier, instead of cheering for Trehan after his match, Bettina had slipped her gaze up to Caspion, her wide eyes full of sadness.
Then she'd hastened away from the ring without a word, without any acknowledgment.
Trehan had barely registered his victory, or even his injuries-until they'd continued to bleed. He'd ordered his squire to bandage his chest, then forced himself to wait for enough regeneration to stem the blood loss.
Trehan had felt no pain, the need to mate overwhelming him. Now that he could claim her without repercussions, nothing would stand in his way.
Nothing. Least of all Caspion the Tracker.
"Be careful, female. One day I will reach my limit. One day you will convince me you want him above all others." After last night, Trehan had thought they'd come to an understanding.
Maybe he'd only imagined how agonized she'd been during his battle, wanting something so badly he'd conjured it in his own mind. Would he never win her?
Perhaps not her affections-but after tonight's victory, she was his by right. I've as good as won this tournament.
"It isn't like that," Bettina said. "I've told you why I feel this way. I can't make love to the male who will murder my best friend."
Best friend? Could it possibly be . . . ?
"I barely made it through tonight," she said, her voice despairing. "I can't take another round of this!" She rubbed her forehead, sending her mask askew, and with it, his traitorous heart.
Damn it! Exhaling a breath, he asked, "What if I told you there was a way for both Caspion and me to survive tomorrow?"
She stopped backing away. "How? Is it possible?"
"Would you yield to me tonight?"
She rushed up to him. "Tell me how!"
"I've found an escape clause in the rules. But I must explain it later-my need is great, and my control is slipping. Do you trust me?"
"Can you vow to me that you'll both live?"
"I vow it."
"You and Cas will both survive?"
"Yes. Now do you yield-"
She leapt into his arms, wrapping her arms around him, kissing his face. Her clasped hands knocked against his injured neck, her br**sts against his bandaged chest; yet he felt nothing but pleasure.
For the first time since this nightmarish tournament had begun, Bettina felt hope.
Daciano had told her that both he and Caspion would survive. He never lied. "I believe you, vampire. I trust you."
When he traced her to the bed, she laughed against his lips.
His curled in turn. "My merry sorceress. All will be well." He removed her mask, slipping it into his pocket.