More, so much more! "I have no idea what you'll demand." And yet she wasn't frightened of what he might do. Again, she felt no trepidation where he was concerned.
He gazed away, looking troubled. "I told you I'd never hurt you. If given leave, I'd do nothing but protect you."
He'd seen her reaction outside; she didn't want him to think he was responsible for that. Not out of concern for him. She simply didn't want the vampire to think he'd intimidated her. "Look, I just don't like to walk alone at night. I might have . . . issues-ones that I don't want to speak of."
Naturally, Trehan wouldn't rest until he was fully versed in these issues. "Your kingdom is secure. Most beings cower before your guardians. Not to mention that you're a sorceress. What issues could you possibly have?"
Her eyes narrowed with irritation. "We're not friends, Daciano. We're not confidantes. Why should I tell you anything about myself? You are a threat to me. You blackmailed me today."
"Unfortunate but necessary." He leaned forward on the edge of the divan, resting his elbows on his knees. "Now back to the subject at hand. You whispered 'Not again' when you thought I was about to hurt you last night."
She glanced away, clearly trying to remember what she'd said.
"Has another vampire touched you?"
"No!"
"A sorcerer then?" he quickly asked, setting away his goblet. "I read that Sorceri constantly battle for powers. Was yours stolen from you?"
"Another subject I don't want to talk about!"
Trehan sensed he was close to the truth, so he pressed on mercilessly. "I also read that your kind consider a root ability akin to one's soul?"
She peered hard into her cup. It shook in her hand. Her expression was a mix of sadness, frustration, and . . . shame.
This fragile creature had been violated like that? Someone had dared steal her power.
He was awash with pure rage-an unfamiliar emotion for him. Give me names, the scantest direction! Yet he leveled his tone when he asked, "What was your root power?"
In a voice just above a whisper, she said, "I was a . . . queen. The Queen of Hearts."
"What could you do?"
"I could make a being's heart stop. For all time. I could make an enemy's chest explode."
"Did you wield it to defend yourself?"
Staring past Trehan, she murmured, "I didn't have time. They dropped from . . . I-I never saw them."
"Them?" More than one? Barely managing to rein in his fury, he bit out, "Direct me to these thieves, and I will slaughter them."
She glanced up at him, clearly startled by his tone.
"No one steals from us, dragă mea."
Bettina felt raw. Trehan Daciano now knew a secret only a handful of others shared. How had he gotten under her skin like that? And why was he so adamant about avenging her? "There is no us, vampire. Again, I'm here under duress."
"Tell me who hurt you."
"You've known me for twenty-four hours. Yet you're willing to wade into danger, risking your life to avenge me?"
"Yes."
"I'm not a vampire. I can't wrap my mind around this spontaneous protectiveness."
"That part is not much different from a demon's mate."
Apparently, I don't get that either.