She reminded herself that he was a stone-cold killer, clearly a manipulator. He was so much older, with lifetimes more experience than she had. "You told me you wouldn't return for me. You seemed perfectly okay with the idea of never seeing me again. Now this? I want to know what changed."
"Me. For centuries, I lived a life of service, never desiring anything for myself. And now I do desire." He eased closer to her. "Bettina, I desire beyond reason."
His scent and heat permeated her senses. Did all vampires smell this mouthwatering? Maybe as a predatory tool to lure quarry like her? It was working.
Again she felt weak and breathless, the flash-fever returned. It seemed like her body was so busy struggling to regain equilibrium that her thought processes suffered. "I-I have a hard time believing you'd leave your home, a home you treasure."
At her ear, he rasped, "To treasure you."
He could be smooth, she'd give him that. But then she remembered that he planned to kill Caspion.
Chapter 20
She drew her head back. "Why? You know nothing about me. Your blooding makes you attracted to me. Your desire is actually just a quirk of fate."
"Does the blooding affect me? Yes. I need to protect you, to claim you, to"-he stopped himself-"to . . . possess you in every way."
What exactly did that mean? What had he been about to say?
"But you also fascinate me. Your creations intrigue me."
"You're a flatterer."
"Never. A teller of truths."
"You can tell me all the truths you like, vampire, but I'm still not going to kiss you. Not tonight. Not ever."
"I see. Very well, Bettina."
Funny. She'd thought he would put up more of a fight-
Suddenly his arm wrapped around her, mist filling her vision. One of his fingers pressed over her lips.
A split second later, another vampire traced into the tent, a younger squire who looked nervous, twitchy-and fearful of Daciano.
Ah, gods, she was seen!
But the squire quickly set about his duties, paying no attention to her.
She squeezed her eyes shut as if that would hide her from his gaze.
After a few moments, he asked, "Anything else . . . my lord?" His voice broke midsentence.
She peeked open her eyes. The young vampire hadn't even glanced at her. Was she hidden in Daciano's mist? Was that even possible?
"That will be all," Daciano said. "Do not return until gloaming tomorrow."
When the squire disappeared, Bettina said, "He couldn't see me?"
"You're my Bride. I can hide you."
"That was too close!" She shoved against Daciano's chest, but he didn't release her. "This is such a bad idea-wait a second. Why did that squire ready your bath?"
"You told me earlier tonight that you expected to be treated like a lady."
"Yes, so?"
His eyes bored into hers. "A lady tends to her lord's bath."