And what would this crowd sound like if Trehan was the one who slew him? Sentiment so strong could be turned around, but only by a far more charismatic leader than Trehan.
And what if I can't turn her sentiment from the demon? He had many advantages over Caspion: age, strength, wisdom. Bettina valued none of these things.
Caspion's words played in his mind. She might be your Bride, but she'll never be your wife. And perhaps, deep down, a small part of Trehan feared the demon might be right.
Yet there's one thing I can do for her. One thing to win her. . . .
When Caspion's challenger, the remaining Cerunno, slithered into the ring, Bettina's nervousness redoubled.
Trehan could hear her heart racing for that demon. And I envy him every beat.
Chapter 26
As Raum announced Cas's competitor, Bettina turned up her glass. Now she was drunk and disgusted with herself.
She was supposed to be here supporting Cas. Instead, she'd been letting a vampire give her a mind-scrambling orgasm.
And just as memorable as the experience? How Daciano had looked afterward. His shoulders had been back, his lips curving. His tousled black hair had tumbled over his forehead.
His onyx eyes had been devilish.
If she'd thought that vision of him stepping from the tub had been sexy, that look . . . those eyes . . .
Oh, how had this night gotten so out of hand? In close proximity were the male she hoped to marry and the first male to give her an orgasm. If only they were one and the same!
She motioned for another refill.
"You feel guilt?" the vampire asked under his breath.
"Of course I feel disloyal to Caspion now."
He didn't like that answer at all. Between clenched teeth, he said, "Remember that if it weren't for his selfishness and shortsightedness, you wouldn't be in this position. He brought me to your kingdom." Then, seeming to rein in his temper, he added, "You don't have to watch this. Come away with me."
"You can't expect me to leave?"
"Yes. I can. You are mine, Bettina. We are fated. We've shared blood between us, pleasure between us. You've come against my palm and I in yours."
She grew flustered yet again. She couldn't deny the truth of his words, but that didn't matter right now. "If you think I could be anywhere but here at this moment, then you don't know me at all."
Raum swerved back to the table, then gave the signal.
The horn sounded. Caspion and the Cerunno faced off.
Caspion's horns had straightened with hostility, his sigh-worthy countenance now fierce.
But the Cerunno was so powerful, its muscles rippling beneath its scales.
"You worry for naught," Daciano told her. "Unfortunately, your demon will win this match. Even more unfortunate, he'll advance far in this tournament."
"How can you be so certain?"
"He's strong for his age and will get stronger with each kill. He's not without technical skill."
Never taking her eyes off the ring, she said, "But not on par with yours."
"No. Not with mine."
"And you'll use all that skill to kill him."