and stepped inside. There was no light at all in this room. Heavy black velvet draperies covered the windows. Crossing the floor, she drew back the curtains, then turned and looked around. The room was empty.
Puzzled, she let the draperies fall back into place. Why had Rayven forbidden her to come here? What possible reason could he have for not wanting her to see rooms filled with old furniture, or this empty tower?
From out of nowhere came the chilling sensation that she was not alone. Unreasoning panic rose up within her, driving her out of the room.
She ran down the hall, down the stairs, a silent sob rising in her throat as images of darkness and death swirled through her mind.
She ran blindly through the castle until she reached her chamber. Inside, she locked the door, flung the windows wide. Sitting on the bed, she clutched a pillow to her chest and stared at the sunlight pouring through the window, hoping it would dispel the darkness that seemed to enfold her like thick black smoke, permeating her very soul. And in the center of that darkness, she sensed a loneliness so deep it broke her heart.
Rayven sat across the table from Rhianna, idly swirling the liquid in his goblet, watching the crystal catch the candlelight. "We're going to the opera next week. I want you to go out and buy something suitable to wear."
"My lord, surely I have no need of more gowns."
"Do it to please me. Something blue, to match your eyes, I think."
"Very well, my lord, if it will please you."
"So, what did you do today?"
Rhianna swallowed hard, her gaze sliding away from his. "Today, my lord?"
"Yes, today."
"I... Bevins brought me a new piece of music."
"Will you play it for me?"
"If you wish, though I've not yet mastered it."
"You are a most biddable creature, sweet Rhianna."
"My lord?" She looked at him askance, not knowing if he was praising her or complaining.
Rayven considered her over the rim of his glass. He had never kept a woman who was so agreeable, one who asked for nothing, who seemed to take genuine pleasure in his company. It stroked his male vanity to think she cared for him, even a little. The others had done his bidding, but he had been ever aware of the fear in their eyes, the lust for what his wealth could buy. He had given them whatever they asked for, had smothered them in gifts - jewels, furs, costly raiment - deeming it a small price to pay for what he took.
He tilted his head to one side, regarding her through half-lowered lids. He had sensed her presence in the tower, had smelled the lingering fragrance of her perfume, her very essence, when he woke that evening. He had never kept a woman who dared defy him. For that act of courage, he would buy her a sapphire necklace to match her new gown.
"What else did you do today?" he asked silkily.
Fear rose up in her throat. He knows, she thought frantically. He knows what I've done, and now he'll punish me.
"You've been here some time now," he remarked in that same deceptively mild voice.
"Yes."
"I trust you've gone exploring."
"You said I might have the run of the castle, my lord," she replied, a definite quaver in her voice.
"So I did. Save for the east tower."
Rhianna nodded, unable to speak past the fear coagulating in her throat.
"You remember my warning?"
She nodded, then crossed her arms lest he see her trembling.
"See that you do not disregard my wishes again."
"Yes, my lord."
He smiled at her over the rim of his goblet as he drained the glass. Rising, he offered her his hand.
"Come," he said. "I wish you to play for me."
"Thank you, my lord."
His brow lifted in a gesture she had come to recognize as mild amusement. "For what, my sweet Rhianna?"
"For not being angry with me. For being so kind."
"Kind?" He laughed softly, the rich full sound filling her with sensual pleasure. "Of a truth, no one has ever called me that before."
"Indeed, my lord?"
"Indeed, my sweet."
"Then I shall do so often, if it would please you."
"You please me," he replied. And so saying, he lowered his head and covered her mouth with his, kissing her with an intensity that drained the strength from her limbs even as it seemed to draw all the air from her lungs.
She stared up at him, feeling strangely lightheaded, when he drew his lips from hers.