Page 129 of Crimson Oath
“I do not know,” he said softly. “I tried to discover his intentions months ago, but I cannot say for certain. I know he has an idea that it might be time.”
“It should be Vano,” she blurted. “Not Radu.”
Oleg narrowed his eyes. “Did he threaten you again? I am more than happy to kill him.”
“That seems… excessive.” Yes, she was definitely keeping that to herself right now. “Actually, he’s been keeping his distance. Maybe I smell like you now.”
“You probably do.” He leaned over and sniffed her neck, smiling with satisfaction. “Yes, you do.”
Perhaps she could warn him away without mentioning Vano. “Do you think anyone knows you’re sneaking into the camp? I don’t want you hurt. And I don’t want to create problems for the Hazar.”
“Radu has probably guessed.” Oleg sat back and stretched one arm across the back of the sofa, playing with a piece of her hair. “But he also likely knows that I am only sneaking in to meet with my lover, so as long as you do not object to me, he will not say anything.”
That wasn’t what she was expecting. Perhaps Vano’s threats had even fewer teeth than she’d imagined. “He doesn’t care that you’ve broken the security of the kamvasa?”
“This deep in my territory, he cannot be surprised that I know they are here. We’re only a hundred kilometers from my castle right now.”
“Your castle,” she whispered. “I nearly forgot about the castle.”
“You will like it. Of course, you cannot live there because I am sure you will want your internet, and I have not allowed them to put internet into the castle.” Oleg pursed his lips. “But if you prefer it, I will allow internet to be built there.”
“You don’t build…” She shook her head. She wasn’t going to try to explain how broadband cables worked to a thousand-year-old vampire when that wasn’t really the issue. “Oleg, just because you’re… courting me doesn’t mean that I’m going to start working for you again.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He stood and started pacing. “It’s the only place for you. In less than two months, the kamvasa will be finished for the season. You will not be welcome back in the Fire King’s court.”
She watched him pace, and she felt his amnis changing, his energy shifting from waves to spikes. Hard and biting.
“I will find a place,” she said calmly. “I have a few avenues that I am investigating, though I would like to go visit my mother if?—”
“The fact that you are even asking permission is an insult to me!” Oleg snapped.
Tatyana kept very still. “I’m not trying to insult you.”
“Stop that.” He pointed at her. “You cannot still be afraid of me. This stubborn independence is?—”
“I amnotone of your people.” She stood and allowed her amnis to wake. She wasn’t a scared newborn anymore. She might not have a fraction of his power, but taking his blood had given her new insight.
She had power too.
“You aremine,” Oleg said deliberately. “Whether you admit it or not. Your blood knows the truth.”
Tatyana could feel his energy surging in her blood. She wanted to go to him. She wanted to curl into his body, rub her body against his, and drink him in. Her body was primed for him. Her fangs were long. She could walk to him, take his blood, bathe in their shared amnis, and forget everything they were fighting about.
“This is the problem,” she said quietly.
This had always been the problem.
He marched toward her and crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you talking about?”
He was so powerful, so potent, that he burned everything else away, and if she returned to his territory, submitted to his aegis, her soul would turn to ashes.
She would be nothing.
“Oleg,” she whispered. “Please don’t ruin this.”
“I am not ruining anything.” He lowered his voice. “You are the one running. Again you are running.”
“Because I am not one of your people,” she said again. “I’m not a minion to order around. I’m not your soldier. I am not your bookkeeper. And if I?—”
