Page 33 of Branded in Love
“It’s about me,” she says knowingly.
I barely hold her stare for a few seconds, then I nod.
She rushes to me. “Gavriil, you don’t have to listen to him,” Luciana crouches until our eyes level, cradling my face between her soft hands. “One minute, Vlad is out of your life, and the next he’s back, telling you what to do?”
My bear bristles. “I take orders from no one,” I snap.
“Good. Then prove it!” she challenges. “Is this about claiming me? Well, then do it!”
“I can’t…” I mumble, looking away from her sweet hazel eyes.
“Why not, Gavriil?” she demands. “Why won’t you brand me?”
I rise from the seat. She straightens with me. “Do you want me to?” I say, defiant. “Do you want to be dragged into a world of murder and constant wariness? Is that what you want?” I’m almost hissing. “Please understand, if I claim you, your life will never be the same as it will be chained to mine forever.” I pause to catch my racing breath. “An entire coven of vampires is after our heads… and this is but a glimpse of what would follow.”
I think of Bella. I think of Grisha taking advantage of her heart, and me, incapable of shielding her from his viciousness. But I can protect Luciana. I can push her away from my ruthless world.
Her eyes shudder in dismay. “That is not…” she utters, but I cut her off.
“Do you even realize what becoming my mate would entail?” I say, narrowing my eyes. “I am the Ursa King.Youare a human. Never in a thousand years has an Ursa King mated with a human… A shifter, yes. A witch, most assuredly. That’s the kind of match expected from me.”
Luciana’s face loses all color. Her eyes glimmer with forthcoming tears. “So, what you’re really saying is,” she breathes, “that you do not care for me.”
“I do…” I manage.
“Just not enough to makethatcommitment...” Her voice drifts into a hushed whisper.
My heart breaks in silence. “That is not what I’m saying,” I say, stepping closer.
She recoils from me instantly. “No, why would you?” she adds, hugging her arms. “I mean, we’ve only just met... I’d rather know now how you feel.” She swallows hard.
“Luciana, it’s not that simple—” I reach to hold her arm, but she pulls her shoulder away.
“It is.” She blinks, and a tear rolls down her cheek. “I’ve heard enough.” She bridles and turns away.
“Luciana…” I go after her, but she dashes down the hall. Her slighting me like this spurs my bear into rabid fury. How dare she leave in the middle of an argument?
“Luciana!” I call. She does not look back. By the time I reach the vestibule, she’s already on the stairway.
“Do not walk away from me!” I growl.
She leans on the balustrade, glaring down at me with bloodshot eyes. “You can’t order me around,Your Majesty,” she says, spitting my title like the foulest words.“I’m not one of your shifter subjects!”
“Clearly!” I retort, without moving an inch. My voice echoes in the hall. “If you were, you’d know better than to cross me!” I stop, chest heaving, heart racing.Fuck.I should not have said that. But I certainly cannot cower before her now.
Luciana’s face slackens. “Are you threatening me?” she asks, shocked.
“People bend to my will where I come from,” I mumble, frustration streaming through my veins. “Why can’t you simply do as I ask?”
With widened eyes, I see her march down the remaining steps that lead back to the hall. And she doesn’t stop until she stands before me. “Listen to me, Gavriil,” she begins in the lowest of voices. “We are going to that gala. I’m getting rid of those vampires and rescuing Marco. And once that’s dealt with… I never want to see you again.”
She shatters me with her tongue. I can’t back down. I won’t. “A hard task when you live across the street,” I tell her, impassive as I hold her stare.
“Then I’ll move!” she mutters, tears rimming her hazel eyes.
“Don’t trouble yourself,” I reply in a dispassionate tone. “The minute this is over with, I’m going back to Russia.”
“Good!” She marches upstairs.
