Page 75 of The Depraved Prince
“How do you know that?” I step back, but he pulls me back into him again. His scent hits my nostrils, and I restrain myself from burying in his arms. Everything about him is so intoxicating.
“I’ve been watching you for months after I rescued you in the club.”
“Can vampires get humans pregnant?” I palm my belly. The thought of carrying Hayden’s child runs through my mind.
“Yes.” He puts out his cigarette and leans on the balcony railing. My eyes widen. I need to get my shot again or make the man wear condoms if we’re going to continue to do this.
“Would it be such a bad thing if you carry my child? I do need an heir one day.” He puts his calloused, cold palm on my hand as he gazes at my belly like he’s imagining my nine months pregnant bump.
I stiffen and look down at our conjoined hands.
“And there’s no way in hell I’m having a child with anyone else now that I’ve fallen in love with you, and you are mine,” he says.
“Hayden…” I start but don’t finish. I don’t know what to say. He notices my hesitation and backs off.
“What other questions do you have, baby?” He turns around and crosses his big arms over his chest. He stares at his boots briefly before looking at me like he’s mesmerized. Like a man obsessed.
“How do humans become vampires? If biting me is not enough, how does one become like you?
His face falls, and he’s the most serious I’ve ever seen him.
“Do you want to be one? Because that can be arranged. Just say the word, and I’ll turn you. We can be together for eternity. Have you changed your mind?” He takes a step toward me with hope written all over his body language. I swallow nervously and shake my head.
“I haven’t changed my mind, Hayden.”
He sighs and straightens his back in disappointment. His bones pop as he stretches.
“The powers are inevitable because of your blood. I don’t care about that…all I care about is having you around for eternity.”
“What happens to a Valkyrie when they change?”
“A Valkyrie has never become like us before. So I don’t have an answer for you.”
He turns around and looks at the full moon behind us.
I’m about to ask why, but he interrupts my question.
“In order to turn, you have to consent. It’s kind of like the warning: never invite vampires into your home. Well, never invite a vampire to bite you. You have to invite me to turn you. More specifically, recite the words ‘Volo unum esse cum morte’ three times.”
I quirk a brow when he speaks to me in a language I don’t recognize.
“It’s Latin, little Bambi. It means ‘I want to be one with death.’”
I shiver.
“You have to say those words before I bite you or in the act. As soon as you finish, your heart will stop beating, and you will be immortal.”
“Were you born a vampire?”
“No…my mother had me when she was still a human. I turned when I was around thirty.”
“I thought you guys couldn’t kill Valkyrie’s? Our relationship is forbidden in your world. It is the law, is it not?” I point out, and he scoffs.
“Nothing, and no one, will forbid me from having you. I will be king and I wouldn’t kill you. I would turn you…if you consent. I want to keep you with me.” His tone tweaks with madness.
“Why are your eyes red and the southern vampire’s blue?”
“Every vampire’s eyes are the color of their maker. Northern vampires are red. Southern’s are blue. East is green, and west is magenta. Whatever color your eyes are is the king you serve.”
