Page 9 of Blood Vows
“Little good it would have done you. But feel free to take the largest one here, if it helps you sleep better at night.” He mocked.
“Or I could just lock my door,” I pointed out.
“Yes, and little good it would do you if I wanted to get inside,” he said smoothly. And well, he had a point, one that sent a cold shiver down my spine.
“For the record,” I said, forcing lightness into my tone,
“The only reason I came down here was for water and painkillers.” I then held both up as proof of my victory.
“Mission accomplished.”
“I think you’ll find I had a hand in that,” he replied, his lips twitching into something dangerously close to a smirk.
“Regrettably, yes,” I said, and that smirk grew just enough to make my heart stutter. For the briefest moment, I could swear he was enjoying this. This strange, fragile banter that had slipped between us like a truce neither of us had agreed to.
“Then I suggest you take them,” he said, his tone cooling again.
“And be back off to bed.”
“Very well,” I said, half mocking.
“But just so you know, fumbling around in the dark? Not so much fun. So, if you hear a big bang, a thud, a groan, andthen silence, it’s just me falling down your massive staircase and cracking my head open. Oh, and FYI, we humans can make quite a mess, very squishy. I’d hate to ruin your fancy floors or priceless heirlooms.” I teased and yep, it was another mission accomplished as he not only grinned, but he also made an amused sound. One that was almost a laugh, deep and involuntary. Although then he scowled as if annoyed with himself for finding me amusing.
His face hardened again, the humor vanishing as quickly as it had come. He slammed the cupboard door shut and straightened to his full, towering height.
“Then I suppose, I’d better put my prisoner back to bed,” he said, extending an arm toward the door as a hint to get my ass moving. I walked past him, close enough to feel the brush of air from his movement, and he leaned down slightly.
“For I would hate for you to make a mess on my expensive floors.”He hummed in a knowing tone, but instead of being intimidated, I straightened my back and smirked back up at him.
“Well, we do tend to stain.” Then I winked at him, making him look shocked for a moment before he chuckled. That deep, rumbling sound that resonated somewhere in his large chest. It was warm and rich, and for the first time since meeting him, I felt something unexpected…a connection.
He led me back toward my room, our footsteps the only sound in the vast corridor. And like before, every so often, when I drifted too close to the wall, his hand would reach out for me. His fingers curling gently around my hip to guide me back to the centre of the hall. The touch was firm and slightly possessive. Also protective in a way that unsettled me far more than his earlier cruelty.
“You know,” I said softly, glancing at the unlit sconces,
“I hear electricity is a wonderful thing. Modern marvel and all that. Comes in handy when it’s dark.” I teased, knowing theplace had electricity, which was why I wondered what the need was for candles as well.
“Why would I do that, when it would give you an advantage if you tried to escape?” he replied, and I let out a small laugh.
“Ah, well, lucky for you, I am not stupid and fully realize that I’m in a foreign country. And seeing as we have already established that I have never been anywhere in my life, I don’t think I would get far out there on my own. Hell, I would most likely get lost in this big house of yours. Which means if I ever did find my way out, I’m pretty sure I’d end up eaten by wolves.” He laughed then, an honest, startled sound that caught me off guard.
“What?” I asked, smiling despite myself.
“Nothing,” he said, still faintly amused.
“Nothing at all.” I wanted to press, but something about him warned me not to. His amusement faded, replaced by that cool, unreadable calm. Soon, we reached my door, one he opened for me, now stepping close enough that I had to tilt my head back just to keep his gaze.
“Thank you for the water. And the painkillers.” I said quietly.
“Tell me something,” he said, his voice lowering as he studied me.
“Are you always this grateful to your captors?”
“What can I say?” I shrugged lightly.
“I’m polite.”
“I don’t think that’s it,” he murmured.
