Page 26

Still here. Still a vampire prince.

Instead of the usual panic about deadlines and presentations, I found myself smiling. I stretched luxuriously in my prince bed—because really, what else could you call something with actual silk curtains?—watching the morning sun paint the city in shades of gold. The Whitlock Tower offered a view that would have cost millions in my old world—skyscrapers glittering like crystal formations, morning fog curling between them like dragon’s breath.

Yesterday had been spent exploring the tower itself, discovering its countless luxurious secrets. Today, though… maybe I could see the city properly? Sylvie and Hunter might be willing to play tour guide after school. I could already imagine Sylvie’s excitement at the prospect of showing me her favorite spots.

That’s when it hit me—a scent like warm spice and bergamot. Ryker. My fangs ached instantly, extending without my permission.

No, I told myself firmly.Bad vampire prince. No biting adopted brothers.

He must have been walking past my room. I should stay put. Should definitely not follow that intoxicating scent like some sort of… scent-tracking vampire prince.

My body, apparently, had other ideas.

Before I could stop myself, I was at my door, poking my head out into the hallway. The scent pulled at me like a physical thing, leading me down corridors. I should turn around. Should go back to my room and get a nice, safe bag of blood with one of those cute heart-patterned straws.

Instead, I ended up in the kitchen. And there was Ryker, looking unfairly attractive in casual clothes, leaning against the counter with a coffee mug in hand as he gazed out at the city. Morning light played across his features, highlighting cheekbones that belonged in an art gallery.

I swallowed hard. His pulse called to me like a siren song, each beat a temptation I wasn’t prepared to resist. The steady rhythm of his heart seemed to sync with my own, creating a harmony that made my fangs throb.

Nope. No. Absolutely not. I turned to flee?—

And suddenly I was floating.

Actually floating, like gravity had decided to take a coffee break along with Ryker. Before I could process what was happening, I was flying across the kitchen, straight toward him.

Ryker turned, eyes widening as I crashed into his chest. The impact sent me bouncing backward, but his arms shot out, catching me by the waist and pulling me close before I could fall.

“I’m so sorry!” I squeaked, horrifically aware of how his warm scent enveloped me, how strong his hands felt at my waist, how his pulse jumped beneath his skin. “I can’t seem to control this floating thing and gravity just sort of… took a vacation? Without asking? Which seems very unprofessional of it, really, and?—”

I was babbling. I was absolutely babbling while pressed against my unfairly attractive adopted brother’s chest, my fangs probably visible and my face probably resembling a tomato.

“You know,” Ryker said, amusement coloring his quiet voice, “most people just say ‘good morning.’”

My legs, acting entirely on their own, wrapped around his waist. My ankles crossed behind his back, effectively turning me into a vampire-prince pretzel. My body had apparently decided that basic dignity was optional this morning.

“Good morning?” I offered weakly, my face now inches from his. “I’d bow, but I seem to be experiencing technical difficulties with… everything. Seriously, who designed these vampire settings? There should be a user manual. Or at least a helpful tutorial.”

His chest rumbled with silent laughter, andoh—he was solid. Like ‘definitely spends hours training’ solid. My thighs tightened involuntarily around his waist, and I felt every muscle shift as he adjusted his hold.

“Technical difficulties?” One eyebrow rose perfectly, because apparently the Whitlocks had mastered that art.

“You know, floating malfunctions. Gravity glitches. The usual morning… things.” My face drifted closer to his neck with each word, drawn by the steady pulse beneath his skin. “Reminds me of this manga I was reading—My Life as a Floating Vampire Omega. Though he had way better control than I do. And probably didn’t assault his brother with surprise hugs.”

The rich aroma of his coffee caught my attention, mingling temptingly with his scent. “That smells amazing,” I murmured, even as my brain screamedback away from his neck!In response, my body only pressed closer.

“Would you like some?” His voice was gentle, even as his pulse jumped beneath my gaze. “I can make you a blood-infused version.”

“That sounds perfect,” I managed, trying very hard not to focus on how my entire body seemed to mold against his. “I’ll just… unwrap myself… any second now…”

My arms rebelliously tightened around his shoulders.

“Take your time,” he said with that quiet amusement again. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s very patient of you,” I informed his neck, which I was definitely not staring at even as I somehow moved even closer. “Very noble. Very… brother-like. Which you are. My brother. Who I should not be clinging to like a caffeinated octopus. Or thinking about how good you smell. Which I’m not. Thinking about, I mean. At all.”

Someone please stop me from talking, I silently begged any deity who might be listening. But apparently, the supernatural powers that be had a sense of humor, because I just kept going.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled against his collar. “I’m babbling. I never used to babble. Well, the old Luca didn’t. I mean, I didn’t. Though technically I am him, just more… verbose? Is that the word? See? Still babbling. Someone should install a mute button?—”