Page 6

Underneath the tree, his sparks of red hair were dull, but not less brilliant. His face was weathered, a ruggedly handsome look rather than a baby, or pretty boy face. His deep rumble of a voice massaged my nerves the more he spoke.

He moved closer and closer, pushing my back against the tree. “Do you have any idea how wonderful you smell?” he asked.

He inhaled, dragging his nose up my throat until my legs were like putty. My mouth started to tingle. The area where my fangs sharpened neared the point of pain at his touch.

My heart ricocheted around in my chest as if it was begging to break free. Because I’d known what I wanted from a young age, I’d never taken anything further with another vampire. When someone sank their fangs into you, they claimed you. I couldn’t let that happen. Now though, it wasn’t wrong to want this with Calen. He was my mate. I only needed to choose the others to make it official.

I shivered, and Calen immediately backed away. “I’m so sorry, my lady. I don’t know what came over me.”

I fell back against the tree, limp. I stared at him, my own eyes hooded. “Don’t apologize, Calen. I feel the same way.”

His jaw locked tight as he stood up straighter. The sinewy muscles in his neck protruded like thick vines. “There will be time.”

There was time, but I wouldn’t lie and say I wasn’t eager. While the other guards-in-training at The Fort experimented and had boyfriends and girlfriends, I’d stayed out of it. I told myself it was because I was a Princess and held to a higher standard, but I didn’t think those were always my thoughts. It was others’ projections on me. Only one guy had ever asked me out when we were at The Fort and I’d turned him down because I knew what he wanted, and it wasn’t me. Well, it was me, but it wasn’t me for me, it was my position, my power, my mystery. I had urges like any other my age and finally, I could act on them.

“Calen…” I started. “Do you have experience?”

His gaze narrowed in confusion.

I tried again. “With women? Do you have experience with them?”

My heart thudded in my ears as I waited for his response. What Calen had with anyone before me was none of my concern, but I also didn’t want to be the only one who was inexperienced.

“Some,” he said. “I’ve never sunk my fangs into one, but I’ve had lovers. I’m a fair bit older than you, Izzy, so it’s hardly surprising. As far as drinking from them, I never took it that far and would never unless they were to be my wife, my mate for life.”

He reached out and placed a stray hair around my ear. “What about you, Princess?”

I shook my head. “Just kissing, and very few with that, too.”

His look softened. “I understand that. You had a different upbringing than the rest of us. I remember hearing all about your birth, your life, ever since you’ve come into this world. I feel like I know you even though I know that’s not technically true. But, I know you more than you know me.”

That was hardly surprising either. My existence had stretched out far and wide across this Earth. “Is there anything about me you want to know that you don’t?”

His jaw twitched as his lips pulled tight. “I am fine finding out as I go along, Princess. You have much to worry about during this coming week as well as the other things you shared with me yesterday evening. Our bond can grow naturally while you concentrate on what’s ahead of you. I won’t push.”

God, was this guy perfect or what? Even if I’d waited to acquire my mates, I wasn’t sure I’d have been lucky enough to find one quite like quaiche-giving, smile-inducing Calen.

Using the tree as a shield, I wrapped my hands around Calen’s neck and brought him down to me. Maybe he wouldn’t push, but I wanted to feel the touch of his lips right now. I wanted to strengthen the bond we would grow through the years.

Chapter Four

After my morning run, I stepped back into the guardian building and right toward the kitchen. The families of the potential mates were staying at the Rajyvik house itself, so it would just be me and my potential mates here in the dorm room cafeteria. Thankful I was given another opportunity to get to know them besides during training, I went through the line and spotted Kai first. Eager to thank him for the bracelet he’d left in my room last night, I made my way over to him.

“Hi,” I said, sitting down across from him.

I could feel the others' eyes on me. They were all sitting individually at separate tables, even Alexei. That was so not how I wanted things to happen in my relationships. They’d better start cozying up to one another soon.

“Good morning, Princess,” Kai said. His mouth opened into a wide smile I couldn’t help but return.

I leaned in close. “I wanted to thank you for the bracelet you left me.” I stared down at a similar one on his wrist.

If it was even possible, his smile grew. “I hope you like it.”

“I do,” I said, bringing my hands up and showing him that I wore it now.

His eyes widened and as he worked his gaze up to my face, pleasure spread through him. “It looks more beautiful on you than I could’ve imagined.”

My cheeks heated at his words. I wasn’t used to having the opposite sex praise me like this. Other than my short time at The Fort, I spent most of my time with just my family. “Did you make it yourself?”