Page 74 of Veiled Flames (Destiny of Dragons #1)

Sighing, I lean back. Shifting my position on the sofa, I look up into the mirrors installed on the ceiling. Octavia, the former DEFTA CEO, must have enjoyed looking at herself—a lot. She had mirrors installed on the ceilings and every wall of the bedroom attached to this office too.

Staring into my reflection, I hope to find answers in my eyes, but the longer I stare, the more detached I become from my image.

I don’t even recognize myself.

Born Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, most believe I was assassinated along with my parents, my sisters and brother, in 1918.

But I was rescued, turned into a vampire and re-named Princess Anastasia by my Maker and adoptive father, King Dunkan.

Then I spent the next century in the vampiric palace, waiting for the rumors to fade, rumors I’d survived the massacre that took my family.

And I stayed there long after the rumors were dead.

Comfortable. Until the king’s biological daughter was found, my sestra Selina.

Inspired by her, I became more curious about the world and longed to travel outside the underground palace.

Now I am Princess Anastasia, Ambassador Anastasia, representing the king in a territorial dispute between vampire syndicates.

All these things are facts. Details about my past, my current job, but they don’t define who I am.

“Talk to him.” Ember’s voice draws me out of my existential crisis.

I look toward her.

She smiles. “I feel funny giving you advice. I mean, I’m like, twenty five years old, and even though you look younger than me, you’re…”

“I know, I know.” I smile too. “I was born in 1901.”

Ember tries to hide her reaction. She already knows how long I’ve lived, but she clearly hadn’t done the math and is shocked at hearing my actual birthdate.

“I may have walked this earth more years than you,” I tell her.

“But you’re the one who has experience with love.

” Since seeing Selina with her four mates, and now Ember with her three, a longing has awoken inside me.

One that goes beyond sex. A powerful yearning to have what they have, to find my true mate or mates.

And at this moment that desire’s even stronger than the sexual drive that’s undeniably erupted inside me.

“Have you and Timur talked about this?” Ember asks.

I shake my head. “I haven’t been able to find the words.”

“You need to tell Timur how you feel.” Ember takes my hand again. “As long as you’re open with him, open with each other, then maybe you can remain blood partners, remain friends without, you know, being life partners.” She smiles. “At least until one of you finds your true mate.”

“Yes. Perhaps.” Dropping her hand, I turn on the sofa and set both feet on the floor. “It’s not like me to be so indecisive, so unsure of myself.”

“Hey. Take it easy on yourself.” Ember rubs my shoulder. “It’s a lot. And like you said, you’re a beginner at this love and sex thing.”

“True.” And I need to remember that my dreams about love are incompatible with the plans I’ve made for my life, my plans for adventure, not to mention my duty to the crown. I rise.

Ember rises too, and I pull her into an embrace. “Thank you for your counsel.”

“Any time.” My friend pulls back from me, a warm smile on her face. “And good luck talking to Timur. Let me know how it goes.”

Ana

“This is beyond excessive.” I look over the group of nine bodyguards that the DEFTA executive expects me to bring to my meeting with the Mariano syndicate. “No one needs this much protection.” I don’t need any protection. I might be small, but I’m perfectly capable of defending myself.

“Your Highness,” Diederik, DEFTA’s head of security, widens his stance as he stands before me. “I don’t think you fully comprehend what you’re walking into, the danger you face by agreeing to meet on their turf. The Marianos are a rogue syndicate. I highly recommend that you hold the meeting here.”

“I fully understand your concerns,” I tell Diederik.

And I do. He’s only doing his job, and my first two meetings with the Mariano syndicate happened here.

But their boss refused to attend those meetings.

He refuses to come here. And I’ve yet to meet with the vampire who’s actually in charge.

It’s clear that no final agreement will be reached until I speak to Mariano directly.

“I’m not sure that you do understand the situation,” Diederik continues. “In the early 1930’s, Octavia struck a deal with the Marianos, and now the king is asking DEFTA to break that deal.”

“I know that, but?—”

“Look,” he interrupts me. “I get why the king wants to get DEFTA out of this deal. Most of us here didn’t even know the deal existed.

And Octavia used her coercive magic on those of us who did know.

But it’s not just the deal. The king is asking the syndicate to give up all their powers of authority.

Powers Mariano won’t give up without a fight. ”

I smile. I detest the way Diederik is talking to me, framing this as if I have no say in the matter, as if I’m merely a mouthpiece for my father when it’s actually me who’s advising the king on these matters.

“I assure you,” I respond to Diederik, “I have carefully studied this situation. And in the unlikely chance that I am attacked, I am well trained in the art of combat. As is Timur.” Hoping for support, I glance toward the vampire who’s been my friend and constant companion since the day I was weaned from my Maker’s blood.

But my old friend keeps his gaze forward, not meeting mine.

“If I walk into this meeting with nine bodyguards,” I gesture toward the excess of security, “it will deliver a highly confrontational and combative message. Exactly the opposite of the conciliatory tone I want to project.”

Diederik grunts.

“What’s your opinion, Timur?” I ask. “Should I take nine bodyguards to this meeting? Ten counting you?”

“Your Highness’s safety is paramount,” Timur says, still staring ahead. “The more guards we bring the better.”

Timur glances toward me, and the pain I see in his eyes nearly knocks me to the floor. As Ember suggested, I told Timur the truth about my feelings, and while I’m certain her advice was sound, it doesn’t lessen my guilt. I’ve caused him so much pain.

Timur is the definition of tall, dark and handsome, with his flawless, light brown skin, lush dark hair, and eyes that flash with wisdom, warmth and intelligence.

I can’t deny that I find my blood partner attractive.

Objectively attractive. But I don’t feel that flutter or flush that Ember mentioned, that magnetic pull toward him.

I don’t have even a hint of a feeling in my heart that would tell me that what Timur and I have between us is love.

Perhaps love is something I’m not destined to feel, and I have no time for such distractions anyway.

Turning away from Timur, I return my attention to the matters at hand. Raising my chin slightly, I address Diederik. “Fine. But if your team comes, I insist that they carry no weapons.”

All nine bodyguards are heavily armed, visibly, not only with wooden stakes and crossbows, but also with guns, the weapons of humans, modern versions of the kind that killed my family.

In fact, these bodyguards look more like soldiers, prepared to go to war, not a meeting.

“Our delegation must make a demonstration of strength,” Diederik says.

“That is not for you to say.” I look at him sternly. “You are in this room to offer me counsel, not to tell me what to do.”

His jaw twitches. “Yes, Your Highness.” The sarcasm in his tone grates.

“Please instruct your team to conceal their weapons,” I say calmly. “In briefcases perhaps, or under their jackets.” I glance toward the team of bodyguards, seven male, two female, all dressed in dark business suits and stern expressions.

“Ahead of you there, Princess.” Diederik nods toward the male at the far right of the grouping.

The tall, square jawed vampire opens his jacket to reveal a lining containing several wooden stakes in addition to the one he’s holding in his hand—not to mention the three crossbows in the holster strapped on his back.

“There will be no visible weapons when we enter the room,” I tell Diederik.

He startles, and even I’m impressed by my commanding tone.

“If you want your team to carry weapons,” I continue, “for the sake of their protection, then please equip them with cases, and do so quickly. I do not want to arrive late to this meeting.”

Diederik grunts, but then ushers his team of goons from the room, leaving me alone with Timur.

“Are you okay?” I ask, stepping toward the tall vampire.

I’m still unaccustomed to seeing Timur dressed in modern day clothes, versus the long linen robes I know he prefers.

Today, he’s wearing dark grey slacks and a matching, black-collared shirt and cashmere sweater.

Of course, I now realize that wearing the heavy, loose robes he preferred was one of the ways he concealed his lie about being a eunuch.

“Of course I am okay,” he says flatly without turning. “Bringing the security team is the best course of action. But you’re right. Concealing their weapons is wise.”

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about.” Reaching forward, I touch his arm and his strong bicep muscles flex under the soft cashmere. “Are you okay about our earlier discussion…”

“Perfectly fine.” Shifting his arms, he moves away from my touch and clasps his hands behind his back.

“Again, I’m so sorry.”

His expression softens, and he looks down into my eyes. “You have no need to apologize, Your Highness.”

I suck in a shuddering breath. He always calls me Ana when we’re alone.

“And please, rest assured that my personal feelings will have no bearing on our ongoing mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“Arrangement?”

He nods sharply. “If you wish, I will continue to feed you. I will also provide any other services you might require of me. I am now, and remain your most loyal subject. Whatever you require, I am yours.”

“Timur, you don’t mean?—”

“Ana.” Leaving his hands behind his back, he shakes his head. “It was wrong of me to awaken your long dormant sexuality. Selfish on my part. And now that I have done so, I will continue to fulfill your needs until such time as you find a more suitable partner.”

“Timur…” My mouth has gone dry. But I have to admit I’m glad of his offer. I can’t imagine not having sex again—especially after feeding, something I’ve been putting off for far too long. And I certainly don’t want to feed or have sex with a stranger.

But knowing he has feelings for me, that the sex might mean more for him than it does for me… “If it’s too difficult for you, emotionally difficult I mean?—”

“Your Highness.” He draws a long breath. “I am well accustomed to suppressing my needs.”

Someone knocks on the door.

“Enter,” Timur says.

Diederik opens the door, and then, standing in an exaggerated pose of attention, he salutes me. “Your Highness, I have prepared the team according to your specifications. We are prepared to escort you to the meeting.”

“Thank you.” I nod. I can’t wait to get this meeting over and done with. The sooner I can negotiate an agreement between these two vampire syndicates, the sooner I can leave DEFTA, leave Philadelphia and get on with my new life.

Excitement rushes through me. I’m excited about my role as ambassador, and I can’t wait to experience more of what the world has to offer outside the vampiric palace.

Stepping up beside me, Timur brushes my arm. “Please,” he says softly. “Don’t worry about me. Even if you never feel the same, I love you. And I will protect you. Forever.”