Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“I can’t hurt you, of course. Ty spoke the truth back in the alley. I’m no killer of women.” Xander’s hand moved some of my auburn hair away from my cheek. “So I ordered some more drinks and spent an hour trying to come up with an alternative.”
“And what’s the alternative?” I prepared myself for the worst.
“I will form a mind-to-mind connection with you. Just like what the king and you had, except now our bond will break his link. He may realize it or not since he’s connected to the whole city’s residents.”
“Have you done this before?”
“No.”
My heart pounded in my ears. “Why do we even need a bond?”
“I can’t let you walk around free, not while you know I’m a prince.”
I sat up. “It’s your fault. You paraded your marks in front of me while we were in the bathroom.”
“I know.” He rubbed is eyes with his hands and then massaged his temples. “For some sick reason, I think I wanted you to know I had power. Ever since I drank your blood, my head has been crazy.”
I edged away from him.
“I don’t want to bond with you either.” He frowned. “And thankfully, the alcohol calmed the buzz from your blood.”
“Look, I promise you I won’t tell anybody.”
“I want to believe you, but the mental connection will guarantee you won’t say anything.”
“How?”
“I could make sure you don’t utter the words with a simple command.”
“Is that all you would do?” My heartbeats lessoned to a steady pace.
He rolled over to his back and blew out a long breath. “I won’t lie. The connection gives me a lot of power over you. I could read your thoughts and speak to you wherever I am, even several miles away.”
I gulped down fear. “I’ll be in Zumaya, far away from the king. I won’t be able to tell him. I don’t think this connection is necessary.”
“I do.” He sat up with me. “I’ll just need to bite you and keep my fangs inside of your vein. Then I’ll inject my hormones into you and build the link.”
“If you haven’t done this before, then how do you know how to do it?”
“Remember Ian from the sewers?”
I nodded.
“He claims to be the Quiet King’s brother and a king himself.”
“What?”
“He’s told me many things about being a vampire prince.” Xander sighed. “I’m not sure if I can trust him or not, but sometimes it seems like I can sense his truths from his lies as if princes and kings can’t deceive each other.”
I thought about what he said and considered the alternatives. I couldn’t run away. Xander would catch me in seconds. I couldn’t fight him either. He was too strong.
“The king didn’t need to bite me in order to link with me,” I said. “He just entered my head. I don’t think you need to bite me.”
“I’m still a prince. I don’t have his powers yet. My fangs need to be inside of you.” He paused for a few seconds and muttered, “I want them inside of you.”
I looked into his eyes.
Fear and desire mingled within my body. My blood swayed like he was casting a spell on me.
Silence hung in the air for a minute.
“In fact, I’ve wanted to taste you since you disrobed in the alley.” His nostrils flared as he breathed in my scent. “I drank that vial of your blood, thinking it would be enough. It wasn’t. I don’t think it’s just the blood that I want to savor.”
“I’m not interested in anything else.” I scooted back.
I can’t be interested in anything else.
Xander frowned.
“If you need to mentally tie us together, then fine, but that’s it.”
“Okay.”
He’s agreed too quickly. Is this some trick?
I bit my bottom lip. “And. . .please be gentle with your fangs. I’ve never been bitten. I’m untouched.”
Xander’s fangs lengthened beyond his top lip. “Well, you’ll be touched tonight.”
“Meaning?” I continued to keep my body stiff, not showing the fear that bounced around in my gut. “I don’t like the way you said that.”
“I’m just joking a little. I promise I’ll only bite you.” His lips formed into a wicked smile. He lifted his hand and tossed my hair over my shoulder. With warm fingertips, he caressed my neck. The heat left his fingers and swam within me.
I shuddered and removed his hands. “Just a bite. Not a massage.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t just quickly pierce beautiful women with my fangs. I like to take my time.”
“You’re not courting me, Xander.” I scowled at him. “Just bite me and get it over with. And will one bite be enough? I won’t be breeding with you.”
“I don’t want children.” Laughter burst from his lips. “I have no plans to conquer land or dethrone my father.”
“So you are the Quiet King’s son?” I raised my eyebrows. “It’s why Ian called you nephew? How did you survive?”