Chapter 8 Dead of Night

• “That’s not how you act, though!”
• How does she expect me to act?
• “Your brother is my friend and he’s always around. He’d certainly not approve of his only sister, his baby sister, being with an Eternus.”
• He’s not going to like it. Not at all.
• “And our fathers already said no...”
• I don’t need reminding of that. I frowned. Wondering how I’d broach that subject with my father. Much worse, hers.
• “I don’t care what they said. They’ll come around.”
• “You’re an Eternus...” She murmured.
• “Yes. I am. Are you afraid?”
• “Not of you.”
• “Then why say it like that?”
• “Because one should fear an Eternus.”
• That much is fact.
• Especially when they’re not one. And even more so, if she knew what particular kind I am.
• “Yes, one should.” I hovered over her. Tempted to kiss her again. “But you never fear what you should.”
• Or you wouldn’t have come into my room so late.
• “Should I fear you?”
• No.
• But if I have to explain that to her, then she shouldn’t be with me. I didn’t like that line of thinking.
• “Why do you never do what you should without a thousand questions?”
• “Don’t be cruel. You and Roger are always so mean!”
• “Well, Archer is always there to pick you back up.” I walked back to the bed. Fully aware I was goading her. “I told you my terms, Fiere.”
• She was on my heels. “I don’t get what you’re saying.”
• “Do I need to use smaller words?” I whirled on her. Knowing that she knew full well what I meant.
• She’s playing at naivete.
• “See! That! That’s mean.”
• “Because you aggravate me!”
• “Then why would you want to wed me?”
• “Because I want you to aggravate me every day.” I confessed on a sigh. Before reluctantly adding. “And make me laugh. And be close enough that when you act clumsy as a new lamb, I can catch you.”
• “Do you think you would feed on me?” I asked softly.
• Stop asking me that!
• “Do you think I would?” I knew my gaze was hard on her.
• “No.”
• “Neither do I. Are you willing to find out?”
• “How?”
• I nodded toward the bed.
• “Thought you said only if I’ll be yours?”
• I did.
• But I can’t take it anymore. I want her so badly.
• “No. I said if you marry me. I’ll not have you sneaking to my chambers in the dead of night while you’re wed to another.”
• “Point taken. But you’re inviting me there now?”
• She’s being purposely obtuse. She knows what I mean.
• I was aware she was far cleverer than she was letting on just now.
• “No, I’m telling you to make a choice. When you come to me next, I’ll not be nearly the gentleman I am tonight. But when you lie beneath me, you’re agreeing you’ll stand with me.”
• To wed me. No matter what either of our fathers say.
• “Do you say this to all the girls who want to join with you?” I queried.
• He laughed outright. “No!”
• Hardly. There’s been far too many that would’ve taken me up on it and landed me with a crazy all my days.
• Thank God for avoiding that!
• “Good. Because I suspect you’d have had a lot of brides.”
• He gave a grudging head tilt. “I’ve not been a saint. But I know what I want now. Especially when it wanders into my chamber in the dark. Hurling pouting words like an angry troll hurling rocks.”
• “I’m not a troll!”
• “You rather look like one when you’re mad.”
• It was a blatant lie. I never thought she was more beautiful than when she was aggravated. Her face flushed the same shade as her hair. Her eyes bright and the delightful sputtering sound she made between those pretty lips.
• “Why are you always so mean!”
• I frowned. Stop saying that.
• There’s a difference between malice and teasing.
• “To get your attention.” I shrugged. “And to get that reaction. You look positively adorable when you’re mad.”
• I knew I was firing her off. But it was irresistible.
• She grabbed the nearest candlestick and hurled it at my head.
• I palmed it away sending it clattering harmlessly into the corner. Giving a disapproving cluck I shook my head chidingly. Knowing that the racket would certainly draw someone here.
• And if she’s found in my room, she’ll be utterly compromised.
• “Uh-oh, Fiere. Better run. Daddy won’t give you a choice if he catches you sneaking from my chamber in the dead of night.”
• “He won’t give you one either!”
• Oh. No. I thought dryly. Giving her a rueful grin.
• “I’ve already made it clear I’d welcome that.” I strode across the room and snatched her wrist as she picked up a small dish to pitch at me. Eyeing her around it.
• “And I’m not entirely adverse to trapping you in it, if need be.” I leaned over her ominously.
• “That’s not gentlemanly.” She blinked those huge green eyes at me.
• “You keep accusing me of that, as if one day I will be.”
• “You’re not!”
• “Nope.”
• “Jacks!”
• “Better run, Fiere. I hear doors downstairs and feet coming up.”
• She fled.
• “Best decide, Girl. You come back flirting in my sheets, I’m going to claim you mine.” He called after me in a hushed voice.
• Both as a wolf.
• And as an Eternus man.
• I peeked out my chamber door to watch her sliding along the shadows and easing quietly into her room. Closing the door and standing at it. I knew because I heard no further footfalls leaving it.
• ***
• I knew I’d terrified her.
• She was swinging clear of me. Sending petrified glances my way.
• I paid her little mind, knowing what it meant.
• She’ll come back to me.
• I could feel the draw between us. Knowing as surely as night fell and dawn arose that she would no more be able to resist it then I was proving.
• I had wanted to respect her brother.
• I do respect him.
• And I respected the King of Pyre.
• But there was something inexplicable and indefinable reigning between she and I.
• Something I’m not about to let go.
• My father stepped into my eyeline. “I heard doors late last night.”
• My stomach dropped as I met his fierce blue eyes.
• “I thought I was clear.”