Page 11 of Vampire's Promise
“Aaaand?”
“You are to be my concubine.”
So there it was. “What?”
“I’m certain you heard me correctly.”
A red haze dropped over her vision. While she was physically attracted to him, and everything in her gut screamed he was hers, she was in no mood to begin their relationship this way. “Better think on that one again.”
He paced the small tent, running his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t want this for you, but I was instructed that you were to either become my concubine, in which case Khedeus would cutmy term in half.” He stopped and stared at her with panic in his eyes that caused her heart to race.
“Or?”
“I can kill you and go free.”
She licked her lips and tried to swallow, her mouth suddenly dry. Would he kill her? “Anything else I should know?”
“If I don’t choose, Khedeus will take you himself and his punishment will be unimaginable.”
“Would he really do such a thing?” she whispered, afraid this god might hear her.
“Yes, and from what I’ve witnessed thus far, he will carry out his threat without thought.”
“So, I’m just supposed to spread my legs for you? Or perhaps you’d rather I lay on the ground and offer you my neck so you can take my head off?” She allowed the bite in her words to filter through.
His lip curled. “I don’t relish spending another minute in this hell.”
Somehow, she kept the pain that had just ripped through her from surfacing. “That is your choice, then? My death?” Evidently, he felt no mating pull.
He looked away from her. “I would never kill an innocent. Especially not to better my own comfort.”
She let out a breath. “Then I guess it’s concubine.”
“I am sorry. I promise to take care of you.”
Her body heated at the thought. Finally, looking down at her attire, she was surprised by what she saw. “This is not the clothing I was wearing before I was taken.”
“No.” He finally faced her, and his eyes were full of desire. “The dress should be cooler for you.”
She touched the neckband. “He did this?”
“I chose the jewelry and the dress.”
Hmm, interesting.He dressed her like a goddess. “We need to get out of here.”
He snorted. “There is no leaving. Don’t you think I have tried? My powers are limited.” He walked outside, and she followed, noting there were two suns and they were setting. A table was set up by a river bend and it was laden with food. He walked to it and waved his hand. “You should eat.” Then pulled out a chair and waited for her to sit.
The growl in her stomach said it had been some time since she ate so she took him up on his offer. “I will grow weak if this is all I’m given.”
He took the seat across from her and poured two glasses of wine. “I will give you my blood.”
Her heart nearly stopped. The thought of drinking from him sent a heat wave straight to her sex. What was the mating protocol for a guardian and a god? Or, in his case, a demigod, because he was either lying about his parents or was unaware. She prodded further.
“Will your mother not look for you?”
He looked up from his glass. “Eventually, but she is out, causing havoc at the moment. Might be years before she goes back home. The only one who knows I left for the mortal realm is Diara.”
She sipped from her glass and had to admit the fruity notes were delicious. “Is that your sister?”
