Bloodbound Desire

lit corridors of the castle. The air smelled of aged parchment and the faint

ot as a prisoner, but as somethin

ng part

ended a narrow stone staircase. "Are

hin. "You offered m

urved his lips. "You continue

warm glow over the marble floors, and long crimson drapes framed towering windows that overlooked the da

s of

conversing in hushed tones. Their gazes shifted as Vale

as one,

feeling the weight of their

ightened ever so slightly. "D

lowed. "I'm

ured, amusement

pped forward. A tall woman with sleek black hair and striking green eyes.

licking toward Evelyn with mild interest. "W

remained unreadable.

ed a delicate

he said

gaze lingering on Evelyn with an

the urge to step back. She knew what

refused

the woman's gaze head-on.

re's face before she laughed-a rich, melodi

ked. "I thoug

"I am Selene. One of Valeri

ng her hand. Selene's grip wa

" Selene mused. "That wi

if it was a compl

ice cut through the room. "Enough pleas

ous. "There have been whispers," she said. "The elders gr

yn t

shift in the air-the quiet danger that settled over him. "

nvinced. "Be careful, Valerian. E

t him, but he ga

"Come," he said, his voice softer now. "T

ation, feeling Selene's gaze ling

-

night

ourtyard. The night air was crisp, the scent of damp earth and roses filling her lu

led. "It's

ne railing, watching her. "Do y

to him. "To

"That would be

ld retort, he reached out and gently br

s fleeting.

ent a shiver

rkened slightly. "

old," s

was knowin

olness radiating from his body. His scent wrapped around h

r hand, turning it over to trace his thu

a breath. "What

able. "You fear what I am," he mur

hard. "I under

dering something, before he li

iffened.

he assured her. "

ds, the way he said them-i

touch featherlight. His breath was cool against h

she should

he di

l lingering against her pulse. "You are

ed against his c

faintly. "

use he was right. It wasn't fear that made he

si

nted this.

fied her more

tepping back as her breath came

adable, but there was something in

ish," he

o leave, she knew o

never es

part of her d