by Ciara Lake
Dear Lord, I’m thinking of sex with a stranger.
Feeling his eyes fixed on her, she turned to look at him. Exceptionally blue eyes met hers, triggering warmth that spiked within her. He winked, causing another wave of heat to travel through her. This time she didn’t look away from him, and she caught the flicker of blue-tipped flames within his pupils.
She wondered at the stunned look on his face. He regarded her closely, cocking his head as if analyzing her.
Servants sat goblets of water on the table in front of them. Without hesitation, Arianna downed her entire glass. A servant quickly replenished her water. She all but gulped it down. Dear God, I’m going to boil over. She couldn’t help the feeling of steam wanting to escape from her ears and mouth.
“Signors, signoras, and signorinas, I wish to make a toast.” Ezio stood at the head of the massive table with his wine glass in hand. His eyes twinkled in his plump face as he gazed proudly upon the large group. “I’m pleased to see everyone here. Thank you so much for coming.” Arianna struggled to listen as Clayne’s leg pressed against hers beneath the table. “All week there’ll be food, drink, and entertainment. We shall surely enjoy ourselves to the fullest.”
Everyone’s eyes were upon Ezio. Again, Clayne’s leg rubbed against hers. Arianna turned to look at him. He glanced at her and winked, his expression suggestive.
Quickly, she looked away to study her glass of water. The crystal, along with the silver, shone bright in the sunlight. It nearly blinded her. For a second she saw a burst of bright yellow. It confused and dazed her. I’m truly ill.
She tensed when he put his hand on her leg. Gently he squeezed her thigh.
How dare he be so forward!
“I toast to my good friend and partner, Antonio Mergliano.” Ezio’s voice announcing her father’s name interrupted her thoughts.
“Thank you, Ezio.” Her father lifted his glass, half rising before settling back in his chair.
“Antonio and I both wish to toast our new business associates.”
The guests turned to look around the table, and many eyes focused on Clayne. Arianna smiled nervously.
“Hear, hear,” Antonio echoed. His eyes settled on Clayne and then her.
“Also, I toast to our health and prosperity. May all of our ventures be profitable, our every moment pleasurable. Enjoy what we have to offer.” Holding his glass high he placed it to his lips, drinking it down.
“Thank you, Ezio, for your hospitality,” Clayne said as he sat his empty glass on the table.
Ezio waved a hand. Servants appeared, carrying trays of food. At once, everyone began to chat with each other. Arianna bit her lip, her back as straight as a board with each slow caress of Clayne’s hand on her leg. The servants placed the first course in front of them, a cool soup.
Barely touching her food, Arianna watched Sarah. She’d changed, looked older. She flirted openly with the two men on both sides of her. It was a much more mature interaction, a riskier flirtation. Surely, this man next to her didn’t think she was…willing to indulge with him. She wasn’t willing like Sarah.
“Are you well?” Clayne whispered next to her ear. Arianna nearly jumped out of her skin, only his grip on her leg prevented her from rising fully. “Have you cooled down?”
Arianna’s body heat spiked. The smell of expensive whiskey and mint stroked the inner fire that raged, adding fuel to her burgeoning desire. I haven’t cooled.
He cocked his head, smiling. “I can feel your desire, it fans mine. If we aren’t careful, we’ll roast the other guests with our heated need for each other.”
She shuddered, feeling each word against her flesh, teasing her until she wasn’t sure of anything beyond the man next to her. She looked at him, confused as to how she could hear him talking to her, because she didn’t think he had spoken aloud. Had he?
He winked, stretching back in his chair. He looked confident with himself. His attitude irked her, and her temperature rose yet again, this time in fury at his arrogance.
“Your heat feels good to me. I want to feel more of it. I want to soak it up, kiss you all over.” He studied her, but still his lips did not move even as she heard…no, she felt his words.
“What?”
He lifted his eyebrow, studying her more. “Are you confused, my beautiful dracvipen? Yes, I’m speaking to you.”
Arianna shook her head, trying to clear it. There was no doubt, his lips and mouth had not moved.
“It seems I’ve found what I seek, and what a beauty you are. Little could I imagine finding you…so intoxicating. I’m amazed at how you affect me. You’re a curious thing. ’Tis rare to find one of your kind so untouched.”
Arianna sprang from her chair as if a fire had lit her behind. Surprise registered on his face. Satisfaction rippled up her spine seeing he was caught off guard. Definitely he hadn’t anticipated her doing such a thing.
“Excuse me. I beg your indulgence, my lords. I’m suddenly not feeling well at all.” She winced at the shrillness in her words.
Antonio immediately stood, a frown creasing his forehead. “I’ll fetch Alba to assist you.”
“No, Papa, please don’t disrupt your lunch. I’m certain I just need to lie down. You can send Alba up later.”
All eyes watched her. Arianna’s father nodded as he sat back down.
“Do you need me to go with you?” Sarah offered.
“No, I can go myself.” Arianna pushed her chair out of her way. Tripping over her own skirt, she narrowly avoided landing in Clayne’s lap.
He stood, grabbing her arm and preventing her from falling. “Careful, my dear girl.” His voice was thick with concern. “I do hope you’ll feel better. Are you sure you don’t need assistance?”
“No, thank you.”Arianna shook her head. I’ll be better as soon as I get away from you. Arianna shot him a quick glance before ducking her head and all but scurrying back from him. What’s happening to me? What did he do to me? Next thing I know he’ll be able to hear my thoughts.
“Of course I can hear you.” He released her arm, and Arianna escaped him, fleeing to her room as quickly as her feet could carry her.
When she arrived at her room, she slammed the door behind her. The pictures rattled on the walls. She paced the floor to relieve her frustration. Surely her mind was playing tricks on her. She threw herself onto the bed. “I just need to rest. Or am I losing my mind? What’s wrong with me?”
Chapter 3
“Arianna, may I come in?” Alba’s voice drifted through the door from the hallway.
Sitting up, she blinked, confused for a second as to where she was. “Yes, Alba, come in.” Arianna could barely keep her eyes open, her lids were heavy. That must be it, I’m just tired. Pressing her hand to her forehead, she shivered at the heat seeping through her skin.
Alba bustled into the room, a tray in her hands and concern on her weathered face. “How are you? Your papa told me you needed to rest.”
“Yes, but I feel much better after I took a nice nap.” Arianna wondered if Signor MacDagon was still downstairs.
“Good. The traveling and such must have been too much. It is hot today. Or perhaps you’re coming down with something. I’m glad you’ve improved.”
“Yes, I am too.”
Alba looked at her as if she were unsure.
“Really, I’m fine.” Arianna smiled up at her.
“I’ve brought you some water and bread for your stomach. Perhaps after such a long nap you feel like enjoying the evening’s festivities?” She grinned. “Signor Allegretti has more musicians joining those downstairs. I think Sarah requested them just for you. She, like we all, know how you love music.” She sat the tray of food on the nightstand next to the bed.
“Sounds wonderful.” Arianna closed her eyes. “I do enjoy the music and dancing, it’s the best part of any party.” She tried hard to forget her encounter with Signor MacDagon. Had her encounter with him really been that unpleasant? Arianna wondered. “I’ll come d
own in about an hour. I just want to awake fully and eat a bit first. Please come back to help me into my scarlet dress.”
“Very well. There’s nothing on this bread so it should go down easy. Let me help you out of your gown. You’ll be more comfortable in your chemise. It’s extraordinarily hot in here.” She fanned her face with her hand. “The windows and veranda doors are all open, but your room’s steamy. I don’t know how you can stand it. Maybe I should request another room for you, one facing the other direction.”
“No, this room’s fine.” Arianna sat up on the side of the bed as Alba unbuttoned her gown.
“You feel hot. Do you have a fever?”
Arianna stood as Alba helped her slip out of her gown. “No, I’m fine. This feels much better.”
Alba laid the emerald dress over the settee. “I’ll be back in an hour.” She left, shutting the door behind her.
Arianna walked to the mirrored vanity, bending over to splash the cool water on her face to wake her fully. Wiping the moisture away, she sat on the high dressing stool. Her shoulder still tingled, and it occasionally burned. Turning her shoulder toward the mirror, she studied it. The mark looked a deeper blue, more defined. It’d changed, resembling a creature with wings. The change in the mark’s appearance shocked her. Feeling increasingly emotional, for reasons unknown, her eyes burned.
“What has me so undone?” She stared at herself. “What’s happening to me?” Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, willing herself to be calm in the face of the only conclusion she could draw. “I’m a witch.”
“Hush, beautiful. You’re not a witch,” a male voice whispered close to her ear.
Startled, Arianna opened her eyes. Royal blue eyes met her emerald green ones in the mirror.
“Don’t scream. I mean you no harm.” Clayne studied her reflection. “Screaming will only cause an unnecessary disruption to their party. I’ll have to disappear, only to come back later.” Touching her cheek, he captured a tear with his finger. He placed the tear on his tongue, his eyes falling to half-mast for a moment. “Mmm, you taste sweet.”
Stunned, Arianna gaped at him for a moment. “What are you doing here?” Arianna ground out each word. “How long have you been here? I didn’t hear my door open.” Their stares locked in the mirror. She paled when she realized he had not entered through a door. “If I’m not a witch, you are.”
“I’m not a witch, those fickle creatures are governed by wealth rather than any true loyalty.” He leaned down and boldly kissed the mark on her shoulder.
Arianna jerked in surprise. The feel of his lips made her pulse quicken. She shivered, helpless to her response.
“You carry my mark, something I wasn’t informed of. I find this all fascinating.” His eyes bored into hers. Then he shook his head. “It seems even in my years, I can still be surprised.” Placing his hands on her bare upper arms, he lightly squeezed. “I was determined not to like you, there’s so little of your kind redeemable to my species.”
Arianna, frozen, as if hypnotized by him, continued to stare at his reflection.
“I’m fated to what I’ve despised for so very long. At least half of you is what I’ve despised. The fates can be so…unpredictable. They do like their games.” He grinned. “The fates enjoy these circumstances.” The blue flames in his eyes flared as he watched her. The implausible light show within his pupils woke her from her trance.
“Your mark?” She glared at him. “What you’ve learned to despise? The games of the fates?” Arianna spit each one of his phrases back at him. “You, Signor, are clearly insane. I don’t understand a thing you’re saying. Nor do I care to.”
“You may think I’m insane, but I’m not. Instead, it seems I’m cursed to be fated to a beautiful dracvipen. I’ve yet to decide what to do with this revelation. After all, curses aren’t all bad. Especially when they aren’t really curses.” Boldly, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him. “You do feel nice. You smell good too. I think it a fair exchange. One can ignore the mix as long as it comes in such a beautiful package.”
She stood, struggling to get free of him. He held her firm, sniffing her neck. Unable to help it, she tilted her head, giving him better access for a brief moment before she returned to her senses. “Unhand me, you insane rogue.”
“As you wish, Arianna.” Clayne withdrew his arms from around her. A chill passed through her heated body as he let go. “You’ll miss our heat.” He continued to stand behind her. His eyes flamed bright. “You’re lovely. You have spirit, yet there’s sweetness to you. A beautiful combination, you’re absolutely fascinating.” You’re most definitely a charming mix.
“Get the hell out of my head. You…you…rogue.” Arianna turned to face him. She tried to stomp on his foot. Deftly, he avoided her attack.
“For a woman with such linguistic abilities you’re truly lacking in vocabulary to describe me,” he teased.
She wanted to slap his face, taking the grin right off.
“And you’ll have to learn to move much faster to keep up with me. I’m very swift.” He reached around, swatting her on her behind.
“How dare you!”
“Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.” His teeth dazzled white with his satisfied smile. “You’re the one who initiated our little game.” He shrugged.
“Game? What game? What do you think this is—you come into my room uninvited to accost me and I fall at your feet?” Arianna went to step around him. Stepping to the side, he blocked her.
“Oh, I suppose I should’ve waited for your invitation. I will, next time. I really don’t want you to be distressed with me. I do like you.”
“You’re insane. Get out of my room. I’m going to scream if you don’t leave.” Arianna stabbed her finger into his chest. He was so solid it nearly hurt her finger.
“Hmm, you’re touching me. I like that.”
Arianna quickly snatched her hand back.
“Suit yourself.” Backing up, he held his hands up in surrender. “You’re a curious thing.”
His blatant arrogance irritated her even more. Heat rushed through her with such intensity she thought she might burn the floor out from under her.
“Oh, sweet girl, I do make you burn. Excuse me. Your heat caused me to digress. Wouldn’t you rather know what I’ve been talking about? Or do you know what a dracvipen is? Do you know what I am?”
“Clearly, you’re insane. I know that.”
He raised his right eyebrow as he regarded her. “Do you know what mark you carry on your shoulder?”
“I carry a mark of angel’s wings. You, Signor, are no angel. More like one condemned to hell.” Arianna proudly lifted her chin.
As if struck by her comment, he bent over in laughter. His entire body shook with amusement.
“There is naught to laugh about, you, you clod!” Arianna yelled.
“Shush now.” He placed his index finger over his lips and chuckled. “They’ll hear you. I’ll have to leave and I don’t wish to. I’m having too much fun to leave just yet.” He winked. “So be quiet,” he whispered. “You like the word ‘hell’ my lady? And you’re right, Arianna. I’m no angel. And neither are you from the sound of it. Those wings on your shoulder aren’t angel’s wings.”
Arianna stared at him for several seconds, and then she seethed with anger. “Signor MacDagon, leave or I’ll…scream. I’ll scream so loud, I’ll bring the roof down,” Arianna said in an even, too soft tone. Clearly, hysterics were not the way to deal with this lunatic.
“Well, go ahead, let’s see what happens. I’m not afraid of those weaklings downstairs. I have what I came for. I’ll be victorious while they are still bumbling about like babes learning their first steps.” Pushing a stray curl back from her face, he tucked it behind her ear.
She waved his hand away. “You’re an arrogant bastard.”
“I’m no bastard.” He shrugged. “After all, my parents are married. They have been for a very long time.”
�
��I don’t care what you are. Leave my room now!” Arianna pointed to the door. Her hand shook with fury.
“I can leave now. I’ve seen what I needed to see. More’s the pity really, I’d rather the fates be a bit kinder, but it’s not something to lose a scale or two over.” His smile was colder. “Admit it, you like my company. But nevertheless, I’ll let you rest. When you’re rested, join me for this evening’s entertainment. Dance with me. I like music too. It’s a passion we share.” A cocky grin crossed his face as he appraised her from the top of her head to her feet. Arianna wanted to knock the grin off his handsome face. “If you’re nice to me, I’ll tell you what you’re so anxious to know.”
“What am I so anxious to know? You have nothing to tell me.” Arianna placed her hands on her hips.
“For one thing, who you are.”
“Who I am? You are insane, everyone knows who I am.”
Clayne shook his head. “But do you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You disappoint me.” He backed away from her. “I’ll be waiting for you downstairs. If you dance with me, I’ll answer some of your questions. Things you’ve wanted to know since you were a child. Things your mind and heart have been telling you but you’re simply too blind to understand.” He leaned toward her. She didn’t move away quickly enough, and he kissed her lips.
“Damn you straight to hell. You serpent!” Arianna wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Serpent?” He chuckled softly. His eyes twinkled with merriment. “Arianna, you’re so close to the truth. But I’m no snake. There are many kinds of reptiles. You are intuitive.” Smiling, he crossed his arms. “We won’t go to hell, but we need to lock a monster in his hell. Your help’s required. See, more questions.” Clayne winked. “But if we visit hell to see to the task, we’ll enjoy the heat together.” His tone was smooth as silk, then he vanished right in front of her eyes.
