Realizing her guest had halted to gape in wonderment, Abby slowed her steps and glanced over her shoulder. “Darcy? Is something wrong?”
Darcy gave a slow shake of her head. “I’ve never been in the house of a goddess before. It’s incredibly beautiful.”
Abby gave a small snort as she retraced her steps and linked her arm through Dairy’s. With a small tug, she had Darcy moving toward another sweeping staircase.
“Well, this goddess would rather be living in a comfy apartment that’s in dire need of a good dusting, and close enough to the mall that I can catch the scent of Prada handbags,” Abby confessed, with one of those smiles that invited the world to join in her happiness. “Dante, on the other hand, prefers a more lavish style.”
“What’s it like?” The words left Darcy’s lips before she could halt them.
“What’s what like?” Abby demanded.
“Being married to a vampire?”
“Ah.” The pretty features abruptly softened into a dreamy expression. It was the same expression that Darcy had noticed on Shay’s face when she spoke of Viper. “I suppose it wouldn’t be for every woman,” Abby confessed. “Most vampires are prone to excessive arrogance and are way too fond of giving orders. And, of course, they have little experience in sharing their emotions. They need a great deal of training to become a proper mate.”
Darcy gave a small laugh at the woman’s teasing. “You could say that for all men.”
“Yes, but vampires tend to take their faults to epic levels.”
Darcy grimaced. “I know exactly what you mean.”
Abby patted Darcy’s hand. “On the other hand, they are extraordinarily sexy, and they possess an ability to make a woman feel like the most beautiful, most cherished woman in the world. And even better, once they are mated they are completely faithful and utterly devoted for the rest of eternity. I will never, ever have to fear that Dante will leave me for another.”
Darcy gave a startled blink. “You’re that certain?”
Abby halted before a closed door. “Yes, but not because I’m vain enough to think I’m irresistible.” She gave a soft chuckle. “Just the opposite, in fact. But once a vampire is mated, he is incapable of desiring another woman. Dante will always love me as much as he did the night we became one.”
Darcy experienced a queer pang in her heart.
A pang she at last realized was envy.
How would it feel to have such absolute confidence in a companion? To know beyond a doubt that he would always be at your side? That he would never stray, never waver in his affection, and never decide to abandon you for another?
For a woman who had never had such security in her life, it sounded just like heaven to Darcy.
“You’re a very lucky woman,” she said, with a wistful smile.
“Yes, I know.” Abby tilted her head to one side. “Not that I want you to believe it’s all been some sort of fairy tale. There might have been lust at first sight, but no love. To be honest, in the beginning most days I just wanted to punch Dante in the nose.”
Darcy laughed. “I know the feeling all too well.”
“Styx?” the woman gently probed.
“Yes.” Darcy heaved a deep sigh. “There are moments when he can be the most tender, most thoughtful man I have ever met. And then the next thing I know, he’s tossing around orders and using his vampire powers on me. He’s very… aggravating.”
“A typical vampire, I fear.”
She met the curious blue gaze squarely. “I need to know that I can trust him.”
“Yes, you do. Until then, you are more than welcome to stay with me.” Abby patted Darcy’s arm before reaching out to push open the door. “These will be your rooms. There is a bathroom through the door on your left, and I have ordered a vegetarian dinner to be brought up. Why don’t you have a nice soak and I’ll bring you some clean clothes.”
“Oh, yes,” Darcy sighed. “That would be lovely.”
“And don’t worry,” Abby said, with a smile. “While you’re here you’re perfectly safe.”
Darcy smiled. “Shay was right.”
“Oh?”
“She said I would like you very much, and I do.”
Abby gave her a swift hug. “The feeling is entirely mutual, my dear. Now go enjoy your bath.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Bloody hell.” Styx turned to glare at the vampire standing at his side. “You’re sure she’s here?”
Santiago gave a respectful bow of his head. “Yes, master. The woman you seek is within the house.”
“Damn.”
With a chuckle designed to be annoying as possible, Viper clapped him roughly on the back.
“Look on the bright side, ancient one, you were worried that Darcy might be in danger. Now you’ve discovered she is in the safest place possible in all the world for her to be.”
Styx gave a low hiss. Certainly he was relieved that Darcy was safe. Profoundly relieved.
And, of course, he was pleased that she was not in the company of the damn Weres.
Still, he wasn’t a fool.
For all his power he was no match for a goddess.
If Abby desired to keep him from Darcy, then there wasn’t a blasted thing he could do about it.
“What the devil was Dante thinking?” His cold glare shifted to the looming mansion. “He was supposed to be out searching for Darcy, not hiding her.”
“I do not doubt that Dante is even now scouring the streets for your missing captive,” Viper soothed. “This smells far more of Abby and my own dear mate.”
Styx’s hand closed around the medallion about his neck as he struggled to control the power that raced through him.
The urge to battle his way to Darcy’s side was as dangerous as it was ridiculous.
It revealed just how difficult it was to control his unruly emotions.
“Why would they interfere in vampire business?” he demanded in a frozen tone.
“Because they are women.” Viper gave a lift of his hands, his expression resigned. Not surprising. Discussing women tended to bring that expression to most men’s faces. “They band together far more fiercely than any other creature and will tear a poor man to shreds if he dares to harm one.”
“Not even Shay could imagine I intend to harm Darcy.”
There was a silent beat before Viper carefully cleared his throat. “Master, you did kidnap Darcy with the sole intent of bartering her to the werewolves. You can’t blame Shay for wondering what your intentions might be.”
Styx’s fangs flashed in the darkness. “Salvatore will never have her. Never.”
“What of your plans to trade her—”
“I do not have to explain myself, Viper,” Styx snapped, thankful for the first time for his position of the Anasso.
He didn’t want to consider, let alone try to explain, his fierce refusal to contemplate handing over Darcy to the Weres. Not when it was bound to reveal a growing weakness within him.
Viper regarded him with a disturbing smile. “No, I suppose you don’t.”
Styx gave an impatient shake of his head. “I need to see Darcy.”
“You will.” Viper turned his gaze toward the house. “But first allow me to speak with Shay.”
“Viper…”
“No, Styx.” Viper turned to face Styx squarely. “If Abby is within, she can stop you from entering—you know that. It is best we try to accomplish this with a minimum of bloodshed. Especially if that bloodshed happens to be my own.”
At the moment, Styx could care less about how much bloodshed was needed, or even who would have to shed it.
He had to see his angel.
And he had to see her now.
“I will have Darcy,” he swore in a low tone.
“Great. This should be fun.” Squaring his shoulders, Viper began walking down the street. “Come on.”
As Darcy had soaked in her bubble bath, she had been blithely unaware of the battle that had raged below.
Thank God, since she would have been deeply distressed by the raised voices, the accusations, and occasional threats that burned the air.
Of course, it might have been nice to have had a bit of warning that Styx was making his way through the house like a natural disaster before coming out of the bathroom and simply discovering him pacing the bedroom floor.
“Cripes,” she muttered, eyeing the nearby door and judging whether or not she could make a dash for it.
Easily following the direction of her thoughts, Styx smoothly stepped between her and the door, his expression tight with an unreadable emotion.
“Wait, Darcy. Please don’t run from me,” he said softly, his gaze trained hungrily on her pale face. “I just wish to talk.”
It wasn’t Styx’s request that halted her flight. After all, she was still royally ticked at him. Walking out seemed just about right.
But with nothing between her and damp nakedness except a small towel, it seemed wiser to remain in her rooms. No doubt Styx had brought the entire vampire nation with him. She preferred to keep her private parts private.
Besides, if she stayed she could glare at him to her heart’s content.
Something she had been longing to do for hours.
“Did Shay tell you I was here?” she demanded.
“No, your conspirators were very determined to keep me from you.” His eyes held a lingering hint of annoyance. Good, she told herself. She hoped that Shay had made him jump through hoops and dance a jig before allowing him upstairs. “Thankfully, I was far more determined to get to you.”
She gripped the towel tighter. “I’m mad at you.”
His lips twisted. “I reasoned that out when you tried to burn my lair to the ground.”
“It was a very small fire.”
“No fire is small to a vampire.”
A pang of guilt raced through her heart. “No one was hurt, were they?”
Styx cautiously removed his heavy cape and tossed it onto a nearby chair. Darcy caught her breath at the sight of him in tight leather pants and a loose silk shirt that was sheer enough to give a hint of the perfect body beneath.
Even worse, his hair had been left loose to float about him like a river of ebony.
Dang it.
Men weren’t meant to be so incredibly beautiful.
Or to be able to make a woman hot and bothered just by being in the same room.
“Only DeAngelo’s pride.” Styx shrugged. “He’s none too pleased he was outwitted by such a tiny slip of a girl.”
Darcy sternly returned her attention to his bronzed face. She was supposed to be angry.
A bout of hot, sweaty sex was not on the agenda.
Not now, anyway.
“So, was he offended because I’m tiny or because I’m a girl?” she demanded.
“Both, I suspect.”
She gave a small snort. Vampires.
“Then I’m glad I hurt his pride.”
The dark eyes darkened even further as he took a step closer. “It was foolish of you to sneak away. You could have been harmed.”
“And you were worried you would lose your bargaining chip?” she demanded.
“Dammit, Darcy, I was worried about you,” he growled with a heat that sent a tingle down her spine.
Darcy abruptly turned to pace toward the large bay window. She wasn’t about to let him see just how much his concern meant to her.
Not when she didn’t know if his concern truly was for her and not his damnable vampires.
“As you can see I’m fine.”
“It was still a reckless stunt. You should have known better.”
Well that effectively squashed the small warmth that had begun to bloom in her heart.
She spun around to resume her glaring.
“And what about that stunt you pulled on me, huh? I wouldn’t have needed to sneak away if you hadn’t tried to brainwash me, you… you creep.”
The bronzed features tightened. In anyone but Styx she might have taken his expression as one of guilt.
This vampire, however, was far too arrogant to ever believe he could have been mistaken.
“I did it for your own good,” he predictably countered.
Darcy rolled her eyes. “Oh, give me a break. You did it because you couldn’t control me and that would never do for the oh-so-powerful leader of all vampires.”
His thin nose flared at her attack. “I was afraid that your desire for a family would overcome your good sense. And I was proven right.” In the dim glow of the lamp, he looked every inch the ancient king. An an cient king with fangs and enough power to make the curtains stir behind her. “You couldn’t wait to rush headlong into danger.”
Darcy lifted her chin. She wasn’t about to be intimidated.
Stupid, of course.
Anyone with even the tiniest amount of intelligence would be intimidated.
“I didn’t leave just because I wanted to learn the truth of my family.” She pointed her finger toward him. “I left because you betrayed me.”
“I—” He abruptly cut off his words, his power once again whipping through the room. Despite her best intentions, Darcy found herself taking a sharp step backward. Okay, maybe she was a little intimidated. About to take another step, she was halted when Styx gave a stiff nod of his head. “You’re right.”
She blinked. “I am?”
“Yes.” His hands clenched at his sides as he regarded her with his dark, hypnotic gaze. “I wanted you to stay, and I was willing to go to any length to keep you with me.”
Darcy suddenly found herself struggling to breathe. “Because you need me to negotiate with the werewolves?”
“No.”
“Because you’re afraid I might be a danger to your vampires?”
“No.”
“Because…” She gave a small squeak as Styx was suddenly standing directly before her, his arms wrapping about her to haul her firmly against his chest.
She hadn’t even seen him move.
“Because of this,” he whispered before his lips closed over hers.
Darcy grasped his arms as her knees went weak. Drat it. How was she supposed to be furious with him when he was kissing her as if he would perish without her?
Over and over he plundered her lips before moving to trace a string of frantic caresses over her face. Darcy gave a soft moan as searing pleasure raced through her body. There was magic in his touch that was irresistible. At last pulling reluctantly back, he regarded her with a stark vulnerability that nearly broke her heart.
“Darcy, don’t ever run from me. I can’t bear the thought that I might never hold you in my arms again.”
His head lowered as if he would once again befuddle her with his kisses, but with a strength she didn’t even know she possessed, Darcy pressed her hands to his chest.
“Styx, wait,” she commanded, not at all surprised when he instantly stilled to regard her with a watchful expression. For all his arrogance, Styx had never used his considerable strength to force her to his will. Just his freaking mind tricks, she reminded herself. Her spine stiffened, and she managed to narrow her gaze with a stern warning. “I want it very clear that I won’t be manipulated. I’m not a mindless doll that you can command whenever you feel the urge.”
His hand gently cupped her cheek. “I don’t want a mindless doll, angel, but it is very difficult for me.” A wry grimace rippled over his beautiful face. “I’ve been accustomed to giving orders and having them obeyed without question.”
Well, duh.
She would have to be a complete idiot not to know he was used to others scrabbling to bow to his every whim.
Still, it was difficult to believe that there weren’t a few people who didn’t treat him as a demigod.
“Surely you can’t order everyone about?” she demanded.
“Usually, yes.”
She gave a short laugh. “You must have chosen very pathetic girlfriends if they always allow you to have your own way.”
<
br /> “Girlfriends?” A frown touched his brow. “A vampire only mates once, and it is for an eternity.”
Her heart gave a painful stutter.
What would it be like to be this vampire’s mate?
To have his eternal devotion? His everlasting touch?
She abruptly thrust the dangerous thoughts away.
Dang it, Darcy, you’re supposed to be dragging his arrogant butt over the coals, not whining over things that can never be.
Forbidding her fingers to run over the hard muscles of his arms, she sucked in a deep breath and then promptly wished she hadn’t.
Cripes, but he smelled good.
Clean and male and exotically vampire.
“Surely you must have dated before?”
He had no rules for his own fingers as they drifted over her cheek and then over the unsteady line of her mouth.
“Not in the sense that you mean. I have occasionally taken lovers, but they were merely casual distractions. Vampires rarely form relationships.”
She shivered at his gentle touch. “That must be lonely.”
“We are solitary creatures. We do not possess a human’s need for attachment.”
“So I am a casual distraction?”
He briefly closed his eyes, as if he was battling some sharp surge of emotion.
“By the gods, there is nothing casual about the way you distract me, angel,” he answered as he stabbed her with a near angry glare. “You have bewitched and be fuddled and bedeviled me to the point of madness. I have not had a moment’s peace since I saw you standing in that bar.”
“Hardly surprising,” she muttered. “I would think kidnapping a woman would bother any vampire.”
He sent her a puzzled frown. “Actually vampires quite often kidnap mortal women. I have never done so, but for many of my brethren, it is a game that they enjoy.”
Darcy wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Okay, that’s not only creepy, but more information than I really wanted.”
He gave an impatient shake of his head. “Kidnapping is not why I find you distracting.”
“Then why?”
“Because you…”
She gave a lift of her brows as his words came to a halt. “I what?”
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