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Raúl nods, though I see a slight twitch in his eyes. “If you ever change your mind, you always have a place here. In the meantime, would you like to see more of the castle?”
The thought of traipsing around such a large castle simultaneously fills me with anticipation and dread. Leaving the safety of the rooms I know seems like too much. Raúl says, “Or I can show you only the kitchen?”
With a sigh of relief, I say, “Yes, I would like that. And could I see your rooms, if possible?”
“Certainly.” Raúl stands up and offers me his hand. I take it, the delicious tingles traveling up my arm. Not letting go, we leave the library after Raúl informs me the books will be delivered to my room.
We walk down the hallway, heading back to the room I have officially named the Throne Room, at the very least in my head. On one side of the grand staircase is a wooden door, and he opens it, revealing stairs going down. There’s enough space for us to walk down side by side. At the bottom of the stairs is an open archway.
Raúl grins at me. “You have to see this.”
He walks through the archway and I go along. My eyes widen as I take in the sight before me. The kitchen is extremely spacious, with an oven easily three times the size as the one we have. On one side of the oven is a large wooden door. Raúl opens it, eager to show me what it is. I step inside and shelves surround the walls, with stacks upon stacks of food, fresh and preserved.
He comes into the pantry with me and reaches up to a shelf and takes down a small bottle. He hands it to me and I open it, carefully sniffing the contents. Cinnamon.
“You have so much of it!” I exclaim, fascinated.
He puts it back, grinning at me. “Anytime you want to bake something, I can bring you ingredients. Or you could stay here, use whatever you want, whenever you want.”
Suddenly, I realize I am in an enclosed space with Raúl. I step closer to him, determined. He doesn’t move, and I wrap my arms around his torso. I tilt my head up and look into his eyes.
“Raúl?” I ask. My voice wavers and I clasp my shaking hands together behind his back. “Will you kiss me?”
Chapter Twenty
Raúl’s red eye darkens, and he brushes his knuckles down my cheek. “Are you sure, Penny? We haven’t known each other for long.”
“Yes.”
I press against him, and he leans even closer. “I shouldn’t,” he whispers.
I know I shouldn’t, either. He’s a vampire. The first male I’ve been around. The only man I’ve talked to ever. I probably should meet a handful of others before deciding on only one.
Then I think about how the only touch I’ve know all my life is the harsh pain of my mother’s. Of Raúl’s gentle touch when my emotions were uncontrollable.
Screw it. I don’t care about meeting other men. I know I like Raúl here, now.
His hot breath washes over my ear. “I know better than to take advantage of you.”
“If I’m asking, it’s not taking advantage,” I say, loving the feel of his hard body against mine. Suddenly, I notice a slight jolt in my ribs and I pull back. “What was that?” I ask.
He grunts, and reaches into his front vest pocket, taking out his watch. He flips it open. “Yes, Mother?”
“I know what is happening with Penny’s hair. Please, come at once.”
Raúl closes the pocket watch and stares into my eyes. “We don’t have to go now,” he whispers. “We can continue… this.”
I lean up and kiss him on the nose. “I want to know, though.”
Raúl sighs and puts a hand to his forehead dramatically. “If we must.”
I laugh as he takes my arm. We arrive at Carmen’s room, and before I even raise a hand to knock, Beth opens the door. “Come in, come in.”
We both sit on the sofa across from Carmen. She holds a paper and her expression is serious. “Penny, what has your mother ever said about your hair?”
My eyebrows knit together as I recall. “Never cut it. It’s the only material strong enough to be a rope with the magic on the tower. That’s it.”
She holds up the paper. “A letter from my close friend arrived. I sent her your hair by messenger yesterday.” She pauses. “It says your hair contains potent magic, stronger than anything she has seen before.”
