Page 42 of Sold to the Dark Vampire Prince

“I assume you saw the press briefing?” Sera said.

“The start of it. I was intercepted on the road and—” Dani waved a hand. “It doesn’t really matter. I saw the first minute or so.”

“I fainted just like you did,” Alex said. “Sera and I don’t understand why this is happening. All I can come up with is that perhaps because it’s been so long since I last fed from a sanguine, my feeding instinct has gone into overdrive.”

“But then why would I be getting sick?”

“We can’t figure that part out. I don’t believe you would have purposefully ingested anything that could have caused us both to be experiencing these symptoms.”

She gasped. “You think I tried to poison you?”

Alex shook his head. “Even if I did, which I don’t, your blood was tested at the auction house prior to the sale. It was clean.”

“I have another theory.” Sera was watching the two of them curiously. “One you may not like. After Alex fed from you, did the two of you have any physical contact?”

Dani felt her cheeks grow hot. “Does that matter?”

“We didn’t.” Alex reached out to touch her shoulder. “What are you thinking?”

“That this may be a simple biological response. And there may be an easy way to solve it.”

“Consummation after feeding isn’t required. Vampires feed every day without sleeping with their sanguines.”

“But not young, unmated ones.” Sera gestured between them. “Like it or not, you two have an obvious connection. I can see why Lara looked like she was about to come unhinged during that live broadcast.”

“You picked up on that, too?” Alex said dryly.

“So, you think we need to, what exactly?” Dani bit the edge of her thumbnail. “You’re saying that for the fainting spells to end, we would have to sleep together?”

“No,” Alex said sharply, glaring at his sister. “I swore to you before that I wouldn’t touch you.”

“And I appreciate that.” Dani rubbed her arms. “But if we’re only going to get sicker, I don’t know what choice this leaves us with. I mean, how far would we have to go?”

“I don’t know.” Sera shrugged. “I actually can’t explain why you’re sick at all, Dani. Theoretically, Alex should be the only one impacted.”

“All sanguines take some vampire venom into their veins with each feeding. It’s how blood addiction slowly occurs over time.” Dani pressed fingers to her throat. “But it’s supposed to take dozens of feedings before you get to that point. What if that’s what we’re seeing? Is it possible that I’m just really unlucky?”

“I’ve never seen blood addiction take hold after one feeding,” Sera said. “But you’re right. I can’t say for certain what’s happening between you and Alex. I’ve been trying to pull any scientific studies we have in the royal libraries on the subject of feeding and sanguines, but between the riots and me being barred from the castle, it’s been difficult to source the material I need. Dante is trying to send me everything he can without getting caught.”

“If Alex feeds from me again, won’t that increase the risk?” She pictured Nadine’s pale sunken cheeks, her stringy hair, and thought of how vibrant her stepmother had once been.

“It absolutely will, and I won’t do it.” Alex leaned against the wall, rotating a small jar candle where it flickered on a bookshelf. “I won’t put you at risk. There has to be another way we’re not considering.”

“If it’s blood addiction, one more feeding isn’t going to make a difference in the long run,” Sera reasoned. “But if, in fact, you’re both being sickened because Alex comes from a strong vampiric line and his body is rebelling after three years of not feeding in the traditional way, then I would be inclined to say, try it again and,” she cleared her throat, “give in to biology, at least a little.”

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t like this.”

“Neither do I, but I’m not sure we have any better options.”

He nodded. “Sera, could you give us a moment?” When the door clicked shut behind his sister, he said, “We don’t have to do this.”

Dani crossed over to the window. Outside, the city had grown quiet. Carefully, she pulled the curtain back to stare out at the falling snow.

“I think we’re out of options, like she said. I’ve been getting progressively sicker throughout the day and so have you. If this is because we didn’t do things right the first time, then I say we try again. One more time. Not that.” She spun quickly, flushing as soon as their eyes met. “Not that you’re unappealing.”

A faint smile crossed his lips. “For all the slightly crazed stalkers who have written rather unhinged poetry addressed to Crown Prince Alexander over the years, one even containing seventeen verses comparing me to a raven in winter, I think not unappealing might be the best compliment I’ve ever received.”

She poked him in the chest. “You know perfectly well what I mean, and don’t you dare make me text Evan and have her bring me my saucepan.”