Page 7 of Birthright

“I-I need to go for a walk,” I said as I turned from the mirror and headed for the archway leading away from the dining room.

Manus bowed. “Please stay inside the castle.” I looked away before the tears came. I heard Hogan asking why I was crying as I left the room. Manus sniggered and told him that his question was why he was still an unmarried Gnome.

CHAPTER 3

Ifound myself on the roof of the castle in the early spring night. I had gone there often to think and get some fresh air. It was one of my favorite places in the castle. The forest below spread out for miles, and I could just barely see the twinkling lights from a village in the distance. The moon was high and bright but not quite full. The air was very cool, but my tolerance for the cold had gotten stronger along with everything else. The night was alive and I felt it.

I ran my hands over the fine bodice of the gown, leaving them on my stomach. I opened my mind as Bevin had been trying to get me to do and inhaled deeply. That glowing feeling started in my womb. I felt on fire but nothing hurt…it was a wild warmth that came from me, through me. I gave in to the force I felt growing and concentrated on it, pushed at it. I let it search outward to the night, feeling the life force of the creatures that rummaged through the forest far below the castle tower. Each one responded to the call, sending a small acknowledgment to the life force within me.

Bevin was right. Letting the power be part of me opened a new level of understanding of this world. Of myself, of what it meant to be Priestess of the Wild.

“Priestess.”

The deep growl came as a plea from behind me. I turned to find a new life force and—wow! What a force. It was attached to a tower of a man who was looking up at me from a bowed position.

“Forgive me for intruding on your private time, priestess. I’m sure you’ve had precious little of it since coming here.” He stood and the moonlight hit his eyes. Black Vampire eyes. Thick, golden hair was neatly tied back, showing off the strong lines of a powerful jaw. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt and gray tie. The cut of the jacket enhanced broad shoulders and an expansive chest that tapered down to a trim waist. Even with my new height, he stood a good six inches above me. I swallowed hard when I realized he was looking me over as closely as I was him. I blushed like a schoolgirl.

“Tynan,” he said in a sultry voice that flowed over my skin like silk. “I hope my home has been to your liking.” He moved farther out of the shadows and I got an even better look at him.

Bevin was right again. No sooner had I opened my mind than my body started talking to me in ways it never had.

I was lusting for this man—this Vampire! I felt his gaze right down to my slipper-encased toes.

I tried to steady myself enough to speak. “Lord Tynan,” I squeaked. He smiled at me, making my pulse race. “Thank you for your protection. I’ve been very comfortable here. Someday, maybe I’ll be able to return the favor.” Thankfully, the last part came out sounding somewhat normal. His gaze stayed on my face, making me a little nervous. I adjusted the long skirt of the gown to have something to do with my hands.

“I see little Hogan has not lost his touch in dressing beautiful women. That gown is a piece of art. The way it brings out your eyes is breathtaking.” I swallowed hard. My body was aching for him and I couldn’t manage to find any real control over the sensation or any ability to hide it. Damn this new discovery! He turned away from me to look over the stone walls into the night. “This is my favorite spot to come in the evenings when I’m here.”

“Where exactly is here?” I relaxed a little. Having something casual to talk about made the feelings inside me less frightening.

“You were not told?” He let out the tiniest of snorts, humor playing at the corners of his lips. “You have been living in the Castle Dracula.” He watched to catch my expression.

“No freaking way.” I blurted it out before I could restrain myself. He chuckled slightly, and I blushed again. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t very ladylike. I just meant…I would have thought that Dracula’s castle would be some kind of tourist trap these days.”

“Hmm. One would think, but it’s too remote. Very few venture past the village below. Those who do attempt the trek are easily frightened away by the staff.”

I studied him again. Vampire. He didn’t seem scary at all. Delicious, yes—scary, no. “I bet,” I said. “Hiding in plain sight.”

“I’m glad you appreciate the irony. It’s lost on many of my kind.” He looked over the countryside. “It’s actually a sanctuary. I spend far too much time among the humans and their hurried world. I come back here for the quiet.”

I had a million questions for the sexy Vamp—most of which had to do with the instant attraction I felt for him. Was he looking at me that way for the same reason I was drooling over him? Or was it just bloodlust? Would he hurt me?

He obviously saw the uncertainty on my face and lifted one finely sculpted brow. “You do know that most Vampire lore in modern fiction is untrue?”

I looked down, embarrassed. Most everything I thought I’d known about Witches had turned out to be wrong. The only Vampire I’d seen was Feldema’s consort. I should have known not to use that campy Vamp as a guide.

“I’ve had so much to learn in the last few weeks, Lord Tynan. I’m sorry I don’t know the true nature of the Vampire. I hope I haven’t offended you.” I kept my eyes down in respect. Bevin had taught me much of the politics within the Kith. He held a title, was a member of the council, and I had insulted him. Not a good thing. Time to play submissive and apologize.

He took my face in his warm hands, lifted it to his and took a step closer, so close I could smell his skin. It was the same scent that filled my bed, a rich, fresh forest…

I’ve been sleeping in his bed. I knew at once the thought was true. My knees felt suddenly wobbly as he looked into my eyes.

“You haven’t offended me, priestess. Your concern for my feelings is a great compliment. I thank you for it.” He didn’t move away and I didn’t have the will to pull back. I wondered if he could feel my attraction. It was all I could feel at the moment. I wanted to be in his presence, in his arms, his life.

“Would it be rude to ask the true nature of your kind, my lord?” Still staring into those dark eyes, I could see now that they weren’t truly black but a deep, luxurious blue. A shade darker than the gown I was wearing. The gown that suddenly felt far too confining.

He let go of my face and smiled. “Of course not. We⁠—”

“Keena, are you all right?” It was Manus. He darted around the stone wall behind us. “Oh!” He stopped short and bowed deeply. “Lord Tynan. I didn’t realize you had returned.”