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It closes behind him with a resoundingthud.
Suddenly, we’re alone again.
He and I.
This man’s authority is absolute.
Even his learned physician doesn’t dare question his commands.
Why is my heart pounding like this? Why do I feel a thrill of excitement at the possibility thathemight be the one?
“Finley.” The sound of his voice stirs a flutter inside my chest. “Let’s pick up where we left off.”
He doesn’t move from his spot against the wall. There’s a stillness about him that’s unnerving; he doesn’t shift and fidget like an ordinary human would.
I’m intimidated, but I can’t afford to show it. “You aren’t going to force me to drink that wine, are you?”
“I’m not going to force you to drink the wine,” he says calmly.
“Then might I ask that you at least introduce yourself? It’s hardly fair that you know my name when I’m completely ignorant as to yours.”
He stares at me for a moment, brows drawing together. I force myself to be still under his scrutiny, even though it feels like he’s sifting through my innermost thoughts.
If I’m right about his identity, then he’s probably used to people fawning over him and not questioning his orders.
The corner of his mouth quirks. “Finley, I’m Corvan. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier, but on both occasions, there were far more pressing matters to deal with.”
Corvan.
I stare at him, shaken to the very core. Hearing him say it aloud is another thing altogether.
It’s really him.
The very mention of this man’s name evokes fear and fascination throughout the empire, and he’s right here in front of me, crimson-eyed and dangerous, and the bastarddrankfrom me, not once, buttwice…
I take in his elegant features. The resemblance is certainly there. Once you’ve seen it, it’s impossible tounseeit. There’s no doubt he’s related to the man whose portrait hangs in every castle, shop, and institution in the empire.
But he isn’t a carbon copy of his father.
He’s a more refined version of the original, with different colored hair and eyes, and unearthly speed and strength, andfangs.
“YourHighness.” I draw on every last shred of my self-control to keep from shaking. I don’t want him to see how angry I am. “Is that the kind of man you are? That you would allow us to pass through your treacherous lands with not even an escort to meet us at the border, and then you have the indecency to take advantage of me like that?”
He shakes his head, a puff of exasperation escaping his lips. “If I hadknownyou were coming, I would have met you at the border myself. I suspect you had little choice in the matter, but whoever told you to make this trip in the middle of winter is a complete and utter fool. Your sudden appearance caught me completely unaware. A bad idea, with my current state.” Corvan Duthriss’s voice turns dangerously quiet. “Was your father behind this, Finley?”
I bite my tongue, knowing very well that he has father locked up in his dungeon. “I-I don’t understand. You mean to tell me that you didn’tknowI was coming?”
“I did not.”
“How is that possible? It was all arranged. Theemperorhimself approved it.”
“Apparently, he did. But I had no inkling of it whatsoever until you turned up in the middle of the road, flogging that poor horse like you were trying to outrun the Seven Furies themselves.”
“I was desperate.”
“I know. You did the right thing, Finley. You’re just fortunate I was the first person you came across.” His expression softens. “Who knows? Maybe fate had a hand in it.”
Fate?I want to scream, but I hold myself still.You bloody bastard, youbitme!
