A Tangle of Hearts (A Shade of Vampire #44)(25)

My stomach churned, and I wondered whether he was aware of what he was doing, of his effect on me. It struck me as particularly brazen given his usual reserve toward me, which baffled me even more. Until he spoke.

“The weather’s good for travel today,” he said.

What?

I was confused.

He got out of bed, shortening the distance between us.

“How do you know?” I asked, trying to get my breathing under control and my eyes off his lips.

Draven cocked his head to one side and whipped out an all-knowing smirk.

“I can feel it on my tongue,” he replied, and it occurred to me that snakes used their tongues for smell, picking up the tiny moisture particles in the air. The Druid on magic herbs was a supercharged Druid and thus able to fully use his serpent abilities while not in snake form.

Embarrassment poured over me like a bucket of hot water, burning my cheeks and making me cringe, as I realized I had confused his tongue flicking for a sexual gesture.

I quickly remembered my purpose for coming to see him in the first place.

“I’m coming with you today,” I declared, my chin high and steel threaded into my resolve.

A moment passed before he replied. “Out of the question.”

“Nope, I am coming with you. There’s no way I’m letting you go by yourself.” My determination echoed in my voice.

“You’re not leaving the mansion. The shield is the only thing keeping you alive right now.”

“No, I’m keeping myself alive. Stop underestimating me,” I shot back and took a step forward.

“Serena, you’re not coming. I can’t risk you getting hurt. There are shape-shifters and all kinds of other equally deadly creatures in the jungle,” Draven replied. He took a step toward me, shrinking the distance between us. My heart pumped voraciously in my chest, and I tried hard to control it, all-too aware that he could hear it.

I tried to reason with him instead. “You’re about to go see a tribe of warrior succubi you know very little about. I don’t know about you, but I’m not comfortable with that thought.”

He raked a hand through his hair, a sign that he was wavering just a little bit. He thought it over for a second, then put on his typical smirk. “Worried they’ll try to seduce me?”

His blood-boiling arrogance was his weapon of choice for distracting me. Unfortunately for him, I was much better equipped to force him into submission.

“Don’t be a jerk! They could kill you on sight!” I retorted.

“No.”

“Draven, I am coming with you, whether you like it or not. You might find my sentry abilities useful. I might even save your ass for once, if push comes to shove!”

“No.”

“Keep saying no, if it makes you feel like you’re in charge, but I am coming with you. If you leave without me, I will follow you. There’s no way I’m not coming. Get that through your thick, Druid head.”

I exhaled and took another step forward. He towered over me, his face inches from mine. I held my breath, while he licked his lower lip, then bit it.

The silence weighed heavy between us, while I prepared my last blow.

“I’m not letting you go without me.”

“Serena…”

His shoulders dropped as he exhaled his defeat. “Fine,” he said. “Fine.”

I grinned with tremendous satisfaction but couldn’t take my eyes off his face. His jaw was clenched, the muscle throbbing.

“I really can’t put up with your stubbornness this early in the morning,” Draven added, irritation dripping from his voice.

I wasn’t fazed. I’d won. It felt too good.

“I need to get dressed,” he said.

“I’ll help,” I automatically said and fetched a shirt from his dresser.

He stood in the middle of the room, motionless, as I took his hand and placed the white linen garment in it. His fingers clutched it for a brief moment, then he moved to put it on.

I watched quietly as his arms stretched, one at a time, to sink into the sleeves. His muscles extended and vanished beneath the fabric. One button at a time, his torso was comfortably hugged by the shirt, his fingers meticulous and patient.

I pulled a dark chestnut coat from the dresser and gave it to Draven to put on. Not that I was an expert in 1800s fashion, but I couldn’t help but gawk at the sight of him and the way the layers of velvet and linen wrapped around his body and further amplified his tall figure.

He sat back on the bed and asked for his boots, which I handed over from the side of the bed. He pulled the thick leather Wellingtons up.

I opened my mouth to ask him about the Daughter again. After all, I’d already defeated him once in a game of wills.

“Don’t even bother asking me about the Daughter again,” he said. “I’m really not in the mood for another history lesson right now.”

I pouted, wondering if I really was that predictable.

“How did you—”

“I’m getting to know you better than you think, Serena,” he interjected, his voice soft and deep. He stood up. “I’m well aware of your interest in the matter, and I will endeavor to tell you more once we reach the Red Tribe. I’m just kindly asking that you have some patience with me.”

I nodded. It made sense, and we’d made great progress since our first day here. He was beginning to open up, but he was doing it in his own rhythm, bending his own rules in the process. I decided to give him some space on the issue until we reached the tribe. I secretly made a note to nevertheless try sneaking a question on the way there, just to see if I could.