A Tangle of Hearts (A Shade of Vampire #44)(57)

“I don’t know either, Draven. This is new to both of us,” I managed to say and bit into my lower lip. I could still taste his kiss.

He smiled radiantly, took my hand, and we moved toward the bridge, our fingers intertwined.

“Let’s not make it awkward then,” he retorted.

All I could do was smile and hold on.





Jovi





[Victoria & Bastien’s son]





I woke up with a pounding headache. My eyes felt sore in their sockets as I slowly regained consciousness from a very deep sleep. I couldn’t even remember dreaming. My whole body throbbed, like I’d fallen down a flight of stairs. Repeatedly.

What the hell happened last night?

That internal question swiftly triggered a dazzling array of memories. I sat up and checked my surroundings. I was inside one of the tents that the succubi had raised for us, resting on top of soft animal furs and pillows.

The succubi…

The previous night’s feast flashed before my eyes—the strange savory preparations, the sweet kind-of plums, the spicy rose drink in golden pitchers that I kept gulping down like water…

Oh. The drink.

Then came the memories of the giant bonfire’s flames licking at the sky with a plethora of sparks crackling upwards into a column of smoke, the tribal drums beating frenetically as scantily dressed succubi danced and swayed their voluptuous hips to the rhythm, Anjani talking to Hansa on the other side of the fire, beautiful young succubi trying to seduce me, and Anjani claiming me.

She claimed me!

I looked over to my right and found her sleeping next to me, curled up beneath a light brown blanket stitched from animal hides. Sunshine pierced through the tent’s seams, and one ray of light landed directly on her face. Her skin shimmered in it. Her chest rose with each breath.

I remembered her tormented words from last night—her insecurities about me, the frustration over her succubus nature, and the way it affected people around her. She’d been so reserved around me, afraid she’d influence my behavior toward her. When I’d run my fingers through her hair, she had lit up like a star and then questioned the authenticity of my gesture. She’d feared it was her succubus effect rather than my own intent.

I’d been too drowsy to object. The spicy rose drink had enhanced my senses to incredible new levels, while the entire succubi tribe had projected their desires on me. I had been pretty out of it. Looking back now, fully awake and in possession of a migraine, I was pretty sure I had meant what I’d said to her.

I had told her I liked her.

What was I thinking?

Clearly I hadn’t been thinking.

What’s done is done.

I took a breath of resolve. I looked at Anjani again, sleeping peacefully next to me. I lay back on my side, drawing myself close to her.

I decided to enjoy the view for as long as I had. I took in her every curve, every inch of glimmering skin, full lips that begged to be kissed, the thin blade of her nose. My insides burned at the sight of it all. My breath was ragged, and I felt myself biting the inside of my cheek, unable to take my eyes off her.

And then it hit me. She was sleeping. There was no way she was working any succubus charms on me while sleeping. That meant everything I felt in that moment was very much real and very much my own doing.

I was attracted to a succubus I barely knew anything about, and what I knew belonged in a book on wartime brutality in indigenous tribes. She was the heir to an entire clan of warrior females expected to treat men like chunks of meat with simple and limited uses. Yet she had expressed a desire to be genuinely liked by someone.

By me.

My fingers found a solitary strand of her black hair, reaching out to me on the blanket between us. I played with it, letting it curl around my index finger as I listened to the sound of her breathing.

Slowly but surely I found a new objective. I would explore this further. I would see where it took me. I would ride this wave with her until she gave in to me.

I moved in just enough to feel her breath on my face.

She’s perfect.

Her eyes opened wide. Her breathing stopped. I could hear her heart as it started drumming in her chest. I almost lost myself in those infinite pools of emerald green and golden flakes as her pupils dilated. Her lips parted slowly and, for a brief moment, I wondered what would happen if I kissed her.

She didn’t give me a chance.

She pushed me back, her palms slamming into my chest with considerable force. I slid backwards on my side, and the air was knocked out of my lungs.

Anjani shot to her feet so quickly, I didn’t fully register the movement. She stared at me, speechless and glowing again like I’d seen her do last night. Then, she ran out.

It took me a few deep breaths to recover. I stood up and rubbed my hands all over my face, pleased to see my resolve was still there. I would get to her. One way or another, she would open up to me.



I stepped outside after I changed my clothes and quickly washed my face in the little basin that had been left there for me by our hosts.

Morning unraveled gently over the mountains, dressing everything in a pinkish hue. The trill of birds and murmur of cold springs running freely put a smile on my face. The sun rose big and bright as if encouraging me to keep going.

My chest swelled with optimism, and I watched the succubi prepare for the day— some going about their chores, others sharpening their swords and lacing their arrows with poison for a shape-shifter hunt, and some washing clothes in the stream.