The Vampire's Bride (Atlantis #4)(65)

A gasp escaped her. "Annoying?"

"You continually ask questions and repeat what I say."

"What questions have I asked?" she demanded, then felt color heat her cheeks as he gave her a droll look. With the color, however, came strength, her limbs trembling less. Had he purposely baited her to help her retain her balance?

Dear gods. Now she was questioning herself. "Never mind. You are not as evil as you would have the world believe," she told him, neither asking a question nor repeating something he'd said.

"You're right."

He was agreeing with her now? That was a first.

"I'm worse."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't believe you. Tell me the worst thing you've ever done."

"I can tell you that," Brand said, suddenly speaking up.

Layel bared his fangs at the dragon.

That man and his hate. He was eaten alive with it, had condemned an entire race for one woman's death. You would do the same had it been one of your sisters. That would have to change, she thought. For both of them. She didn't like the thought of Layel being consumed by anything save desire. His touch - and his smiles - were simply too wondrous.

She leveled a narrowed glance at Brand. While she wanted Layel's secrets, she wanted the vampire to be the one to tell them to her. "Keep speaking, and I'll tell the entire assembly something about you. Something you wish I didn't know."

Nola, who stood at the far end, leaned forward. "Speak louder. I want to hear this."

Zane stared at the girl, his expression dark. Brand, too, looked over at her and tilted his head to the side thoughtfully. Nola caught his look and blushed. Actually blushed like an untried girl, though Delilah knew she had once been given a captive male as a reward for demonstrating unparalleled bravery on the battlefield. Perhaps, though, she had left the man untouched and spent the night alone. Perhaps she'd wanted something more than mere capitulation from a lover, as Delilah did.

If she kept looking between them, Delilah mused, she was going to fall. She carefully replanted her heels on the log. Heard a splash in the distance. Her back straightened, and she gazed down the line, searching.

The demon on her team had fallen. He came up sputtering. The two centaurs, who'd twisted to watch the creature swim to the beach, fell next, unable to balance their hooves any longer. Delilah shook her head - dizzy, stop! - and sighed.

"Amazon," Brand called suddenly.

Delilah blinked at him, but he wasn't watching her. His gaze was still glued on pretty Nola.

"Stop glancing between your sister and the vampire. You'll fall," he said.

Nola raised her fist at him before glaring straight ahead.

"Ah, look at that. An Amazon who obeys a man's command without question. A novelty indeed," Layel said.

Delilah turned back to him, pulse jumping at the sound of his husky voice. Gods, he was beautiful. Striking and full of verve. A protector in a predator's skin. "Are all vampires angry, snarling beasts?"

He inclined his head. "Just me. Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"You're sure?"

"Look who's asking questions now," she told him smugly. A swift survey of the contestants had her noticing the other vampire's gaze was once more on her friend. "Your warrior watches my sister with dark intentions in his eyes, as though he wants her for dinner."

Layel's gaze slowly perused Delilah's face. "That displeases you, I see. Jealous?"

There was so much anger in the question, she was momentarily taken aback. And then, gods help her, she was smiling. "Are you?"

He didn't answer. He even looked away as if dismissing her. But he didn't dismiss. He merely said, "I am not jealous," his tone quiet, calm. "But I think I would kill even my own brother, if I had one, if you decided to take him as a lover."

Water splashed. There was a vile curse.

The other demon had fallen.

"How do you feel?" Layel asked before she could respond to his angry - wondrous - announcement.

Tired, weak, shaky. Unsure. "Fine."

His gaze slid back to her in another lingering perusal, hot, stopping in all the places she wanted his mouth to travel. He licked his lips as if remembering the taste of her. For once - twice? A third time? - nothing around her mattered but a man. Her weakness was forgotten. The game was forgotten. Consequences were forgotten. Only Layel existed.

"You never told me the worst thing you ever did."

A muscle ticked below his eye. "Why do you wish to have such information? What purpose could it possibly serve?" There was genuine perplexity in his voice.

"I want to know you better. That's all."

A warm blast of sea-kissed air blustered about them, whipping his hair around his face and causing her mouth to water. He didn't have a shirt on and his pants were ripped. Every hard rope of muscle and sinew he possessed was bared to her view. She couldn't help but marvel at the sight. I held this powerful man in my arms.

He didn't have any scars. She'd always thought she'd desire a man with scars - proof that he did not back down from a fight. Proof that he'd fight for her. Vorik had possessed many. But she wanted Layel far more than she'd ever wanted the dragon - who hadn't fought for her after all. The vampire's skin was velvet-covered steel, smooth and strong, and tempted her as nothing else ever had.