Faerie Godmother: Mythic Series, Book 1 (13 page)

Ana flushed a becoming dark red hue and lowered her eyes. He found it as endearing as he did arousing.

“Come,” he coaxed. Vlane led her to a warm and cozy sitting area. “Tell me about your magic.”

Ana walked past the supple leather chair and settled herself into an oversized, upholstered one instead. Unwilling to put much distance between them, but not wanting to crowd her now that she seemed to be more at ease, Vlane chose the seat adjacent to hers.

“What do you want to know?” she asked.

Somewhat surprised by her easy acquiescence, he leaned back and asked, “Is blood necessary?”

It was a critical question. Throughout the ages, blood magic was the darkest and most powerful of all, often wielded beneath the guise of piety and innocence. From the précis Armand had given him, Fae magic was not historically blood-based, but every race had their secrets.

She focused her gaze on him. It was still wary, but she no longer seemed overly afraid of him. He took that as definite progress. Every minute he spent in her presence further convinced him she was his fated mate. Surely she must be feeling the rightness of it as well. If she could relinquish some of her fear, she might be able to recognize it. If only he could make her feel more comfortable...

“No. I can grant wishes at will, without blood.”

“Would you show me?” he asked, fascinated.

Ana hesitated before nodding. She held out her hand, did a graceful twisting motion, then presented him with a black silk handkerchief embroidered with a cursive V and M.

“Extraordinary,” he murmured, running the silk through his fingers. “And if I wanted something specific?”

“You could describe it to me, or I could simply touch you and get the sense of the wish directly.”

Vlane held out his hand to her. She looked at it for several long moments before reaching out and letting her fingers brush lightly against his.

In the next moment, Samson was beside her, laying his big black and white head in her lap.

Ana looked questioningly at Vlane. His eyes widened almost imperceptibly. “I wished for something that would make you feel more at ease here.” His lips tilted slightly. “I should have been more specific. Bast will not be pleased.”

Ana’s features softened. She stroked the big dog’s head as he nuzzled her, obviously happy to see her again. Based on the look of gratitude on her face, Vlane decided it was worth it. Bast was clever and resourceful enough to hold her own.

“I’m still trying to figure it all out,” she admitted. “But when someone takes my blood, he or she also takes my ability to control and censor the wish. The wish is granted in its purest form,” she explained. “In your case, I think you became human because at that moment, it is what your heart desired above all else.”

Vlane considered this. “And what if, in that moment, I desired the complete and utter destruction of the entire town?”

She didn’t answer him, but she didn’t have to. Darkness clouded her perfect eyes. Darkness did not belong on that beautiful face. “Hmm,” he hummed beneath his breath.

They sat for long moments in silence until she asked, “Is that why you want me?”

“No, Ana,” he said sincerely, hoping to ease her fears. “I have no intention of using you to vanquish my enemies, nor to obtain fame, wealth, or power. I have achieved all of those things on my own.” He smiled slightly. “There is only one thing I desire now.” He stared pointedly at her.

Her heartbeat quickened and he felt the instant rise in her body temperature. Yes, she understood exactly what he wanted. Her physical reaction told him she wanted the same thing, but she was fighting it.

“I will not grant that wish willingly,” she whispered.

He might have believed her, if he had not clearly heard the
yet
she had added silently to herself. Their mental connection was growing stronger with every passing minute.

He said nothing, continuing to stare at her, willing her to read his thoughts, to explore this miraculous bond they shared. He felt the tiniest brush, but she backed off almost immediately. It was disappointing, but as he had promised, he would be patient and earn her trust.

“Come. You must rest.”

He waited, hand extended, until she slipped her much smaller hand into his. His dormant heart stuttered at the contact, jolted by the power flowing through him and the knowledge that she was coming willingly.

With Samson trailing closely behind, he led her to his bedroom. Stopping just inside the door, her gaze went immediately to the massive four-poster bed on a raised dais, covered in midnight blue satin.

“This is your guest room?” she asked doubtfully.

“No. You will stay with me,” he told her, closing the door behind him.

“I don’t think so.”

He gave her an indulgent smile. Her weak attempts to refuse him had no real bite, yet they afforded her some measure of comfort as she grew to accept the idea that they belonged together. He would permit her to feel like she had some control, though they both knew it was a farce.

“It is the safest place for you. I am not the only vampire who lives on this estate. You have my word, I will not do anything you do not wish me to.”

Ana sighed, but she did not protest further. At least she was being sensible.

“Do you wish me to draw a bath for you?”

“Can you do it in my house?” she said with a tiny, wry grin.

He smiled at the hint of teasing in her voice. He much preferred that to her fear. “Not tonight. Please, Ana, grant me this small boon?”

“It was worth a shot.”

* * *

I
t was an effort to tear her eyes away from the massive bed approximately the size of her entire bedroom at the Sanctuary, especially when her mind’s eye was creating all sorts of wholly inappropriate scenarios involving that dark blue satin and one sinfully gorgeous master vampire. Whether it was his influence or her own overactive imagination, she didn’t know, but his feather-light touch along the small of her back was definitely not helping. It conjured images of other, more intimate caresses.

She might have gasped a little at one particularly vivid mental picture. Vlane looked down at her from beneath hooded lids, his black eyes glistening and filled with desire. Did this supposed mental connection they shared allow him to sense her thoughts?

His lips quirked slightly, answering that question.

Ana forcibly wrenched her attention away from the bed to take in the rest of her immediate surroundings. Tasteful, hand-carved hardwood furniture enhanced the space. Soft, recessed lighting gave the room an intimate feel. The dark blue carpet was so thick, her feet sunk down several inches with each step. It was elegant and understated, yet decadent and extravagant.

Much like the man himself
, she thought.

Vlane led her to the
en suite
bathroom. It was bigger than the studio apartment she’d had in veterinary school. The centerpiece was a sunken Jacuzzi tub, large enough to fit two comfortably. She watched as he ran the water, adjusting the temperature until satisfied. He opened no less than half a dozen brand new bottles of bath oils before he found one he liked. Then he methodically placed everything she could possibly want or need along the exquisitely tiled edge — soaps, creams, towels, exotic-looking sponges.

He draped a nightgown of pristine white silk beside the padded seat next to the tub, along with a matching silk robe and slippers.

“Have a lot of female guests, do you?” she asked, frowning at all of the feminine items he provided. A strange, unpleasant feeling rose up inside her at the thought. Though she’d never felt anything like it before, she recognized it as jealousy. And why, exactly, should she feel jealous over a man she barely knew?

Oh yes. Because they were fated
mates
.

“A vampire’s lair is a very personal space. You are the first female to enter mine.” For the first time, he looked a bit uncertain. “I have tried to anticipate your needs, but if you find anything lacking, please let me know and I will rectify the situation immediately.”

A spark ignited somewhere deep in her chest. She searched his dark eyes for some indication he was lying, but found none. He had done all of this for her? The jealousy faded, replaced by gratitude. “Thank you, Vlane. That is very thoughtful of you.”

“You are most welcome, Ana.” He hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, but didn’t. “I will leave you to your bath.” With an old-fashioned bow, he left her alone with Samson.

The Newfie settled his big, furry body down in front of the door. He glanced up at Ana and panted softly. She understood his silent message: no one would be getting into the bathroom without going through him first.

“Thanks, Samson,” she said softly. “I appreciate the effort.”

Ana ran her fingertips over the smooth tile, wondering at the size of the tub. Yes, she wanted to go home, but surely a soak in what had to be the most decadent looking spa tub she’d ever seen would be okay, wouldn’t it? And he had gone to all that trouble, which was really very sweet and thoughtful. It would be rude to refuse.

She undressed and slid into the scented water, unable to contain the groan of pleasure as she immersed herself in the hot water. After several minutes, she worked up the courage to turn on the twelve — twelve! — jets. Sinking back into the contoured seat, she let the pulsing water massage her from the bottoms of her feet all the way up to the base of her neck. She had never felt anything quite so deliciously indulgent before.

As her body relaxed, her thoughts naturally drifted toward her mysterious host and the unusual situation in which she now found herself. Was she now his prisoner?

No matter how much that might seem like the case, it didn’t
feel
like that — not at all. Vlane was treating her as if she was an honored guest, providing chef-quality meals and luxurious accommodations. She felt more like a pampered guest.

And it wasn’t as if he’d kidnapped her or forced her against her will. All it had taken was an invitation delivered in that smooth, rich, chocolate voice. Yes, they had some sort of telepathic connection, and she had felt the tug of his mild compulsion, but her will had remained her own. The need to comply with his request came from this inexplicable attraction she had to him. From a deep-seated desire strong enough to overcome her instinctual fear.

That was another thing — this strange bond between them. Vlane said it was because they were fated mates. Ana wasn’t quite convinced of that just yet, but she did have to admit the man affected her unlike anyone else ever had. Sure, she had found men attractive before, but what she felt around Vlane Masterson went far beyond simple attraction or garden-variety lust. Unlike with Matt, it wasn’t just her body that felt the pull, but her mind and heart as well. One look from those glittering, fathomless eyes stole her breath away.

The man had the most amazing eyes
, she mused. Outwardly, his expression rarely changed (she would describe it as quietly stoic), but she was already beginning to figure out his moods, mostly through his eyes. She never knew there were so many different shades of black. They flared when he was angry. Sparkled when he was amused. And when they were deep, like crushed velvet, but not glittering, he was calm and curious.

But there was so much more to him than his perfect, masculine beauty and hypnotic eyes. When he spoke, she felt it in every cell of her body, like a caress. And his scent, dark, rich, and decadent, immediately calmed her. Ironically enough, she felt even safer in Vlane’s lair than she had at the Sanctuary.

Could it be true, then? Could Fate or Destiny...or whatever controlled things, have determined the two of them belonged together?

It seemed impossible. Vlane was a master vampire and she...well, if Vlane was correct, she was one of the Fae. He was power personified and she was scared of her own shadow.

Yet, the very thought of him created a persistent tug upon her heartstrings, along with other, more embarrassing sensations. Beneath the water, her breasts swelled, her nipples hardened, and deep in her center, that persistent, slow-burning ache sparked into flame.

* * *

A
na?
Vlane probed in her mind. He’d been pacing in his bedroom for nearly an hour, fighting the urge to go back to her. She called to him on such a visceral level. It was rather disturbing, really. Maybe it was part of her Fae magic, a spell of sorts she used, just as he could use his voice and will to compel.

Yesss
, she answered back, her mental voice a sleepy drawl that had his cock swelling. Listening closely, he could hear that her heartbeat had slowed considerably.

Is everything all right? Is there anything you require?

Mmm, yes. A few more minutes in this heavenly tub, please.
Her voice was a purr in his mind.

Surely the water must be cold by now.

I don’t care.

Vlane smiled, feeling a small sense of triumph. He had found something that Ana liked about being here. Hopefully, there would be much more to follow.

I
t was an effort not to stare; she looked magnificent in the white silk gown. Like an angel.

“Where are you going to sleep?” she asked as he turned down the midnight blue duvet and pulled back the sheets so she could climb into the massive bed.

“I do not sleep,” Vlane said matter-of-factly.

She blinked. “Never? How does that work?”

“I rest. It is more of a meditative state than actual slumber.”

“Oh.”

“Tonight, I will lay with you.”

“Um...”

“It is for your safety, Ana.” It was partially true. He could sense Kristoff prowling around the mansion, seeking the source of Ana’s unique and enticing scent. Kristoff was loyal to him, but until he fully claimed Ana for himself, he would not take any unnecessary chances. But mostly, he just wanted to be near her, keep her in his sight.

“You have my assurance, I will do nothing more than watch over you. Are you warm enough? Shall I start a fire for you?”