“I told you, I don’t regret that.”
A groan is my only defense. At least she’s no longer crying. “Oh, well then. Hop on daddy’s lap and give him a kiss.” I wriggle my eyebrows.
Her lips tighten like she’s trying not to laugh, but I can tell she gets my point. “Are you okay now?” I ask and pull on the vine ropes over my hands. “This is some sexy shit.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs, but I can tell she’s in her head.
“For restraining me and giving me my mind back?”
“No, I mean, thank you for saving me back at the train station.”
“Naw, don’t thank me. It was pure instinct.”
“What was?”
“Whisking you away to have my incubi way with you.”
She giggles, and it’s the sound of hummingbird wings and flower bells.
The carriage jostles, and the city of EverDark lies in the crater below Castle Raven Night, which stands over the buildings below like a sentry. It’s another five miles away, but the mist has cleared, and the overcast clouds fill the air with a crispness that outlines the darker castle.
I point my chin out the window and say, “That’s your new home.”
Everly plasters herself to the window. I can see her intimidation. “It’s… very gray.”
Dryads need sunlight, and I’m sad to think Everly’s happy constitution might fade from the lack of forest and bright light.
“It’s always gray.”
She looks up at me. “And, Harlow, it’s not my new home. Just as soon as I get this whole debacle figured out, I’m going to be on my way to Arcadia. You see.”
“Debacle? Did you actually just use that word?”
She frowns at me. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Um, who says debacle?”
She glares at me. “I just did.”
“I think you’re the only one in all of Dread who ever used that word.”
She frowns. I laugh. And then she giggles. And I want her all over again.
She sighs and leans back into her seat.
“Everly?” I keep the teasing out of my voice. “Promise me you won’t go into the city, at least not without an escort and never at night.”
“Thought you said I can’t go anywhere without a chaperone?”
I love when she plays with me. Everly isn’t nervous about my come-ons, nor is she shy about her naiveté. Her bold nature could get her in trouble with others of my kind. But I have to trust in her ability to defend herself. Besides, Count Cock won’t tolerate anyone messing with her while she’s here.
“You’ll be safe under the count’s protection. Once he takes you in, the law states you’re his to guard.”
“It does?” she asks.
I nod. “Must be nice to be under the umbrella of the strongest vampire in all of Dread.”
She looks down and picks at her nails in nervousness. “I won’t be here long enough to need his protection.”
She’s still clinging to hope.
“Still, he’ll provide whatever you need.”
Everly lifts her gaze, stone-faced. “Including a ticket home?”
Sigh. She has no idea what Riven has planned for her.
SEVEN♀♥♂♂♂♂EVERLY
Behind the smiles, the lustful gazes and the brooding guilt, I can tell Harlow is hiding something. There’s something in his eyes—something that says he knows more than he’s leading me to believe.
I’ve picked up on other cues about his inner psyche as well—it’s another side effect of being a dryad—my clairvoyant abilities. By the way others treat him, I’m positive people underestimate him. Or maybe they misjudge incubi in general.
But Harlow isn’t a fool. He plays at being sex-addled, and it’s the perfect disguise for whatever he’s up to, but he has moments of clarity. I’ve seen them. I’m pretty sure what he says about needing to be restrained to be set free is accurate, but it hurts my dryad soul, all the same. Dryads value freedom above all else. Yet, I understand Harlow’s need. The way he describes his feelings is almost accurate to textbook descriptions. A monster that can hardly stop himself from draining a victim’s energy. And the more the sexual yearning, the greater the danger to his victim.
But I can’t fully believe it.
I’ve seen inside him and I know Harlow isn’t weak-willed. But he’s afraid.
“I’ve never met a dryad before,” he tells me. “I’ve never even seen one.”
“Oh,” I’m not really sure what more to say.
He chuckles. “You aren’t curious as to what I think of you?”
I swallow. “I mean…”
The sultry gaze he’s giving me right now is… unsettling. I want to look away because I’m self-conscious but I force myself to hold it.
“I think you’re beautiful,” he says. “And probably the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
Me? Sexy? I’ve never thought of myself along those lines. And I hadn’t thought anyone else did either. “Thank you,” I say and can’t help the blush that steals my cheeks. “I think… I think you’re very handsome.”
Also, the bulge in his tight pants is impressive. If I had to be eaten by a monster, Harlow would be a good choice.
Which leads me to another question. “Do incubi ever kill someone by request?”
Harlow drops his light manner and easy smile. He almost looks angry. “I don’t have the constitution to assassinate people.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…” Great. Just blurt out whatever comes to mind, Everly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you… I was just curious.”
Harlow sighs. “I get the feeling you wouldn’t be able to offend someone even if you tried.”
I laugh. “Well, that’s not exactly true.”
Then he smiles at me and I smile back.
No matter what anyone says, he isn’t an unfeeling monster. I can tell just by the forlorn concern on his face.
“My brother, Lennox, he does that. I…” He
