“LikeLord Arnaud.” She clapped her hand over her mouth, but thewords had already slipped out.
Hereached over, his cool fingers pulling her hand down.
“Exactlylike Arnaud. He is a bully. You know this to be true.”
Shetried not to react to his touch, but her pulse betrayed her.
Contactoutside of feeding was such a rare thing. Beneath her clothing, herskin pebbled with the sensation. She crooked her head toward thewindow and stared into the blackness beyond.
Answeringhim would mean exposing herself more than she already had. What ifthis was a test? What if Dominic and Arnaud were good friends? Herbelly coiled at the thought that her every move might be reportedupon.
Dominic’sthumb brushed her ring. “Pretty.”
Sheturned but didn’t make eye contact. “Thank you. It was agift from Lord Arnaud.” The only thing he’d ever givenher.
“Youwere playing with it. I heard it clicking. What does it do?” Helifted her hand, studying the ring.
“Do?”He lifted her hand, studying the ring.
“This.”She caught the tiny indentation disguised in the ring’sfiligree and notched the hidden blade out. “Al comarréwear one so we may drain excess blood in an emergency. Too much inour systems makes us sick.”
Hisforehead crinkled. “Arnaud gave this to you? How do all comarréwear one, then?”
“Weare all issued one, but the one I had previously wasn’t as niceas this one, although this one is a bit larger.” She’dinitially worn Arnaud’s gift because not wearing it would havecreated more trouble than it was worth. Now she’d grown used toit.
Helet go of her hand, leaving her oddly bereft at the loss of histouch, and sat back. His appraising gaze seemed to peer into hersoul. “I did not mean to upset you, bella. I just want you toknow that while you are with me, you needn’t be afraid or walkon eggshells I am not Arnaud. You are human, as I once was.
Givendifferent circumstances, our positions could be reversed, could theynot?”
Theycould, but for him to acknowledge that? It scared her that he couldbe so aware. She turned back to the window and tried to ignore thescared woman staring back at her. “I would like to sleep alittle.”
“Rest,Marissa. I will bother you no more this trip.” He went backacross the aisle.
Whathad she gotten herself into? Already she felt his words sinking intoher like a balm of hope. If he really meant what he said… Shesqueezed her hands into fists. She always wanted too said… Shesqueezed her hands into fists. She always wanted too much. Rennatahad told her so and she knew it to be true, but she couldn’tstop the desire for something more than this life. To give up thathope would be to die.
Sheclosed her eyes, the reckless thoughts of the last few days heavy onher mind. Holy mother, if you want me to pursue this, give me a sign.Show me a path. Show me a way out.
Chapter Three
Dominiccalled out directives for his staff as soon as he and Marissa enteredhis palazzo. The trip had tired him only slightly, so no doubt shewould be feeling it more. What he was feeling was sunrise, onlyminutes away now. If not for the potion he’d taken, the pull ofdaysleep would have been impossible to overcome. “Prepare theguest bedroom near the laboratory, and get some food together.Whatever you make for Catarina.” He turned to Marissa. “Youmust be hungry, si?”
“Yes,I am. Thank you. Catarina is…”
“Mycomarré. You’ll meet her soon. I’m sure she’sasleep —”
“No,I’m not.” Catarina walked into the foyer, her slippersalmost soundless on the intricate mosaic floor.
Witha few nods, the staff dispersed to do as he’d asked.
“Catarina,this is Marissa. She’s going to be staying here for a fewweeks.”
Catarina’sbrows arched in judgment. “If you think you’re replacingme—”
“I’mnot. Marissa belongs to another. She is here on her patron’sbequest. And you will make her welcome.”
Besidehim, Marissa stepped forward, the sternness of her expressionsomething new. “What house are you from? I’m curious, asspeaking to one’s patron so boldly was considered a punishablebehavior at the Primoris Domus in Corvinestri.”
Catarinafaltered, her cheeks coloring. She dipped her head so that her longblond hair swung down to hide her face. “I am from the SecundisDomus outside of Tesoro.” She looked up and made brief eyecontact with Dominic. “My apologies, my lord. If I may beexcused?”
“Si.”When Catarina’s footsteps faded, he turned to Marissa.
“Masterfullydone. In one small moment, you let her know who you are and you puther in her place.” She’d also defended him, but he didn’tdwell on an aspect he might have only imagined.
Marissalowered her head slightly. “I apologize. I overstepped mybounds. I am a guest, after all I spoke without thinking.”
Helaughed softly. “You spoke with your heart.” He came afew steps closer and slipped his knuckles beneath her chin to raiseher eyes. She was only a few inches shorter than he.
“AlthoughI don’t believe you do much without thinking.” He droppedhis hand. “There is a time and place for both. Too many lettheir emotions rule them and end up paying the price, but withoutemotion, life is a tame existence best left for the weak withoutemotion, life is a tame existence best left for the weak and infirm.”
“Sheis young.”
“Andyou are not?”
“Not…asyoung as Catarina, no.” She turned away but not before theshadow of some greater emotion crossed her face.
Whenshe looked at him again, her smile was slightly disconnected. “Ido not mean to keep you from daysleep. I’m sure your staff candirect me to the kitchen and my room.”
Whathad upset her? He raised a brow. “Are you dismissing me?”
Horrorbroke the smile. “No. Never. I would never—”
Helaughed. “It’s all right, Marissa. I know how Arnaud runshis house, but I don’t stand so much on formality. The onlything I never joke about is my work.” He held his hand out,knowing he’d already touched her more than was proper but notcaring.
Contactwas sorely missing in his life. “Let me show you to the diningroom.”
Shehesitated, staring at his outstretched hand. “Arnaud runs hishouse very strictly.” Slowly, she lifted her hand and herfingers coasted over his, teasingly warm but with a delicate frictionthat spoke to places deep inside him. She raised her gaze
