“I am uncertain a lady of your stature should know about such things.”
“Shouldn’t I? If I am to be married, should I not know the pleasures between a man and a woman?”
I let out a huff and rise to my feet. “That is enough of that,” I snap.
Her lips continue to stay curved up. “You know that I am of age, Tiberius, it is time that you pick or I will.”
She spins around and I watch her walk away as if she has delivered a supreme threat to me. She has not. In the end, it is me, her cousin and her emperor who decides who she will marry and if the empire will benefit from that union.
I do not let Drucilla out of my sight, not for a moment the entire evening. I watch her, I listen for her laugh, and I just take all of her in. Her mannerisms are not of my people or any people that I have met from the other lands.
She is indeed strange. She is intriguing and soon she will be beneath me, taking my mentula. She will take my seed and create life just as the gods intended. Just as my empire needs—just as I desire.
Marcellus jerks his chin in my direction, a silent message that they are finished for the evening. Pushing off of the column, I follow behind them, but I’m careful not to get too close. I cannot be in the room before Marcellus drops her off, I cannot be in the room at all until she has dimmed the lighting of the candles.
I watch, staying in the shadows, lurking, but never showing myself as Marcellus takes her to the door. They stop short, then she speaks, in her native tongue, words that I cannot understand. Then, to my surprise, Marcellus replies to her words, in that same tongue.
He opens the door for her, steps inside, and just moments later retreats. He sees me lurking in the shadows, his eyes dancing and his lips curving into a grin at the sight of me.
“We must talk,” I grind out.
He lets out a booming laugh. “Oh yes, frater, we must indeed talk.”
Instead of going to her the way that I desire, I turn and lead my brother to my study. Walking around my desk, I sink down in the chair and stare across the room at him. His lips are still upturned as if he cannot control his smile and amusement.
“You know her language?” I demand when he doesn’t speak immediately.
“I do not, but she speaks fluent Bunafidian or perhaps Devilrisian, though not everything she says translates. I can understand her at least, and she me.”
“Tell me,” I demand.
“She is who you thought her to be. She hails from a land I have never encountered in my studies.”
“What did she say?” I demand.
Marcellus watches me for a moment, then grins. “Not much. Though, she was very careful with her few words. I do not think that she was being deceiving rather more cautious than anything else.”
He leaves me alone with my thoughts, though they do not stray from the woman in my personal sleeping chamber. They are only of her. Of the way that she looked tonight, her smile, her beautiful face.
I close my eyes and I remember how hideous I am.
I know without a doubt that she will never love me, and if love is needed for this prophecy the way the beast claims, then it will never be fulfilled—not ever.
Chapter Four
DRUCILLA
Inhaling a deep breath, I bite my bottom lip as I look out at the dark landscape in front of me. There isn’t much to be seen at night, except the stars. There are millions upon millions of stars. They aren’t white either like they are at home, they’re bright purple, almost neon. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
I try not to think about the man that was with me tonight. He didn’t tell me his name, he acted as if he were the man on the horse, but I know without a doubt that he wasn’t. He didn’t smell the same, he didn’t have the same wide strong body, but that wasn’t all. It was also me, I didn’t feel the same in his presence.
The door opens, then closes. I don’t turn around immediately. I’m not sure if I stay facing the window out of fear, self-preservation, or just complete nervousness, but as soon as the candlelight disappears, I spin around with a gasp.
It’s dark, and not just dark, but it’s freaking dark-dark. I can’t even see my hand in front of my face, as I lift it to test it out like a damn child. I know who is here, immediately, I know who it is.
It’s my warrior.
I know this without even being able to see him. I know this because I can just sense it. It’s him, and my body fills with excitement and butterflies just at the idea of his close proximity. Licking my lips, I don’t move.
I’m frozen in place.
I can’t hear his approach, he’s like a ninja. I let out a soft cry when his fingers curl around my waist. Wordlessly, he lets out a low growl before he tugs me against his chest. I let out a small cry, lifting my hands to brace my palms against his chest.
Tilting my head back, I try to focus on him, but we are in complete darkness. “Is it you, my warrior?” I breathe.
He doesn’t say anything, not a single word. Instead, I feel his lips on mine. Instantly, my entire body ignites. I don’t know what it is or why I feel it, but it’s almost like I implode at the sensation of his lips against mine.
Then, it’s as if someone else takes over my entire body. Gripping his shoulders with my fingers, I press down and jump up, wrapping my legs around his hips. He grunts against my mouth, his hands immediately grabbing my ass and squeezing—firmly.
I drive
