Shadow's Claim

“You’re the orphaned princess. You’re the trophy?” Declining still further.

She shrugged. “There’s an invitation on my dresser.”

He glanced around, then traced to retrieve the old-fashioned parchment.

RAUM, THE GRAND DUKE OF THE DEATHLY ONES, AND MORGANA, THE QUEEN OF ALL SORCERI, REQUEST THE PLEASURE OF YOUR ATTENDANCE AT A TOURNAMENT FOR THE HAND OF THEIR GODDAUGHTER, PRINCESS BETTINA OF ABADDON.

VENUE: THE IRON RING; RUNE, ABADDON

WHEN: THE NINE DAYS BEFORE THE SANGUINE MOON

WHAT: FIGHTS TO THE DEATH

PRIZE: THE CROWN OF THE DEATHLY ONES AND THE SUMMONING MEDALLION OF BETTINA

In smaller print at the bottom:

FULL-MOON MARRIAGE CEREMONY TO FOLLOW FINAL ROUND OF TOURNAMENT. ALL ENTRANTS GUARANTEED MYSTICAL PROTECTION OUTSIDE THE RING.

“Guardians?” Trehan nearly crumpled the parchment. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two.”

His jaw slackened. “So young?” He’d amassed centuries’ worth of strength, could have seriously harmed her tonight. “An entire kingdom is up for grabs. Do you know what types of males will be entering this farce?” Trehan had spied a sample of them near the combat ring.

“I agreed to the tournament.”

“Why in the gods’ names would you? And why would you ever surrender your blood for a summoning medallion?” Talismans like that were common enough in the Lore. But the demon had to give up blood willingly for it to work.

She murmured, “They willed it.” Before he could ask what she meant, she attempted a brisk demeanor. “Once the competition begins, I will be completely prepared to wed whoever may win.” Yet her voice broke a bit on the end.

Completely prepared—and terrified.

“But you’re regretting your decision now? Is that it?” Realization hit him. If Caspion had bedded her this eve, the tournament would be canceled. “That’s why you were trying to seduce the demon!” His relief was profound. “So he’d save you.” And now I will save you.

“I was trying to seduce Caspion because I love him. I always have, and I always will.”

Trehan felt as if he’d had his fangs knocked down his throat. Of all the males in the world. That death demon was notoriously popular with females of all species, had plowed through half of Dacia’s maids before he’d absconded in the night.

My Bride is in love with my target.

If Trehan’s mate had been another vampire, she would feel the same urgency and need for him. But when a vampire was blooded by a female of another species, that foreign Bride might feel nothing for him.

This one feels nothing. “What if I decided to simply steal the medallion—and you?”

“It’s protected.”

“I’ll breach that spell as easily as I did your barrier magic.”

“The medallion is held in a glass case that’s been protected by Morgana, using the full force of her magics. It can’t be taken, only won by my future husband.”

Trehan knew of Morgana, knew she was one of the most powerful sorceresses ever to live—because she controlled the abilities of all other Sorceri. Though Trehan was a learned Dacian, he wasn’t egotistical enough to believe he could easily circumvent her spells. “You must know of a way to seize it.”

She shook her head. “I don’t. I’d tell you if I did.”

“You’d tell me, but only to save your precious Caspion.” Again he grappled with his temper, with a jealousy so raw he’d never experienced the like. “And what will he do to save you? Is he entering the tournament?”

In answer, she glanced at the coverlet.

“No? So it’s either me tonight or one among the males lining up below? I would think you’d be more receptive to me. Surely I’m a better alternative.”

“At least none of them want to murder the male I love.”

Barely controlling his rage, he ignored the pain in his palm and clutched his sword hilt, something he never did. “The male you love is in a brothel right now; I’m here with you.” His words hit home, making her flinch, but he took no satisfaction from it. “You’ve some skill in seduction, for a virgin. You’d be wise to use it right now.” He could scarcely believe he’d said that to her. In the past, he’d spoken only after careful consideration of his words.

It seemed this jealousy was eroding his reason, his impulse control. Trehan, a Dacian, had nearly bitten her.

She met his gaze. “I’m sorry that I’m your Bride,” she began, clearly trying to sort out the exact right thing to say. A difficulty in her condition. “I’m sorry that my heart’s already taken. But if you harm him, you will break me.” Tears welled in her eyes once more. “Please . . . don’t.”

To protect his realm, Trehan must eliminate that demon; his Bride would never forgive the murder.

He needed to think. To approach this rationally. Which was impossible when the tears in her eyes affected him physically, and when the memory of her pulse against his tongue still made him thirst for the forbidden.

“I’ve told you everything I know,” she murmured. “I’m begging you to leave Abaddon.”

Begging me to leave her.

He didn’t need this! He should be grateful for the increase in power his blooding had brought him—and the release he’d stolen with Bettina—then move on with his duties.

He could enjoy other women now that she’d brought his body back to life. He could still father heirs, could repopulate his house. As far as he knew, he was the first of his cousins to be blooded, which meant he’d just become the strongest.

Old longings could still be realized. I could have a female and offspring—and the strength to protect them all.

Trehan would be damned if he’d compete for Bettina’s affections, especially not against someone so unworthy as Caspion. As the sun began to spill into her bedroom, he said, “Farewell, Bettina of Abaddon.”

“You’re leaving?”

The hopefulness in her tone cemented his decision. “I am.”

Yet then her face fell. “To try to steal my medallion?”

“I return to my home.”

Her eyes widened. “And you’ll spare Cas?”

“Not at all. I have no plans to come back for you. But I definitely will for him. It’s a done thing, Bettina. Resign yourself.”

“Please, no! I’ll do anything.” Her face flamed as she asked, “Don’t you need to . . . to claim me?”

Yes! The temptation to sink into her virgin body—to lose himself in the silky wetness that he’d touched, he’d tasted—nearly had him reaching for her once more.

With a nervous swallow, she dropped the sheet to her waist. “V-vow not to hurt him, and I’ll be yours.”

His gaze locked on her breasts, on those taunting nipples. She’ll sleep with me to save him. Gods, the pleasure would be unimaginable. His cock hardened, twitching within his damp pants. Yet again, his fangs sharpened.

But he refused to force himself on a female who didn’t want him. “You’re in an impossible situation, girl. The more you plead for the demon, the less I’m inclined to want you.” The more she pleaded, the less he wanted to want her. “The next female I take to my bed will be there because she craves what I alone can give her.”

When burning rays of sun spilled into the room, he took one last look at her, then disappeared.