Promise Me by Tara Fox Hall

Author:Tara Fox Hall [Hall, Tara Fox]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Paranormal, Vampire
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC

Chapter Thirteen

“Devlin, may I present my lover, Sarelle. Sarelle, this is Devlin Dalcon, Vampire Ruler of the United States—”

“The States, Danial. That was all they were when I first landed on these shores. Introduce me correctly, or allow me to do it myself.”

Danial wasn’t ruffled by Devlin’s sharp tone. “Ruler of the States.”

“Enchante,” Devlin said and kissed my hand. “So this is the woman you have taken up with.” He walked around me, examining me like a coyote circling a rabbit. I stayed very still but kept my chin up, unwilling to look scared. “I don’t see anything that remarkable about her.” His voice was rich but cruel. “Except that she doesn’t look as I’d expected.” He stopped in front of me. “But that alone is interesting.”

Danial didn’t reply. The tension was thick, everyone waiting for something to happen. Even the music had ceased. Minutes passed. Devlin didn’t move as he studied me with his golden eyes, his expression thoughtful. I stared right back at him, getting annoyed. Had he said I wasn’t pretty enough?

“Has she been Oathed to you?”

I felt the first stirrings of real danger in a chill that went down my spine. I bit on the wound in my mouth from the night before. The pain distracted me enough from my fear to keep me still.

“No,” Danial said casually. “We met only a—”

“May I taste her then? It’s custom.”

I started to back away involuntarily, but Danial squeezed my hand. “I’d prefer you not. Sarelle isn’t yet used to being tasted,” he said slowly. “Though by law, it is your right.”

“There is no time like the present for learning,” Devlin said with an eager smile. “And I would love to instruct her in this particular art.” His eyes flicked from mine to Danial. “Are you going to give me permission?” he taunted.

“You may taste her,” Danial said dispassionately. “So long as she gives you her consent.”

I licked my lips, the wound throbbing. Devlin took a step closer until there wasn’t an inch between us. He gazed down at me through half lidded eyes. Very slowly, the tip of his tongue ran over his upper fangs, and he gave me a rakish grin.

“Will you consent to a little kiss?” he asked mockingly. “Or are you afraid of me?”

I didn’t reply, furiously trying to choose what to say. Several questions went through my mind. Was this some sort of test? Would Danial lose face if I refused? Moreover, would refusing Devlin piss him off? Danial had said no one could harm me in any way when I was wearing the choker. No vampire could. What could he do other than kiss me?

“Spineless,” Devlin said. He gave me a look of reproval, then moved back as if he might catch something from standing too close. “And a bad hostess to boot.”

“I’m not spineless,” I grated. “You can’t hurt me.”

“Yes, that’d be obvious to anyone with intelligence. But as you’re still grasping that concept, I’m happy to abstain. I’ve no wish to sample the flavor of cowardice.

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