Fated to the Damned: A Dark Obsessive Vampire Romance (Mated to Prothekan Vampires Book 1) by Celeste King

Author:Celeste King [King, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Protheka Publishing
Published: 2024-07-11T00:00:00+00:00

I swallow hard, fiddling with my spoon. I’d forgotten Alina was there the day we showed up.

I decide to switch my approach, still going with a safe answer. "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. We're just...friends." The word tastes bitter on my tongue. I honestly don’t even know if we’re that no matter how much I want more.

Alina laughs loudly, drawing curious glances from nearby tables. "Girl, you are a terrible liar. But hey, your secret crush is safe with me." She winks conspiratorially.

I let out an exasperated huff, quickly shoveling down a few bites. "Well this has been fun but I should really get going."

I gather my dishes hastily, eager to escape. Alina calls after me in a sing-song voice, "Say hi to Nikolai for me!"

Ignoring her, I hurry outside into the fresh air. But she's right about one thing – I’m planning on going back to the temple where I know Nikolai will be. And it’s not for entirely altruistic reasons.

Even with the distance between us, being near him makes my pulse race wildly. I can't seem to banish him from my thoughts lately, no matter how hard I try.

So against my better judgement, I enter the cavernous temple, my footsteps echoing across the stone floors. The hushed space is empty save for Nikolai standing solitary before the central altar. I expected him here, but I didn’t expect him to be the only one here

He gazes down intently, focused on methodically preparing the altar for this evening's rituals. I pause in the doorway for a long moment, suddenly unsure if I should interrupt his meditative task.

The ever-present tension between us seems to crackle in the very air. After weeks of distant politeness, being alone with him makes my heart flutter nervously.

Nikolai looks up at the sound of my entrance, eyes widening slightly in surprise before his expression smooths back to impassivity and his gaze drops like it always does.

Just fucking look at me, I want to scream.

But when he does, it nearly undoes us both. Maybe it’s our saving grace that he refuses to.

"Jessa. I did not expect you so early," he rumbles, voice echoing through the silent temple. His piercing gaze flicks toward me againbriefly before returning to the altar arrangements.

I wet my dry lips before answering, willing my voice to steadiness. "I thought you could use some help getting things ready."

Nikolai gives a short nod of assent. I make my way to the altar, careful to leave ample space between us. We work in awkward silence for some time, renewing the sacred bowls of water and blood, polishing the array of mirrors and crystals laid out in intricate patterns.

I can feel Nikolai's powerful presence like a physical weight, hyper aware of his every movement as we circle the altar. Our hands inadvertently brush occasionally as we work, sending sparks skittering across my skin.

The electric tension between us seems to grow with each passing minute in forced close proximity. The unspoken words and feelings hang heavy as a thundercloud over us.

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