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It is much too early to be dealing with my insolent major-doody. I have barely had time to dress and seek out a spicy morsel wandering out of the local pub. The evil ones taste the spiciest.
I summon patience. “What’s got your panties in a bunch, wench?”
Her mouth forms a perfect O. I stifle a laugh. I have just proven I am up on the modern lingo. Now the one who said I could not change with the modern era has just been schooled.
She recovers herself. “Boz, you said you would remove the whammy, yet I saw Stella this afternoon, and she was clearly still smitten.”
Hmm…this is not good. I already decided not to pursue her for her own protection. “Are you certain?”
She shoves a hand in her hair. “Yes! You were all she could talk about. And she kept hinting about visiting the castle.” She shakes her head. “I trusted you. Ugh, why did I trust you to play fair?”
“Cease your complaining. I removed the spell last night.”
“Then why is she so eager to see you?”
I spread my arms wide, indicating my masculine perfection displayed in a modern black button-down shirt and black leather trousers. I will bring them back in fashion by example. “If she’s smitten with me, I assure you it is by her own choice. It is a curse I must live with, women throwing themselves at my feet—”
“You lure them in.”
“Begging me to take them to bed.”
“Boz!”
I flash my fangs in displeasure. “I tire of your harsh tone.”
She paces the bedchamber again, muttering to herself about playing fair and trust and all kinds of nonsense vampires have no use for. We feed, we kill, we rule. And we protect women in danger, even from ourselves.
I watch Neli wearing a hole in my Persian rug with her pacing. It pains me to say the truth out loud because I do not like to share. Still, it is the only way to silence her incessant complaints and irritating pacing. “I will not be pursuing Stella.”
Neli halts, staring in shock for a long moment.
I wait for her mind to assimilate the news. I have never once given up a woman I desired.
“Why?” she finally asks.
I walk to my window and look across the road to Stella’s home bathed in moonlight. She and her beloved family all work together for their livelihood. One that I will only destroy by taking her from them. “My presence will only corrupt.” I turn at her silence. “She is an innocent. A rare untouched beauty I must admire from afar.”
Neli sinks heavily to my reading chair and stares up at one of my finest paintings—two ripe melons. “You really did remove the whammy.” Her brows knit together as she lowers her gaze to the floor.
Her belief in the truth of my words brings only a moment’s pleasure before the eternity without Stella looms in front of me. She will marry another, bear children, grow old, and die. And still I will go on, never having the woman I have waited centuries to discover.
“Wait a minute,” Neli says.
I sigh heavily. Does she not sense my need to gaze longingly at Stella’s home without her constant chatter?
“You said you’d release me if I brought you Stella as a companion. How is that supposed to happen if you avoid her?”
I do not reply. Now is not the time to discuss the truth—I could never kill Neli. She is like family. Yes, yes, bound to me against her will, but no one gets to choose their families, now do they? I hope Neli will understand this when the time comes. As for Stella, resisting her will take strength and untested levels of willpower.
Neli appears at my side. “Boz, I think what’s really going on is that you’re letting insecurity get in the way of making a real connection with the woman who could be your forever mate. I know it’s scary—”
“I fear nothing,” I growl.
She gives me a patient smile. “What I’m trying to say is that if you really did remove the whammy, and she’s still into you, I think there could be something between you two. The best thing to do is spend time helping her with the wine blends, maybe have dinner together, get to know each other.” She blows out a breath and relaxes. “This is good. You’ll have your bride, and I’ll have my freedom just like we talked about.”
I cross my arms. “I am sorry, but Stella is out.”
She stomps her foot. “We had a deal! You get a replacement for me.”
“Perhaps a more suitable candidate will come along in the next century.” Or never. No one can compare to Stella.
“Fine.” She purses her lips, appearing deep in thought.
I can tell by the defiant gleam in her eye, this is not over. Neli is a stubborn one, a trait I happen to admire, except on occasions such as these. She intends to nag me to death until I change my mind, but it is not going to happen. I am determined not to pursue Stella, and Neli will simply have to accept it. “The master has spoken. Now, if you do not mind, I need time to myself to wallow.” As any gloomy vampire knows, there is an art to a proper wallow.
