“How many people live on this estate? It must take an army of gardeners to tend to these plants.”
“A few thousand.” He gestured in the direction of the hills surrounding the mansion. “Some servants live in the nearby town of Crowsbury, but the Dark Court isn’t as populated as it was when Koschei was the duke. After Alex defeated him, many courtiers left. Some joined the Fair Court, granted the duchess had approved of them. Others decided to live among humans. Several lords and ladies are supernatural beings.”
“A sorcerer who kidnapped maidens was considered a better leader than an honest vampire?”
“Koschei lavished his courtiers with gifts, money, and all sorts of physical pleasures. Supernatural beings can be rather shallow. Alex has never given a party, and his idea of a gift is a bag of roasted chestnuts.”
I sighed at the beauty of Raven Lake. “Stunning.”
“Let’s take a moment.” He led me to a wrought-iron bench facing the lake.
I sat on the bench and enjoyed the sunlight dancing on the water.
The day was overcast, but the dawn cast pink shadows on the blue-grey lake.
There was a ripple on the surface, and I tensed immediately. If dragons were real, why not aquatic monsters like the nicoras that had fought against Beowulf?
“Are there monsters in the lake?”
Darius pondered my question, which worried me. “I don’t think…” Right then, Alex broke the surface and emerged from the water with a big splash. “Yes, there are monsters in the lake.”
I laughed, but seeing Alex walking towards the shore had a sobering effect on me. Water dripped from his dark hair to the ridges of his naked torso, drawing attention to every taut muscle. His wet eyelashes were spiked together, and, somehow, they suited him, making his eyes look bigger.
When his hips inched out of the water, I shifted on the bench, wondering if he was completely naked. But he wasn’t. He was wearing a dark pair of trousers clinging to his body like a second skin; they left nothing to the imagination.
His powerful thighs and calves were completely exposed.
I averted my gaze, my face flaming. I’d seen half-naked men during street performances, when they had juggled blazing torches in the air. But I hadn’t known those men as I knew Alex.
On cue, the bond gave a solid pull, almost making me slip off the bench.
From the ground, Alex picked up a large blanket I hadn’t noticed before and covered himself. I shouldn’t be disappointed, but I was.
He shivered as he walked over to us, soaking wet and with his lips pale blue. “Good morning.” His teeth chattered.
“Do you enjoy swimming in the lake?” I had no idea whether vampires loved to swim in cold water.
“No.” He wiped his face. “The water is bloody freezing. But Darius told me that regular swims in the cold water would help me…overcome some problems.”
A sudden turmoil disturbed Darius’s aura. “Did I?”
“Yes, you said…” Alex frowned. “Hold on. Was it a joke? You made me freeze in the lake for no reason?”
“Calm down.” Darius held up his hands. “First, I say many things. I can’t remember all of them. Secondly, I didn’t think you would take me seriously. You never do.”
“Darius.” He gritted his teeth.
“It’s not my fault if you don’t understand sarcasm.” Darius drew a few symbols in the air. A warm breeze lifted, and Alex’s hair and trousers dried in a second. “There. You aren’t cold anymore. See? I’m a nice chap.”
Judging by Alex’s murderous look, he didn’t agree.
“Well.” Darius cleared his throat, standing up. “I’d better go. Alex, I trust you to escort Irene back to the mansion.” He winked at me before leaving.
Alex ran a hand through his hair. His strands jutted out in different directions after the quick drying. “May I sit?”
I scooted over to give him more space, surprised he asked for permission. Had I been too harsh on him? “Please do.”
He sat, wrapped in the blanket, and stared at the lake. I waited for him to say something, but he didn’t speak.
