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“I highly doubt that, princess.”
Flora remained silent. He didn’t need to know the horrors she’d witnessed as a young girl. He didn’t need to know about the bruises she used to wear as a perpetual necklace because she didn’t understand the meaning of keeping quiet. Not that any four year old would. He didn’t need to know about the days she went without food because her mother was too weak to move or the manipulation she’d suffered. She’d learned quickly though, and by five she knew how to play the game. Just in time for August’s family to save her.
“You really believe that don’t you?”
Draven’s question pulled her from the dark memories of her past. But again she didn’t answer. She hadn’t told anyone about her family. Not even Emery. She suspected August knew, but it wasn’t something she liked to talk about, so she’d never brought it up. What would be the point? It wouldn’t change what happened. It wouldn’t bring back her mother. All it would do was bring the nightmares back, and she’d done so well keeping them locked away in the depths of her mind.
“I’ll do it.” Draven stated, his voice low and even.
“I don’t want your pity, Draven.”
His jaw tightened, and she zeroed in on the muscles as they shifted ever so slightly. “The last thing I’m feeling right now is pity, Flora.” His voice was a low, and downright deadly octave. “I’ll convince you your humanity is a gift you should cherish. I’ll make your body sing in ways no vampire has. I’ll show you how the lightness you feel now is far superior than the conniving darkness that consumes your soul as a creature of the night. You know vampires, but you don’t know humans. Let me show you. By the time I’m done, I’ll assure you the last thing you should become is a monster like me. But I have one condition.”
He wasn’t going to change her mind. Flora had been thinking about this for years. Becoming a vampire was the only way to protect herself. If she made it out alive from their trip, she’d still choose to be turned, but she’d entertain Draven’s condition. “And what’s that?”
“You follow my rules. You do as I say, no questions asked.”
Of course. Just like every other Alpha male she’d ever met. He was more like his brother and cousin than he knew. She set her jaw and met his serious stare. “And if I don’t?”
“I’ll punish you,” he growled with a lilt at the end that gave away he was looking forward to the opportunity.
She shouldn’t like the way that sounded. It shouldn’t make her thighs clench and her stomach drop to the sinful location between her legs.
“If I agree to your terms, you have to agree to protect me. Don’t let me die before we’ve made it back from Lune. And if I still want to be turned when we get back, you either turn me yourself or return me to Callum in one piece.”
Draven hesitated, and his hardened stare gave away nothing, but after a few long moments he nodded. “As long as you follow my directions, I give you my word.”
“Within reason.” she countered. “You don’t own me, Draven.”
“We’ll see about that, but for now I agree only to flex my direction as it relates to giving you the option to experience what humanity has to offer.”
“Deal.” She may have just made a deal with the devil. But Flora didn’t have anything left to lose.
“Then close your eyes, little vampire princess, because living starts right now.”
She raised a brow in question, wondering what the hell he had planned for her. Flora had wanted this. Asked for it. No one was forcing her. Either way, she’d be showing up in Lune as human as the day she was born. But if she took this step, if she closed her eyes, there would be no turning back. She’d be diving head first into all the things she’d been sheltered from. Every moment of her life had been preordained by either her father or the royal family, and she couldn’t ignore the thrill that shot down her at the notion that this one moment, this one decision was about living her life for herself.
Draven tilted his head toward her, a wicked grin taunting her, waiting for her to make the move that would set his plans into motion. She didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him, but Draven wasn’t the enemy. She wasn’t sure how she knew, but it was a fact that was cemented in her soul.
With only a moment's hesitation, she shut her eyes.
