Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Silke shoved her hand through her thick hair. He could see she was trembling. She didn’t try to hide her reaction from him. He had the unexpected urge to pull her into his arms in an effort to comfort her. He didn’t think at this stage that was a good idea, so he stayed still and waited.
The tip of her tongue moistened her lips. She glanced toward her mother and then took a breath. Her fingers were twisted together so tightly he feared she might break them. That chin of hers went up and his body hardened, blood pooling low and wicked. This woman could break him if he wasn’t careful.
“If I’m hearing you correctly, just saying the words to me is all it would take to bind us together.” Her gaze met his without flinching.
Benedek inclined his head. She was getting it. He knew she would.
“It wouldn’t require my consent to work, would it?”
“No.” That was honesty.
Fenja gasped, her hand going protectively to her throat. Strangely, the answer seemed to bolster Silke’s confidence, not create more nerves.
“But you haven’t done that, even though you know I object to our union.”
“You object because you haven’t given yourself time to understand. If I were in your place, I would be feeling exactly what you are.”
“That doesn’t mean you won’t resort to taking the choice out of my hands,” Silke said.
He didn’t bother to answer. She already knew.
“I am a demon slayer,” she reminded.
He nodded and steepled his fingers together, regarding her over them. “Which is why we will work. I propose we negotiate a contract between us. We can sit down together this next rising. Your mother can be with you, and I’ll have Nicu with me. We each state plainly what we want, need and expect from the other.”
Silke looked thoughtful. “Like a business deal.”
“Exactly. You appear not to believe we can have a romance together. I value certain traits above all others. I believe you have those traits and the capability of being my partner. The best way to find out is to sit down together and discuss what we want and need in a relationship.”
Silke glanced at her mother. “What do you think?”
Fenja’s brows had come together. “Silke, this is for the rest of your life. Only you can decide whether negotiations appeal to you. I will say, many good relationships have started out as business deals.”
Silke bit down on her lower lip, lowering her lashes in the hopes that Benedek couldn’t read her thoughts, which was silly when he was in her mind. Still, he remained quiet, not showing his presence. She was suspicious—as she should be. He liked that she was willing to stand up to him. There weren’t many, humans or Carpathians, who were able to.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“I’ve told you the truth of the situation. It is really quite simple. I have no recourse other than to claim you as my lifemate if I am to keep my honor. I will state very plainly that should I lose the battle and become the undead, there is not a doubt in my mind that I would kill many good hunters, men needed, men who have been my friends, before they take me.”
He was matter-of-fact, not looking for her sympathy, although she was compassionate and it might be a good idea to play on that. He didn’t think so. He was still getting a feeling for her character. She valued courage and duty. She didn’t believe in romanticizing a situation. She would never believe he wanted her for herself as a woman. She needed to see him as a warrior with a code, one who had fought valiantly for his honor over the centuries. He had Tora to thank for that. Silke at least knew that much about his culture.
Silke was silent for a few minutes, and he didn’t hurry her decision. He would have quite a bit of explaining to do the next rising if she agreed to his terms. On the other hand, if she refused him, his choice would be to bind her and hope the lifemate bond worked in his favor.
“I agree to negotiations.” Silke capitulated. “Tomorrow evening. I’m very tired and need to sleep.”
He stood immediately and gave a slight courteous bow toward Fenja but kept his gaze fixed on Silke. “On the rising, then. I look forward to it.”
Chapter
10
Just business. Silke understood business and business arrangements. They were logical and often worked far better than emotional attachments. Watching others as she grew up, she saw couples proclaiming to be madly in love, but that love seemed to die out rather quickly. Fenja had little to say to her after Benedek left, but now she was seated at the table in their dining room, a notepad and pen ready for the negotiations. Benedek and his friend Nicu were scheduled to arrive any moment.