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)
He meant every word, and he’d uttered his declaration aloud, to be heard and witnessed by the two people supposedly helping them.
She held his gaze, refusing to look away. “I would accept those terms only if they apply to you as well. Know that if you betrayed me, I would find a way to get rid of you. Without loyalty and trust, we would have nothing together as far as I’m concerned.”
His eyes still on her, Benedek indicated to Fenja and Nicu. “That is an absolute we both agree on. Write it down.”
Nicu and Fenja both put pen to paper.
“I would like children,” Benedek said. “Where do you stand on having children?”
The relief was tremendous. She had no idea how worried she’d been that he wouldn’t want a family with her. She knew he was a hunter and he’d always be one. That didn’t make for a great family man. She found herself smiling.
“I want children for sure.” A sobering thought occurred to her. “Is it possible when you’re Carpathian and I’m human?”
“The prince is married to a woman who was human,” Benedek answered. “They have children.”
At first that made her feel better, but then she went over the way he’d worded his response. A woman who was human. What did that mean? She studied his expressionless mask. He knew she got that small reference, and he was watching her intently. Expectantly. She wouldn’t want to disappoint him.
“You used the words ‘was human’ when telling me about the prince’s woman. What does that mean? Is she deceased?” She knew the prince’s wife was alive. She didn’t know how she knew, but the knowledge was there.
“To save Raven’s life, Mikhail had to convert her when she was attacked. She rose fully Carpathian.”
“So it is possible to convert a human to Carpathian. Is it possible to do the reverse? A Carpathian to human?”
She felt the instant rejection of the idea by both ancients. Fenja must have felt it as well because she covered her mouth and coughed delicately.
“It is impossible to convert a Carpathian to human,” Benedek said, “although some males have chosen to live out their life as human, and when their mate passes, they have followed them.”
Silke should have considered the implications to him of being with a human. “You would have to suicide in the end after I die?”
He shook his head. “That would be an impossibility after being with my lifemate. I cannot chance losing you and then choosing the right path. A Carpathian male enters what is known as a thrall when he loses his lifemate. In other words, he is insane in that moment. Should I have choices and I chose the wrong path, again, hunters would have a difficult time destroying me.”
Silke moistened her lips. She was missing something very important here. “How would our marriage work with you Carpathian and me human? I would be awake during the day and you would be awake during the night.”
Her query was met with silence. Benedek’s gaze didn’t move from her face. She was already shaking her head, afraid she knew exactly what he was planning.
“If you think I’m going to become Carpathian, you have another think coming,” she declared. “That’s a deal-breaker as far as I’m concerned.” She glared at him. “An absolute deal-breaker.”
“It can’t be a deal-breaker before we even discuss it,” Benedek said reasonably. “You haven’t considered the benefits, of which there are many.”
“Nevertheless.”
Benedek shook his head. “Now you’re just being stubborn. You need to state your reasons why the idea is so objectionable to you, so we can discuss each of your concerns.”
“Sleeping under the ground. That feels too much like being buried alive. It isn’t as if I’m going to get over that because you say so.”
Sarcasm. Again, she felt the wash of humor slide into her mind. That alone could be persuasive. There was something appealing and sexy, even charming, about those brief moments of shared intimacy.
At least you recognize sarcasm when you hear it.
You aren’t nearly as afraid of me as you should be.
You have a code.
That code applies to everyone else. You and I are making the rules of our relationship right now. I think we have a good chance of making this work.
“Actually, you could get over it with me giving that command,” Benedek pointed out. “I am capable of influencing those around me.”
Fenja’s gasp was audible as she realized the importance of his disclosure.
Silke went still. Froze. The mouse staring up at the cat, recognizing the predator in him all over again. “You can persuade someone with your voice?” It came out a whisper, but the thought was terrifying.
“Yes.”
“You didn’t think to disclose this immediately?”
“No. There was no reason until now. I can command you not to fear sleeping underground and you would no longer be afraid.”
“No. Before we go any further, we write down the rule that you never command me to do anything. I want to have free will. I need that. It isn’t a marriage or partnership if you tell me what to do and I do it like a puppet.”