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)
“You make it sound so easy. Overcoming lifetime inhibitions doesn’t quite work that way.”
“I am told exchanging blood with one’s lifemate can be quite erotic.”
Heat rushed up her neck into her face. She didn’t dare look at Fenja. The way his raspy voice and intriguing accent pronounced erotic sent little flames licking along her nerve endings.
“I think you know we can figure out both problems over time.”
“I would prefer to be independent going into the decision of becoming Carpathian. I don’t want to feel as if you have to take care of me.”
His brows drew together. “Silke, you will be my lifemate. It is my honor and duty to look after you.”
Duty. Had he stuck with honor she would have been thrilled, but he had ended his comment with the fact that she was his duty to care for. She had to reach a point where she could let go of the idea of ever being loved. Love wasn’t necessary between them. But respect and loyalty were a must for her.
“I appreciate the sentiment,” she answered carefully. “But I’ve always looked after myself.” And everyone else. She hadn’t meant to allow him to catch that. She didn’t feel sorry for herself. It was a fact. She dealt in facts.
Not anymore. You won’t be alone.
She didn’t want to look at him again. She wanted to just get their arrangement ironed out and be done with it. She knew a part of her was grieving for the secret dream, the pure fantasy of a home and family, a man who loved her alone. Who would always put her first. Benedek would never be that man. Still, she was determined to make this work.
“It just feels as if I’m the one making all the concessions. You want me to agree to become Carpathian. You want to be able to command me when you deem it necessary. I’m human. My mother is human. I’m a demon slayer. That’s a huge part of who I am. If I sleep during the day, who is protecting my people? Not you. Not your friends. There’s only me. If I join you, they are open to attack.”
“We are working the terms out,” Benedek pointed out.
This time his rasp held a note of gentleness. She really didn’t want him using that particular tone. She was far too susceptible to it.
“I agree to getting your consent before I use my voice to make a demand, unless the situation is extreme and I must make a split-second decision.”
“What would be considered extreme?” She took a drink from the glass of water Fenja had placed in front of her.
“Keeping you from a mortal wound. Life or death. If your life was in danger and I needed to ensure your survival, I reserve the right to use my voice to save you.”
How could she object to that? She swept a hand through her hair, uncaring that he would note that gesture as nerves. She was nervous. “What’s to say you wouldn’t deem any event extreme if you didn’t like what I was doing?”
“Trust,” he answered immediately. “I would like for our bond to be so tight that you know I will always have your back. Always have your best interests uppermost in mind. That you will trust me to put your happiness and welfare first. I want to trust you with those same things. I want to know, without looking, without question, that I can trust you to put me first. To put my health and welfare first. I want to know you will always have my back. To do that, I must trust you the same way you must learn to trust me.”
She liked the practicality of that. “I agree to your terms, then.”
Fenja and Nicu immediately wrote on their papers, giving Silke some satisfaction that they had managed to sort out his ability to command her.
“I wish to live close to my mother as long as she is alive.”
Benedek nodded immediately. “I would expect us to stay close to her. She’s your family, and when we become lifemates, she becomes my family and will be under not only our protection but the protection of all my people.”
Again, Fenja and Nicu wrote on their papers. Silke couldn’t help the small triumphant smile she sent her mother’s way. Negotiating wasn’t nearly as bad as she thought it would be.
“I must remain the slayer until after the battle with Lilith,” she said as firmly as she could. “The people have to be protected. I will agree to the lifemate bond as soon as the war with her is over.”
He shook his head. “The conversion will wait until after the battle, but I must claim you immediately. Having found you, I do not dare wait. Once I bind us, my soul will be intact and you’ll anchor me during every battle with the vampire and Lilith’s army. That is absolutely necessary.”