Frozen, I stared at him as he lowered his mouth to mine. My lips parted eagerly, the treacherous things not realizing that I was being forced into this marriage, as I waited for the first taste of the prince’s lips. My body yearned to lean into this kiss, to reach out and touch him as he was touching me. It, too, did not realize that this union was not of my choosing.
His tongue darted out, dampening his bottom lip, and my core tightened at the sight. Did he taste like darkness, this prince of shadows?
A minty scent filled the air, and I blinked. I thought his breath would smell like blood, but I was wrong. I inhaled sharply, waiting for the kiss that suddenly was the only thing I could think about.
And he…
Turned his head.
Sebastian’s lips grazed my cheek, sending tingles down my face before he pulled back. Releasing his grip on the back of my neck, he squeezed my hand once.
I stared at him.
That was it? That wasn’t enough. The scholarly part of my brain demanded to know what an actual kiss from him felt like. After all that buildup, Ineededto know what his lips felt like on mine. It was important.
For research purposes, of course.
As if he could read my thoughts, Sebastian smirked. That wasn’t outside the realm of possibility. After all, Estrella seemed to be able to do so.
The prince raised our joined hands to his lips, brushing his mouth over the back of my hand. I narrowed my eyes in response. Maybe hecouldread my mind. Or perhaps, as rumours suggested, he was a male well-acquainted with females. Perhaps this was all a game to him. How could I know? We were just meeting for the first time.
Sebastian’s wings unfurled, and he released my hand, scooting backward. A frigid air washed over me in the space where he had been only moments before. My heart stuttered, and my stomach dropped as my core twisted, wishing for more.
Traitors, the lot of them. Though the rational part of my mind had many issues with this arranged marriage, my body did not share any of its reservations.
It was more than willing to throw me at the feet of this handsome vampire prince who looked like he could kill me with a single touch, turning me into a simpering female waiting for a kiss on the lips.
I was not pleased about this newest development.
The priest cleared his throat, and I was startled out of my thoughts. “Please rise,” he said, lifting his hands from his sides.
A rustling came from behind me, and everyone, including Sebastian, rose to their feet. I hurriedly followed, pressing my hands flat at my sides.
The queen cleared her throat. Her voice was like silk, claiming all attention as it swirled around the room. “People of Eleyta, it has been many years since a Montquartier royal has wed.”
She paused, and applause rose throughout the room.
Smiling, the queen nodded. “I am honored to present to you for the first time, Prince Sebastian, and his new wife, Princess Luna.”
She raised her brow, and a feeling of dread settled over me as a calculated look came over the queen’s face. Something about this felt wrong. Off. Warning bells rang in my mind.
As the next words came out of the queen’s mouth, she confirmed all my fears. “That is not the only good news for tonight.”
My brows furrowed as I stared at my new mother-in-law. What was she talking about? The wedding was over. She had pronounced us husband and wife. What was there left to do?
Once again, the queen waited.
Murmurs rose, and the air filled with excitement as the vampires behind us speculated about what she might mean.
Beside me, Sebastian clenched his jaw as he stared at his mother. Did he know what was happening?
I had a terrible feeling about this.
When the anticipation in the air was so thick I could barely breathe, the queen reclined on her throne and cleared her throat. “Not only is this a momentous occasion because my darling son has agreed to this union, but in a show of good faith to the people of Ipotha, a Binding will be performed.” She paused. “Tonight.”
A series of gasps came from behind me, and my heart squeezed.
I did not know what a Binding was but based on the dread curling in my stomach; I was certain it couldn’t be good.