I gaze down and admire Stella’s ethereal beauty while she sleeps—the way her dark hair fans over the pillow, the way her full lips rest in a sensual pout, and the manner in which her hips curve like a seductive song that speaks to the male in me. So beautiful. My Stella…
Enjoying the gentle purr of her soft, rhythmic breaths, I lie down next to her, knowing that if she is roused, I can use my gifts to lull her back to sleep. For the moment, however, I want to feel her warm body close to mine. I want to infuse my mind with the sensations only she has managed to provoke over the course of a very long existence. But what if she does not have true feelings for me?
I do not like that idea one little bit.
I roll onto my back, stare at the ceiling, and rest my hands over my stomach. There is a soft whirr from a small machine in the corner that reminds me of a gentle breeze. It is most soothing. I will have Neli purchase one for my coffin. Perhaps it will make me feel closer to Stella while we are parted during the day.
I sigh. “Stella, Stella, Stella. What are you doing to me?” I should be out there in the new world, exploring all the riches it has to offer, and conquering its terrain. I should be seeking out the company of other vampires and learning their new tricks. Concealment is infinitely more difficult in this day and age, and we must adapt or perish. I am certain not much has changed in the way of vampire hunters, either. They were a pain in the ass when I was three hundred years old, and they are probably a pain in the ass now. But instead of worrying about that, or about acclimating to this new time, I am cutting my hair and going on shopping expeditions. All for a woman.
The most disturbing part is that Neli is right; Stella is a good girl. I can see how deeply she cares for her family—it is in her eyes when she talks about making Stellariva into something grand. She wants to honor her family name.
I sigh and turn my head toward my sleeping goddess. You are truly a remarkable woman. And this being my opinion after only a handful of interactions, I can only imagine how much more impressed I might become if we truly spent time together.
Suddenly, there’s a niggling stab of guilt in my gut. Despite my desire to drink her virgin blood again tonight and feel her warm, soft body beneath me, I fear my presence will only taint such loveliness.
It pains me to say it, but I do not want her if it means destroying her—such a sweet, perfect flower meant only to be admired. If she were mine, I would want to make her into a vampire, which would destroy her very nature. So beautiful, so kind, so human.
“I am sorry, Stella, but I must not see you again.” The realization shocks me. I have never walked away from anything I desired. Not once.
“Boz…” Still deep in slumber, Stella rolls to her side and flings an arm over my torso. “I like you…” she mumbles.
I smile and pat her soft hand. “And I you, Stella. And I you.” I let out a long sigh. “You are released from my powers henceforth. Your mind is your own. Your will is your own, now and forever.”
I will never again be able to use my powers on her. And she will forever be free of me.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Stella
I took some time on my appearance today, carefully applying makeup and styling my dark brown hair to have some body with a nice wave to it. I’m wearing my blue and white maxi dress with spaghetti straps and a scoop neck that shows off my cleavage. I know, I know, my meeting with Boz and Neli is not a date. I just want to look my best so I feel more confident. Sure, that’s why.
The doorbell rings and my heart races. I stride to the front door, already smiling in anticipation of my visitors. “Hi!” My smile drops as I realize Neli is here alone for our meeting. Her red hair is down, contrasting with her light blue V-neck blouse. “Where’s Boz?”
Her brows shoot up over wide green eyes.
My cheeks heat. “He told me to call him that last night.” I run my finger along the gold bracelet he gave me, delighting in its darling charms. I peer behind her, hoping he’s just running late. “Is he coming?”
“No.”
My shoulders droop, and I turn, gesturing her in. I try to hide my disappointment. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him all day. He was kind enough to agree to help our winery, he gave me a gift, he was so attentive last night, and, let’s face it, he’s drop-dead gorgeous. From his dark hair to his unusual silvery eyes to his exquisitely muscular build. The total package.
Oh, man, I’m so easy. Give me a charm bracelet, and I’m charmed.
I refocus on Neli and put some enthusiasm into my voice. “Would you like a drink, or should we go straight to the storeroom?” I invited them over to taste our different vintages in an effort to narrow down the best choice to blend with one of their wines.
“Storeroom is fine by me,” she says.
I lead her through the house, heading for the back door, and say a quick hello to my twin sisters in the kitchen, where they’re baking red velvet cupcakes. Their futures are never far from my mind. Winning that baking competition would be a blessing, but not something we can count on. My family is counting on me to get this winery back on its feet.
After a short walk to the storeroom in an adjacent building, I remind Neli of our current inventory. She had the tour last night, but I don’t expect her to remember every detail.
In no time at all, Neli settles on a cabernet sauvignon she says has potential. “It’s bold.”
I study her expression, looking for signs of disgust like Boz showed the first time I offered him our wine. Though last night he seemed fine with it. You know, I hadn’t tasted that particular bottle the night we met, already being tipsy from tasting their wine. Maybe it was just a bad bottle. I relax, feeling so much better about the whole thing.
I smile. “I’m glad you think so. We could blend it with your award-winning merlot.”
She rocks her head side to side, and I can tell she’s not on board.
“I was being presumptuous. Tell me which wine you think it would blend well with.”
She lifts her glass. “How about I take a bottle of this with me, think it over, and try a few?”
“Absolutely.” I retrieve a bottle for her, and we head outside.
She tells me about the right flavors for a blend for immediate consumption versus long-term aging potential, but I’m finding it hard to focus. All I can think about is visiting Castle Sangria and seeing him again.
I walk her to the well-worn dirt path that leads to the main road. It’s a perfect summer day, and the view of Castle Sangria as we walk buoys my spirits even more. “Thanks for your help, Neli. I’d love to try some blends with you.” I smooth my hair back, trying not to look too eager. “We could make a night of it, invite Boz to join us too.”
She looks off to the castle, back to me, and cocks her head. “I’m the head of operations, not him.”
“Oh, of course, I understand.” I play with the wineglass charm on my bracelet, a smile tugging at my lips. “I was also thinking I could take another look at your barrel room to plan an event there.” I meet her eyes. “I want to contribute as soon as possible to your winery. This isn’t just a one-sided arrangement. We could do a joint harvest celebration outdoors in September, and a spooky ball on Halloween at Castle Sangria would be amazing. Such great atmosphere there. Of course, we’d have to add the spooky touches. Right now Castle Sangria is grand elegance with the great room, the barrel room, not to mention the dining room. I’m sure there’s even more that would be wonderful for guests.” I’m gushing. I can’t help it. I’m excited about our project.
“You sound really enthusiastic about Castle Sangria,” she says flatly.
“It’s magnificent,” I say in a breathy voice. But I mean he’s magnificent.
“I’ll let you know,” she says, backing away. “I’ve got your number.”
My gaze trails to the castle again, hoping to glimpse the mysterious man himself. I don’t even have his number to thank him for everything.
“Bye, Stella.”
&
nbsp; I snap to attention. “Bye, thanks again for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time. I know how busy you must be.”
“No rest for the wicked,” she says ominously.
My breath catches at her sinister tone.
She flashes a smile, turns, and walks away.
Strange. I rub the goosebumps on my arms and head back inside.
Boz
“You said you would remove the whammy!” Neli shouts, pacing my bedchamber.
It is much too early to be dealing with my insolent major-doody. I have barely had time to dress and seek out a spicy morsel wandering out of the local pub. The evil ones taste the spiciest.
I summon patience. “What’s got your panties in a bunch, wench?”
Her mouth forms a perfect O. I stifle a laugh. I have just proven I am up on the modern lingo. Now the one who said I could not change with the modern era has just been schooled.
She recovers herself. “Boz, you said you would remove the whammy, yet I saw Stella this afternoon, and she was clearly still smitten.”
Hmm…this is not good. I already decided not to pursue her for her own protection. “Are you certain?”
She shoves a hand in her hair. “Yes! You were all she could talk about. And she kept hinting about visiting the castle.” She shakes her head. “I trusted you. Ugh, why did I trust you to play fair?”
“Cease your complaining. I removed the spell last night.”
“Then why is she so eager to see you?”
I spread my arms wide, indicating my masculine perfection displayed in a modern black button-down shirt and black leather trousers. I will bring them back in fashion by example. “If she’s smitten with me, I assure you it is by her own choice. It is a curse I must live with, women throwing themselves at my feet—”
“You lure them in.”
“Begging me to take them to bed.”
“Boz!”
I flash my fangs in displeasure. “I tire of your harsh tone.”
She paces the bedchamber again, muttering to herself about playing fair and trust and all kinds of nonsense vampires have no use for. We feed, we kill, we rule. And we protect women in danger, even from ourselves.
I watch Neli wearing a hole in my Persian rug with her pacing. It pains me to say the truth out loud because I do not like to share. Still, it is the only way to silence her incessant complaints and irritating pacing. “I will not be pursuing Stella.”
Neli halts, staring in shock for a long moment.
I wait for her mind to assimilate the news. I have never once given up a woman I desired.
“Why?” she finally asks.
I walk to my window and look across the road to Stella’s home bathed in moonlight. She and her beloved family all work together for their livelihood. One that I will only destroy by taking her from them. “My presence will only corrupt.” I turn at her silence. “She is an innocent. A rare untouched beauty I must admire from afar.”
Neli sinks heavily to my reading chair and stares up at one of my finest paintings—two ripe melons. “You really did remove the whammy.” Her brows knit together as she lowers her gaze to the floor.
Her belief in the truth of my words brings only a moment’s pleasure before the eternity without Stella looms in front of me. She will marry another, bear children, grow old, and die. And still I will go on, never having the woman I have waited centuries to discover.
“Wait a minute,” Neli says.
I sigh heavily. Does she not sense my need to gaze longingly at Stella’s home without her constant chatter?
“You said you’d release me if I brought you Stella as a companion. How is that supposed to happen if you avoid her?”
I do not reply. Now is not the time to discuss the truth—I could never kill Neli. She is like family. Yes, yes, bound to me against her will, but no one gets to choose their families, now do they? I hope Neli will understand this when the time comes. As for Stella, resisting her will take strength and untested levels of willpower.
Neli appears at my side. “Boz, I think what’s really going on is that you’re letting insecurity get in the way of making a real connection with the woman who could be your forever mate. I know it’s scary—”
“I fear nothing,” I growl.
She gives me a patient smile. “What I’m trying to say is that if you really did remove the whammy, and she’s still into you, I think there could be something between you two. The best thing to do is spend time helping her with the wine blends, maybe have dinner together, get to know each other.” She blows out a breath and relaxes. “This is good. You’ll have your bride, and I’ll have my freedom just like we talked about.”
I cross my arms. “I am sorry, but Stella is out.”
She stomps her foot. “We had a deal! You get a replacement for me.”
“Perhaps a more suitable candidate will come along in the next century.” Or never. No one can compare to Stella.
“Fine.” She purses her lips, appearing deep in thought.
I can tell by the defiant gleam in her eye, this is not over. Neli is a stubborn one, a trait I happen to admire, except on occasions such as these. She intends to nag me to death until I change my mind, but it is not going to happen. I am determined not to pursue Stella, and Neli will simply have to accept it. “The master has spoken. Now, if you do not mind, I need time to myself to wallow.” As any gloomy vampire knows, there is an art to a proper wallow.
I stare out the window, noting that Neli is still standing behind me, stewing, so I give her the orders that will send her away and keep her occupied for a long while: “I will need my new must-have tees pressed by sundown tomorrow.” I wonder if this is enough busywork, so I add, “Also, I would like you to establish a falconry. Make that happen immediately. I do enjoy watching a bird of prey at work. It reminds me of my youth.” There. That should keep her busy. And once she is done with that, I will come up with more frivolous tasks. Perhaps have her buy some llamas and learn the fine art of weaving wool. Anything to prevent her from scheming or meddling in my romantic affairs.
“I know what you’re doing,” Neli says, “so if you truly don’t want Stella, I’m willing to accept it. No need to make me start an aviary or menagerie. But in all my years of knowing you, Boz, I’ve never seen you abandon a friend or ally in distress.”
I turn and narrow my eyes. “Stella is neither.”
“She is a neighbor, which technically makes her an ally. Even more importantly, you know her family’s vineyard is on the verge of going out of business, and you gave Stella your word to help them.”
My conscience makes a rare appearance, stabbing me with guilt. I did say I would help Stella, and Neli knows I cannot so easily turn my back on a vow. Damn my chivalrous nature. I want to do the impossible—rescue a woman and resist her at the same time.
Neli continues. “Her winery will go under in less than a year. Her family, whom she loves, will be destitute. Her younger sisters will have to give up their dream. Unless you’re a man of honor.”
Damn that Neli. She knows that maintaining my honor is my Achilles’ heel, but this is one of those rare occasions when I am damned if I do, damned if I do not. “I am a vampire of great power. I will get over the tarnish to my stellar reputation.”
She smiles. “I’m sure you will, but deep down, I know you’ll do the right thing and keep your word to Stella and to me. You help her, get to know her, make her your bride, and let me go. Everlasting love is your reward.”
Only my honor prevents me from destroying the delicate perfection of Stella. It is a painful irony.
“Please, Boz, do this for me.”
I feel the tugging on my cold, unbeating heart. Neli does not understand what she’s truly asking of me, of the risks to Stella. On the other hand, I am Prince Bozhidar. I have never walked away from something simply because it is difficult. For example, during a time of great famine and war in my lands, the humans fled and left me with very little food. Of course, I refused to ab
andon my castle, so I struck a deal with some unsavory merchant types, who often purchased wine from my vineyard to sell in faraway lands. In exchange for wine, they would bring me women. Food. From where? They did not say, but it seemed like an excellent idea at the time—I was pretty hungry. When my shipment finally showed up, I took in the women’s dirty, pale, bruised bodies all lashed together with rope. Clearly they had been mistreated. I ate the merchants instead—they tasted horrible. Then I freed the women. Of course, they had no way of getting home—they were many, all from lands I had never heard of, so I had to take them in. I had a very clean castle for many years.
“Very well,” I grumble. “I will help Stella in any way she requires.” And then turn away forever. I am strong. I will endure the temptation.
Neli throws her arms around me. “Thank you!”
I pat her back two times. The display of affection is entirely inappropriate. Still, an unusual glow of warmth spreads through my body. It almost feels like life has returned. Impossible. But nice.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Stella
I’m still not quite sure why I’m experiencing a sudden fascination with my neighbor, but it’s so intense that when I woke the other morning, I could smell him on my pillow—a woodsy aroma that reminds me of the night.
Such a weird thing to think, right? I mean, what does the night smell like? Maybe campfires and hot chocolate? Or…toasted marshmallows? I’m not sure, but his cologne is sweet and delicious. I just don’t understand how it got all over my room.
Hmmm… I feel like the answer is right on the top of my head, but I can’t quite get at it. There’s been a lot of that happening lately. Must be all the stress.
I toss the gray queen-size comforter off and swing my legs over the side of the mattress. The early rays of the sun peek around the curtains on the double window adjacent to my bed. Just behind those curtains is my fabulous view of Castle Sangria. I smile to myself and stand. I feel rested and energetic, like I could take on the world.
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