as he led her up the rest of the stairs. At the top, two gleaming crystal doors slid open.
They traveled down a series of long, winding hallways. Luxurious hallways. Gold brick walls had been draped with strands of emeralds that wound this way and that to resemble ivy. Alabaster columns were decorated with fist-size diamonds that had been carved to look like roses in full bloom. From the ceiling hung multiple chandeliers, each in the shape of a dragon’s head, crimson-colored crystals dripping from fangs that might have been fashioned from pearls.
The magnificence overwhelmed her.
“Do you like your...the palace?” he asked. “We’ll be replacing the chandeliers with a less hideous design.”
“It’s beautiful. It’s all beautiful.”
They turned a corner, vivid wall murals coming into view. Each scene showcased a man, doing something kind for a woman. Feeding her grapes. Undressing her. Bathing her.
“I had to paint over dragon portraits,” he said, noticing where her attention was fixed.
“You painted these?”
“Yes.”
“Your talent is...” Compliment her captor? No! “Decent.”
He squeezed her hand. “Perhaps you’ll pose for me one day.”
Her heart rate increased. Had nothing to do with Valerian, of course. She’d obviously developed an early-onset heart arrhythmia.
“Why did you take the palace from the dragons?” she asked, desperately returning to the previous topic of conversation. The safer topic.
“Nymphs have always been natural wanderers. For centuries, we flittered from one location to the other in search of our next sexual conquest, but I grew weary of such an existence. I wanted more for myself and more for my people.”
“Why? What changed?” According to her therapist, transformation required a catalyst.
“A sense of restlessness plagued me for months. I knew if I wanted a better life, I had to do something different. This is my different.”
Basically, he’d changed his mind. Just as he would change his mind about Shaye.
“Usually nymphs attack only when provoked,” he added, “keeping our bestial natures under strict control, but dragons are an enemy to the vampires, our only ally.”
“Do the other races not like the nymphos?” Bet I can guess all the reasons why.
“They don’t like our power over women. Layel, the vampire king, finds it amusing.”
She shuddered, praying she never came face-to-face with a blood drinker. “Do you regret the decision to steal?”
“Not in the slightest,” Valerian replied easily. “Once I entered the palace, my restlessness was replaced by rightness. Now, having met you, I understand why.”
She scowled at him. “Stop saying things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because—just because!”
They turned another corner. Valerian stiffened.
So did she. They’d entered what was clearly the dining hall...where the ceremony was set to begin.
FOR YEARS, VALERIAN had imagined his perfect future. He would lead the strongest army in Atlantis. His queen would rule at his side, happy to belong to him. She would adore him. Of course she would adore him. He would treasure her. Their days would be hot, but their nights would be hotter.
Finally he’d found her—only to lose her?
What if another warrior selected her during the ceremony?
Someone would. Surely. What man could resist the fire burning beneath her cool facade, begging for release?
Rage detonated inside him. He’d said he wouldn’t choose a woman, but he regretted the vow with every fiber of his being.
He couldn’t go back on his word, but he couldn’t allow his Moon to end up with anyone else, either.
What was he going to do? Not all of his men loved him. A few would choose her simply to strike at him.
His cousin might even attempt to trade her for his crown.
He’d also vowed he would never relinquish his reign. But what good was his crown without his queen?
He wanted—nay, he needed—her. To kiss her. To know the taste of her tongue and her skin. He’d come close to kissing her in the cave. Would she have fought him...or melted for him?
Like you really have to wonder.
She would have fought him. For some reason, she wanted to get to know him before she allowed herself to enjoy him. A novel concept. One he actually...appreciated?
He’d never before cared about the reasons a woman desired him. The pheromone. His pretty face. His strength. His exalted position. Whatever! But for the first time, he wanted someone to desire him for...dare he think it?...his personality—the man he’d become.
Doubts surfaced. You kidnapped her, putting your needs above her wants. Your personality is lacking.
Pain tore through the center of his chest. Could he win her affections despite his crime?
Perhaps. But he would have to win her the same way he’d won the dragon palace. With cunning, precision and an absolute lack of mercy.
Slowly his lips lifted in a grin. Oh, yes. She would soon find herself on the receiving end of a full-scale attack.
“Take me back to the beach,” she said, tugging against his hold. Her heartbeat drummed erratically against his back, and he could feel the shallow exhalations of her breath against his skin. “Right now. I’m through playing nice. Do you hear me?”
“Everyone hears you, Moon.” He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her body to his. “The answer is no.”
Their bare stomachs pressed together, and she sucked in a breath. His muscles jumped in excited reaction.
She might deny it, but she was aware of him in a very sexual way. A wonderful start!
“You are frightened,” he said, “and I’m sorry for it.”
“Frightened? Ha! I’m so angry I could spit.”
“Spitting is a sign of your anger? Noted.”
For some reason, his response caused her to screech.
At her outburst, several of his men flinched. A few regarded her with weary reluctance.
Hope bloomed. Had he just found the answer to his dilemma?
“Whatever you do,” he said, “do not attack my men as they make their selection.”
Her head lifted, and her eyes glared amber fire at him. “You can’t stop me.”
Do not smile, he thought. Get this over with.
Anticipation thickened the air. A contingent of warriors lined one side of the room while a sweet-smelling cluster of females lined the other.
“I’m not placing myself on the menu of this—this smorgasbord.” She slammed her elbow into his stomach, almost knocking the air from his lungs.
His men watched them with varying expressions of horror. For their benefit, he said, “Be still, woman.”
“Sure. If you’ll do me a favor and die.”
The horror intensified, just as he’d hoped. If he, the most desired of nymphs, failed to entice this woman, his men were destined to fail