Ariana POV
When she woke up, she didn't know how long she'd slept, except that warm, strong sunlight shone through the arched windows. She could see the villa's lush greenery and flowers out the windows ... and no Dimitri anywhere in the room. The bed was empty.
Wincing at the soreness between her thighs, she got out of bed and padded to the palatial bathroom. A Jacuzzi tub, state of the art, and a luxurious shower made her feel as if she now had her own personal spa. Fresh roses in vases filled the room with their perfume.
All her favorite skin care products were lined up on a vanity. Including Korean skincare that she'd only dreamed of being able to afford. She washed her face and stepped into the shower, eager to wash off the last two days. Though Dimitri's scent still made her smile and feel desire again.
What was the matter with her? She was his toy. His sugar baby. His plaything.
And if she was, was it so wrong to enjoy it?
The hot water spray bathed her body, making her feel human again. God, she'd never been so grateful for a simple shower, or washing her hair.
After towel-drying herself, she brushed her hair, and made herself presentable, all the while running through scenarios in her mind.
Having her aunt and uncle safe and sound was her top priority, other than staying hidden and out of reach of the Lyunovs. To achieve those goals, she'd happily call Dimitri "Daddy" and make love to him as often as he wanted.
But it wasn't making love. It was sex, nothing more. Sex and providing him with her blood.
Her shoulders slumped, but she stood up straight. No matter what, she had dignity and worth. She wasn't a vampire's victim. Dimitri wanted her enough to take her to his remote love nest. That soothed her ego. She put on the soft cotton robe laid out for her.
In the bedroom, a cup of coffee with cream waited for her. She went for it like a lifeline, and sipped with gusto. She'd never tasted anything better in her life than this cup of coffee.
While she drank the hot, steaming beverage, she walked over to the window and stared out at the scenery. Orchards and Mediterranean-style plants surrounded the gleaming white villa. Outside, gardeners worked hard on the landscaping. Rolling green hills surrounded the villa. It looked like the perfect hideaway for a reclusive royal.
A soft sound behind her made her rotate to face whoever it was. A young maid in a black uniform smiled at her. Since she had skin as pale as Dimitri's and golden eyes, Ariana surmised she was a vampire, too. The young woman said sweetly, "His Highness would like you to join him for breakfast when you wake."
"Certainly. I'll be there in ten minutes, as soon as I get dressed." That should make her feel more normal.
The young maid walked to the closet. "I can help you pick out something."
Bewildered, Ariana followed her. "Thank you, but I think I can manage."
"Those are the prince's orders, Miss Ariana," the maid answered. "I'm Elina, and I'll be your lady's maid from now on. It's so exciting--an American, and human royalty in hiding, and the prince saved you. It's very romantic."
"It certainly seems like something out of a novel," Ariana agreed, not wanting to argue with Elina, who seemed cheerful.
Maybe Elina could enlighten her about this crazy situation she was in.
"What's the weather today?" she asked.
"Cool and crisp," Elina replied, pulling a soft pink chenille sweater from the closet, and picking a flattering pair of jeans. "This should fit you."
Dimitri had excellent taste, Ariana decided. It didn't make up for his arrogance and haughtiness, but she could appreciate his sense of style. She took her time getting dressed, feeling awkward because Elina stood by in case she needed help.
"Thank you, Elina," Ariana said, heartfelt. "You're only the second nicest person I've met in Merak. And aren't you risking your life to shelter me?"
Elina shrugged. "It's what the prince wants." A dreamy smile crept across her face. "He's so noble and handsome. Everyone here would follow him to the ends of the earth."
Ariana was impressed."He's willing to defy his family and save me from this sacrifice. Why, exactly, does his family hate mine so much?"
A shadow flitted across Elina's pretty triangle-shaped face. "We shouldn't keep His Highness waiting. Follow me, please."
Ariana threw up her hands. "Will someone tell me what's going on, please?"
Elina marched toward the door. "The prince will explain everything. Right this way."
With a sigh, Ariana followed Elina, a miniature dynamo. It wasn't Elina's fault that Ariana found herself in this predicament. Besides, she could use a friend, and Elina seemed sweet.
She asked about the villa, a safer subject, while Elina guided her through the airy white rooms to the dining room. The size of the villa and the expensive artwork and antiques awed Ariana. A workout room, a home theater with an enormous flat-screen TV, a home office, a music room, and a big living room with a sunken seating area all looked like something out of a magazine. Elina animatedly told her about the various rooms. By the time they reached the dining room, she'd learned quite a lot about the villa, which Dimitri owned all by himself.
Seated at the long oval-shaped dining room table, Dimitri looked up and smiled as Ariana strolled in. He wore a simple white long-sleeved open shirt and looked sexier in it than most men looked in suits. A full breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, and baklava tempted her. God, it smelled good, and she hadn't eaten anything in probably a day. And Dimitri seemed to have a full plate.
"You ... you eat?" she asked.
"I don't need to, but I enjoy it," he said simply. "Come and have breakfast."
Ariana felt out of her depth.
"Come and eat, pet," he purred. "You need your strength."
Gritting her teeth at the reminder that she belonged to him, she joined him at the table.
* * * * *
Luc POV
D*mn Dimitri! His brother had gone too far.
Prince Luc Lyunov backhanded Louis, Dimitri's human best friend whose name was too close to his. That was one reason Luc found him so irresistible.
"Where is he?"
Blood pouring out of his mouth, brown-haired olive-skinned Louis stayed quiet, sitting in his chair where Luc had tied him. A very uncomfortable chair. Louis deserved to suffer.
"What did my family ever do to you do make you betray us, huh?" he snarled at Louis.
No answer. Louis just stared at the ceiling painted with stars and moons.
"I asked you a question!" Luc kicked the obstinate man in the shins.
Louis' cry of pain and his smell of desperation weren't enough to improve Luc's mood.
"He is a royal prince of Merak," Luc said, circling Louis. "He must have temporarily forgotten that. Maybe this human female bewitched him."
"You can beat me up all you want," Louis spat. "You can torture me. But I don't know where he is. He didn't tell me."
Luc perked up. "But he's going somewhere with her. Where? Out of the country? Back to America? We'll scoop them both up the minute they get there."
Louis just stared at the ceiling as if memorizing the pattern of the stars and moons.
Leaning close, Luc murmured, "You can't hide from me. I'll get the truth out of you--and then I'll find my brother. If you don't tell me, your precious Dimitri will die horribly. Tell me what I want to know, and I'll spare him."
Dimitri needed to put this nonsense behind him. Luc wouldn't stake him, not yet. He had something better in mind. Dimitri needed to marry Princess Irina Razumikhin of Lammas--a royal-blooded vampire. Then, Luc would persuade their doting parents, who always over-indulged Dimitri, to pack Dimitri off with his bride to Lammas. Problem solved.
And even without Dimitri, one way or another, he would track down the human princess. She would be sacrificed just as princesses of Trenholm had been every fifty years since medieval times. All because her family thought they were too good to bow to the royal family of Merak.
No matter what, Princess Ariana couldn't outrun her fate.