If he wants to play, he should know that I can play too.
“Wait,” I said to Rhys, who was about to start climbing the steps. Wordlessly, I pulled him toward the fountain in the center of the courtyard, in clear view of where Kiev sat.
Once again I reached for Rhys and pulled his lips against mine. With each second that passed, our kiss got more heated until I had my legs wrapped around his waist.
Kiev finally admitted defeat. From the corner of my eye, I saw him drop his book to the ground and storm off in the opposite direction.
Revenge felt sweet.
For a few seconds.
Then I was overcome with guilt.
How could I do this to him? After all I’ve put him through already…
I broke away from Rhys and suggested we return to the room and start preparing ourselves for the evening.
At least all this torture we’re putting each other through will be over by the end of tomorrow, I comforted myself as we climbed the stairs back up to our room. Rhys and I will return to our island, and I’ll think of an excuse to never come here on visits again.
I was surprised to see Efren waiting in our hallway when we returned. He turned to Rhys with a look of excitement in his eyes.
“What’s going on?” Rhys asked.
“Isolde thinks we’re very close to a breakthrough. Do you remember the last time she got that feeling?”
“Yes, yes, of course I remember what happened!” Rhys’ face lit up. “How could I forget?”
I certainly couldn’t forget.
That was the time Isolde had finally unlocked the power to perform the binding spell within all the members of the coven.
I couldn’t forget that day if I tried.
Rhys’ eyes settled on me briefly—no doubt sharing the same memory that had just flitted though my head—before turning back to Efren.
“Your aunt is saying that there’s something about the energy of this island, and the rituals with these vampires,” Efren continued. “It’s pushing us closer at a faster speed than when we were working alone on our own island. She wants us to extend our stay here.”
Oh, God.
“Of course. We must!” Rhys said. “We’ll stay as long as we need to. You’re in no hurry to leave, are you, Mona?”
I smiled up at him weakly. “Of course not. I told you already that I have no problem with this island.”
“I’ll let the others know,” Efren said, and he ran out the room.
Rhys looked down at me with wild enthusiasm. He picked me up and spun me around the room.
“This could be it. We’re getting closer!”
He paused mid-air and set me back down on the floor.
“Why do you not share my excitement over this news?”
I quickly made my smile broader, but it was too late. He’d already detected my lackluster reaction. Now he knew I was just forcing my reaction to please him.
“You seem absent again. Something is awry with you,” he said. “You need to snap out of whatever this is. Even Julisse has noticed you’re not sharing the same passion as us and she’s barely spent any time with you. You need to change, Mona. Get your head where it needs to be.”
He placed a finger under my chin and pushed my face up to look into his stone-cold eyes.
“Remember what I told you before? You still have much to prove.”
Chapter 25: Mona
I can’t take any more of this.
Another lunch sitting opposite Tiarni and Kiev at the table finally sent me over the edge. I felt sure that he didn’t even like Tiarni. He was just using her to get back at me. Just as I was using Rhys against him.
I was glad when Rhys told me earlier that morning that he would be visiting his aunt straight after lunch. I told him that I planned to go for a walk alone and that I’d meet him again in our room later on in the evening.
Instead, I sat at the table until Kiev had finished his blood. Then I left after him. He was heading outside, through the great doors. He took a left turn and, walking down the steps, passed through the center of the courtyard. I knew how sharp his hearing was. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d already detected me behind him, but I was careful to make as little sound as possible—even going to the extent of removing my shoes and leaving them in a bush.
I followed him as he descended a set of stairs leading away from the courtyard. He stopped when he reached the pond. He stood still, staring into its waters. I took this opportunity to run down after him after looking all around me to check that nobody was watching.
A cluster of leaves crunched beneath my feet as I approached. He turned round to face me, surprise flickering across his handsome face.
“You,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest again, resuming his guarded body language.