The Shade.
My breathing became heavier as the jinni’s words sank in.
Benjamin was my cousin.
He was prince of The Shade, while his father was king.
I knew from the jinn that it was Benjamin’s grandfather who had murdered my father. His whole family were my father’s sworn enemies.
If it weren’t for them, I would’ve been able to meet my father today. He would still be alive. Hell, after my grandfather, Gregor Novak, Lucas Novak had rightful rule over The Shade. He was the oldest of the three siblings.
If it weren’t for Benjamin’s family, I would be prince of The Shade right now, not living in this jinn-infested desert.
I was losing control of my emotions. I needed to calm down.
Regulating my breathing, I stilled my mind, forcing my thoughts away from the injustices and back to the present time.
“I see that I have upset you,” Nuriya said softly.
Loosening my clenched fists, I cleared my throat and shook my head. “No. I am quite all right.”
I looked again at the figures of River and Benjamin Novak—now swimming in the ocean near the boat.
“I just wonder,” I said after a pause, “why have you not reclaimed them already?”
Nuriya smiled, revealing a set of pearly white teeth that were far too thick and strong for a human’s.
“Sometimes loved ones need a little time before they realize what is good for them…” Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Benjamin and River once more before vanishing the swirling vision. “You know what I mean?”
I nodded.
“Jeramiah,” Nuriya continued. “Benjamin Novak and River Giovanni are two of our own now. Now that I have answered your question, you do not have permission to harm him. Do you understand?”
I smiled courteously.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I do, however, have one other request…”
Chapter 16: Ben
Staying with River on the boat for so many days, I was relieved when we finally kissed. I’d felt the tension building up between us, and I’d wanted to kiss her much sooner. I suspected that she had too. We just hadn’t found the right moment.
With the guilt of claiming yet more human lives fresh in my heart and mind, River brought me the release of emotion I needed.
Closing my eyes as I continued to taste her lips, I pushed her up against the side of the boat. My hands roamed her body, exploring her curves through the thin sheet she wore in a way I hadn’t had the chance to do until now.
I kissed her harder. Too hard. She let out a soft moan as my fangs caught her lower lip. I should’ve raised my head to see if she was all right, but the fact that her lips continued to knead passionately against mine a moment later told me that she was. I was so consumed by the sweetness of her kisses, I barely noticed the bitterness of her blood.
The current parted her sheet-dress. I tensed as I felt the bare skin of her upper thigh brush against my right hip. Something about that touch intensified my desire for her and before I knew what I was doing, I’d gathered her in my arms and leapt back onto the boat with her.
I didn’t know what I was planning to do, or why I had just lifted her out of the water. My brain seemed to have shut down, my passions leading the way. All I knew was, the closer I felt to River, the more I touched and kissed her, the more the pain and darkness shrouding my mind diminished.
My feet carried us down into the depths of the boat, toward River’s bedroom. But just before I stepped inside, I stopped short.
What am I doing?
I detached my lips from hers and set her down on her feet.
My eyes traveled the length of her, the wet sheet clinging to her soft curves.
She didn’t know how alluring she was to me in that moment. How much I wanted her…
I swallowed hard.
It took all the willpower I had to step back.
She looked at me, wide-eyed and breathless. Her lips, flushed red, were slightly parted.
Although I wanted her, part of me was influenced by the need to forget that I’d just murdered again, and I knew that I would regret it if I took things any further with River tonight.
I cleared my throat, even as I continued to take in her beauty.
I found my voice again. “Good night, River.”
“Good night,” she replied, hoarsely.
I sensed hunger in her eyes, which made me believe that she felt the same heat.
But this wasn’t right. Not now. And not like this.
We were both awkward around each other when we crossed paths in the corridor beneath deck the next morning. She looked up at me through her dark lashes, her expression bashful.
“I…, uh, good morning,” she murmured.
Every moment of last night played in my mind. Our kiss. What might have happened if I’d let it…