The Red Lily (Vampire Blood #2)(39)

"Oh, they hate us, there is no doubt of that. Too many vampires have hunted their kind for sport. But they trust Sienna. And, as I am her friend, they keep their distance and let me be."

Friedrich stared across the room toward the chaise. "You're her friend, are you? Nothing more than that?"

Nikolai wasn't the kind of man who shared his pleasures with others. He was never the sort of soldier to brag of his conquests at balls and parties. And Sienna was neither a simple pleasure nor a casual conquest. She was far, far more. And he would have everyone know it.

"She is quite a bit more," confirmed Nikolai, a surge of fresh fury pumping through his veins. "And I will defend her to the death if I must."

Friedrich laughed. "Yes. I can see that is quite certain."

As if she knew they spoke of her, a soft sigh drew their attention to the chaise. Sienna pushed up into a sitting position, one palm pressed to her forehead. Nikolai shot over to steady her as she wobbled in place.

"Easy," he said softly, seated beside her, taking her hand in his with an arm around her waist.

"Where am I?" she asked, voice raspy. "How long have I been out?"

Her sleepy gaze found Friedrich standing before the chaise.

"You are in my home at Winter Hill."

"Does your head hurt?" asked Nikolai.

"Only a little."

"Let me get you some water." Friedrich strode over to the sideboard and poured a glass of water, then brought it back. "Here."

She cupped the glass and drank half of it down. Her hair had fallen loose from its braid during the mad dash across the country. The auburn waves around her face caught the firelight, shining like flames in the dark parlor. Her tousled hair and sleep-addled expression made her appear delicate and vulnerable, gripping an iron vise around his protective nature.

No. It wasn't just his nature. It was her, and he knew it. Everything about her called to him alone, demanding that he grab hold with both hands and never let go. Commanding him to understand one thing above all else. Sienna was his. Just as she owned him, body and soul. Her blood still sang a sweet serenade through his body, calling him to set the world on fire should anyone dare to harm her. There would be no respite for Volkov and his wayward comment toward her. Nikolai would shut his fucking mouth for good the next time he saw him.



       
         
       
        

"Can I get you something to eat?" asked Friedrich, casting a frown toward Nikolai.

The duke could probably hear Nikolai's pulse race at the thought of revenge. Nikolai had to get control of himself before he spontaneously combusted. Thankfully, Sienna was human and could detect no change in him. She cupped the glass with both hands in her lap, gazing up at them.

"No. I definitely can't eat after that journey."

"I apologize," said Nikolai on a deep exhale to gather some control. "I know it wasn't pleasant for you, but I needed to get us as far away as possible. So they couldn't track us."

"That royal sergeant," she started. "Volkov. Do you think he was looking for us specifically? Or do you think it coincidence?"

"Good question," said Friedrich. "Please allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Duke Friedrich Volya of Winter Hill." He offered a hand for her to shake with a warning look and arch of the brow at Nikolai to keep calm.

Rolling his eyes, Nikolai fell into an easy state. "This is Marius's kin. And our ally, as you know from Arabelle's correspondence."

She shook his hand. "Thank you for the sanctuary." Her gaze quickly turned to Nikolai. "Do you think we're truly safe? I've heard vampires can track for far distances."

Smiling, content now that she was awake and seemed well, Nikolai replied, "They can. But these are newly made vampires. I can sense it in their unnaturally swift heartrate. They don't have the honed skills of an older vampire."

"Like you," she said, warming his heart to the core in the affectionate glance she gave him.

"Yes." He suddenly wished Friedrich would vanish into thin air so he could lay her back on the chaise and mess her lovely hair up a bit more.

Friedrich cleared his throat, breaking the sudden trance between her and Nikolai. "So what is the plan? You had two more stops for recruiting, did you not?"

"Three, actually," answered Sienna. "According to my letter from Arabelle."

"Yes, but we won't be going. We'll be heading to Cutters Cove on the next tide."

"No, we will not." Sienna was fully alert now, the fiery spark back in her eyes.