His nearness brought his tantalizing scent to her nose. It rippled along her nervous system and warmed her everywhere. What the hell was wrong with her? I wont.
The angles of his face sharpened, just as they had in the gallery before everything got weird. How can you hold me to a promise and then keep from me the means to uphold it? His fangs flashed, and anger seethed just beneath the surface of the words.
She scoffed. How can you hold me at all?
Because I need you! The words ripped from his throat and echoed against the painted cinder block. He pressed his fingers to his lips, as if he hadnt meant to make the admission.
She flinched at the volume of his voice, at the sudden eruption of his temper, at the appearance of his fangs. Why? For what?
Two men burst in the door. She recognized one as the vampire who had held Henrik down against the cars hoodor tried to, but not the other.
My lord? the one she knew said.
Henrik paid them no attention. Leave us.
They hesitated only a moment, then nodded and left. No questions asked. Why did they obey him so automatically?
Why do they call you that? Kaira asked.
He heaved a deep breath. If you want the truth from me, Miss Sorensen, you need to give me yours in return.
I dont want to die. Thats the most important truth here.
An emotion she didnt understand flashed through his pale eyes. I dont want you to die, either, he said, gentling his tone. It was almost tender. Longing.
His words set off a pang in her chest she didnt understand. Was the sympathy she felt some sort of Stockholm syndrome? And did that even matter? No matter the reason behind it, she couldnt deny that he stirred something within her. She massaged her right thumb into her suddenly aching left palm. Because you need me, she said, repeating his earlier declaration.
He gave a stiff nod and wouldnt meet her gaze, clearly still uncomfortable with having shared that particular sentiment.
And what about the others? She waved her hand toward the door.
They will cause you no harm. He radiated such confidence, it clearly wasnt a question in his mind.
But it was in hers. How do I know that? How do you?
He pressed his lips into a thin line, then lifted his chin and nailed her with an intense gaze. Because I am their king.
The space of the room sucked to a narrow pinpoint. King? As in...
As in one of the seven remaining vampire kings in the world we both share.
Her brain scrambled to keep up with the idea that he wasnt just a vampire, but vampire royalty. Because being an immortal with supernatural powers wasnt incredible enough. There were more?
There have been seven for a long time. But, yes, once, there were more. Solemnity flowed through the words.
Competing questions pulled her in multiple directions. What happened to them? she finally said.
The creatures who attacked you last night are the ancient enemy that vampires and humans have in common. We call them Soul Eaters, because they drain the victims of their blood and steal their soul by drinking through the last beat of the heart. Many have been lost in the war with them. Now, your turn to share.
Kairas heart thudded a hard, escalating rhythm against her breastbone. She couldve lost her freaking soul? If Henrik hadnt shown up when he did...
Out of nowhere, she recalled the look on his face the previous night when shed accused him of attacking her, accused him of being no different than those others. Even then, shed known the words werent true. Everything about his bite, his drinking, had felt different, pleasurable even, as strange as that made her feel to admit.
She hugged herself and rubbed her arms.
Did it really matter if she told him what was wrong with her? If they wanted her dead, they couldve done it any moment before now. Okay. I, uh, I have chronic myelogenous leukemia. CML. Its why I have the fever, and at least some of the aches. Its in the chronic stage right now, but if I dont have the meds, the cancer will eventually accelerate. She crossed her arms and met his gaze.
The pale blue of his eyes was absolutely blazing. He slowly sank into the chair at her bedside. For a moment, she wouldve sworn he was devastated by the news, but that made absolutely no sense. And then his expression went neutral, a careful, practiced blank. He nodded. I see. And...your prognosis?
She arched an eyebrow. I wont die today. You know, unless... She pointed to him, and then to her own normal canine tooth.
Henrik barked out a laugh he covered with a big fist. He glanced up at her with the first amusement shed seen light his eyes. The sound and the sight stirred a bit of affection in her chest. Youre something else. And you dont know how right you are. He pushed out of the seat and crossed the room again. Hands on his hips, he stared at the door for a long moment.
Finally, he turned back to her.
Did you know some believe the aurora to be a bridge to heaven? A portal between this world and the next?
Kaira nodded. The mythology surrounding the northern lights had long fascinated her. It was ancient mans way of explaining something that, for them, had no tangible explanation. The Norse believed the lights to be the reflections of the Valkyries shields as they escorted dead warriors to their final resting place at Valhalla.
His expression was serious. Somber, even. And sad. Strange that I keep finding things in common with you, Kaira.
She smoothed her hands over her lap and debated whether to give voice to her suspicions, the ones shed developed when theyd first met in the gallery. And that were even stronger now. She took a deep breath and figured she didnt have much to lose. If he wanted truthfulness, shed give it to him. You mean, like, the fact that youre sick, too?
He blanched. Why do you say that?
Takes one to know one, maybe? Ive been around sick people for a lot of years. She picked at a thread on the thin blanket and shrugged.
He returned to the foot of her bed, his gaze penetrating into the very heart of her. When he finally spoke, his voice was tight with urgent grief. Unlike you, I have no name for it. And there are no medicines to keep it from getting worse. It shouldnt even be possible, but that doesnt make it any less real.
She nodded, butterflies whipping up a whirlwind in her belly. Suspicion of another sort bloomed. And you need me because...
Because yours is the first blood in years that has actually provided me any sustenance, and I think you can save my life.
Chapter 7
Kairas lovely face paled. She swallowed, hard. Is my blood why your eyes turned bright blue last night?
I believe so, he said quietly, watching her every movement, her every reaction.
And theyre pale again today because...?
Henrik tilted his head, hating that hed put this on her while she lay recovering in a hospital bed. He hadnt intended to just come out and tell her, but learning she was sick... He was as struck by the similarity of their situations as he was panicked by the idea that hed found his salvation only to learn that she might be taken away.
He couldnt let that happen. At least, not until he knew more about what her blood might be able to do for him.
Because it wasnt enough. Ive been afflicted with whatever this is for a very long time. He sighed and pressed the call button on the rail of her bed.
Jakob pushed through the door almost immediately and bowed his head in a gesture of respect. My lord?
Henrik turned his gaze to Kaira, intrigued by the expression on her face as she observed Jakob. The male was handsome, he supposed. At least, hed never had a problem finding a woman to bed. No doubt she found him more attractive, and how could he blame her? Still, a sharp wave of jealousy sloshed through his gut. He shoved it away. Kaira, do you have the medicines you need wherever you were staying in Tromsø?
Her face fell, as if she were disappointed by this solution to her problem of getting the care she needed. She worried her tongue over a scab on her bottom lip. Ja. Im at the Nordic Hotel. Or, was, I guess.
Henrik had to look away. Her sadness and resignation made it hard to breathe. And the wet sheen her pink tongue dragged over her lip made his jeans suddenly snug. Jakob, go to Miss Sorensens hotel, pack her belongings and bring everything back here.
Kaira sat up. I have two cameras and lenses in the room safe. The code is 5-2-9-3. Please be careful with them.
Jakob nodded. Of course. Anything else? His gaze was full of questions Henrik couldnt yet answer.
Nei, go while you still have the night. Its going to be tight to get back in time.
He smirked. Ill make it.
The door hadnt closed behind Jakob when Kaira spoke. So, what? You want to drink my blood again? She drew her knees up under the blanket.
At least her directness saved him the trouble of figuring out how to tell her what needed to happen here. Ja. He dragged a hand through his hair. Suddenly, an idea took shape in his mind. As much of a monster as this probably made him, he had to find out how feeding from her fully would impact his malady. But perhaps he could do something for her in return.
What if she fed from him, too?
His body snapped to attention, heartbeat pulsing in his fangs, cock hard and aching. He couldnt remember the last time a woman had elicited these reactions. Blood lust and physical lust usually went hand in hand for a vampire, so he hadnt craved the tight heat of a womans body in a very long time. Too long.
Thats it? Thats all you have to say? Because, you know, Im kinda using this blood over here.
The angered heat behind her words did nothing to rein in his physical reactions. He swallowed hard, forcing down his hunger for her blood. And her body. I know how this sounds, Kaira, and I am sorry. If there was another way...well, there isnt. Ive tried everything. I wouldnt take more than you could afford to lose at one time. I dont know if your blood will definitively cure me, but I do know without it...Ive no chance at all. He shook his head, still grappling with his thought of offering her his vein in return.
Usually, such a privilege was reserved for a vampires mate, especially given his rank and station. Not that hed ever been successful at finding a blood match that mightve led to his joining with a mate. For a single moment, he let himself imagine the immense satisfaction of Kairas lips at his throat, her tongue coaxing his blood into her mouth, her body clinging tightly to his.