Her reply brought an upward curve to his lips.
“Surely not,” he murmured as the brush moved, binding
them.
“I am my father’s daughter and my mother’s
future… or bane, depending upon her mood.”
“And cursed with as much understanding as
looks?” He dared her vanity, reached out with hollow
flattery to ensnare her-
Heed my will. He pushed against her awareness.
“Yes,” she said, and yet shook her head in a slow
roll of defiance.
Two addresses, two responses.
Richard smiled and his admiration shook the dust
from its feathers.
You will heed me, do as I bid. He tapped deeper into
the vampire’s reserves, burning twice as hot for half as
long. Felt the vampire’s intensity watching this interlude
unfold.
The sideways movement of her head continued to
offer non-compliance. And, she wasn’t even slightly in awe
of him.
“But can I tempt you with flattery? Will a full
cargo of it secure me your affections?” he asked, bringing
the full cargo of his will to bear on her. The words were
meaningless, all his words since he crossed her threshold–
aside from asking her name, were flotsam. The real
exchange was silent, And one way.
Ignored.
Interest.
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