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made it so pleasurable—Rhys wasn’t sure. He just knew it was dangerous to link himself to a powerful Vampire like Elias for too long. Luckily, the link should last only a day or so.
    “Rhys?” He looked down to see Verity on her knees in front of him examining his wrist. “Are you all right?”
    He shook himself to get rid of the strange sensations. “I am well.”
    Verity looked pale. “I have never seen anything like that before.”
    “A Vampire’s fangs?”
    She shuddered. “I have seen those, but never used quite like that.”
    He regarded her for a long moment as he sought the right words. “If you offer your blood willingly, a Vampire can use magic to make the experience very . . . pleasant.”
    She shivered and searched his wrist for the puncture wounds, which were now almost invisible. “You did not look as if you were enjoying it, exactly.”
    “I did what was necessary to keep us connected to Elias. Now he can find me when needed, and I him. Sometimes it is useful to have a touch of your enemy’s blood. It . . .” He struggled to find the right words to describe the powerful sensation. “It helps me understand the strength of his abilities.”
    “Well, you are braver than I am!”
    He couldn’t resist reaching down and cupping her cheek. “Which is why you should go home.”
    “I will not. I am no coward.” She raised her chin, but he kept his hand in place and stared down at her, the exhilarating sense of power he’d gained from that momentary link with Elias pulsing through his body.
    “If Elias asks you to let him take your blood, would you allow it?”
    She held his gaze, her blue eyes defiant. “Yes!”
    He wasn’t sure he believed her and leaned in closer until their mouths almost brushed. He touched her full lower lip with the tip of his tongue. “Even if he asks to take the blood from here?” He caught her lip between his teeth and tugged on it. “I’ve heard that can be a very erotic experience.”
    Her breathing was as harried as his own and he slid his hand behind her neck and kissed her. He plunged his tongue into her mouth to tangle with hers, to share for a long, luscious moment a kiss so fiery that he wanted it never to end.
    She flattened her hands against his chest and he drew back and released his hold on her. Her eyes were bright, her expression scornful. “Did you think to frighten me?”
    Rhys didn’t say anything as she got to her feet, brushed at her satin skirts, and took a stumbling step away from him.
    “You forget that I am not a shy virgin to be overwhelmed by your kisses and then sent packing like a child.”
    Rhys sat back and contemplated her. He needed a moment to control the unruly urges of his body, and her anger gave him that. “Yet you forswear your late husband’s name.”
    “Because my marriage was a disaster and I’m a still a Llewellyn, whatever anyone thinks of me.”
    He let his gaze travel over her. “I don’t think of you as a child, I can assure you of that.” Actually he was beginning to appreciate her womanly charms far too well. Judging by his past blunders, if anyone stood in danger of allowing attraction to rule his decision making, it would be him. “I’d much rather kiss a woman who knows what she is about than a virgin.”
    Her cheeks flushed and then she bit down on her lip. “I am not going home.”
    “I am beginning to realize that.” Rhys stood up. “So we must find a way to work together.”
    Despite his attempt to set her at ease, her eyes narrowed. “What exactly does that mean?”
    “Tomorrow night I will meet you by the queen’s chapel and you will demonstrate your fighting abilities to me. If I think you are competent, we will divide up our duties accordingly.” He paused to make sure she understood him. “If you aren’t able to fight, or I find you unteachable, we will need to think again. Do you agree?”
    “I suspect this is yet another ploy to be rid of me.”
    Rhys bowed. “I have every right to