Page 82 of Their Blood Queen

Edward must misread my reaction, because he hauls me out of the bath and plasters my wet body against his.

“I’ll call a doctor immediately,” he begins, but I cling to him.

“Don’t go,” I say into his wet shirt. I don’t dare look up or seal my humiliation with any further acts of insanity.

But I also know he can’t leave me like this. I’ll fall into my nightmares, and I might never come out.

Maybe that’s why I almost drowned.

Whatever darkness lives inside of me has been gradually awakening ever since this mess began. I’m not ready for it. I feel like I’m slowly losing myself and in danger of imploding if I don’t do something about it.

Tears sting my eyes as Edward pinches my chin and makes me look up at him.

I don’t see any nefarious intention there. He isn’t the man that Lady Eleanor told everyone he was. I’m sure there’s more to the story than the scandal I’ve heard, but I can’t find a fracture in Edward’s face to refute it.

He’s a complete gentleman. If he weren’t, I would be able to see his truth behind the mask.

He’s not even wearing one, which makes me feel safer than I ever have before.

“What else is Cain’s blood doing to you?” he asks, surprising me.

I knew it was Cain’s blood in my contract only because Cain himself had told me. I hadn’t expected Edward to admit its origins. Information is power, and men like Earl Rinhold aren’t known for freely giving up their power.

But maybe he’s not Earl Rinhold at all.

He’s just… Edward. At least with me.

“Why did you use Cain’s blood?” I ask, purposefully not answering his question.

Because the truth is that it’s making me want to speed our courtship along.

It’s making me want to do everything I probably shouldn’t before I’m officially Lady Rinhold.

His gaze flicks to my lips, which I realize I’ve wet with my tongue.

“Because you deserve the best, Scarlett. My offer of courtship isn’t in title only. I want to show you what you’re worth to me. Nothing else would do. I just… I didn’t know it could be overwhelming like this.”

I know the rumors and the tradition of Elite pairings. A courtship bound by a blood contract is a statement of intention and wealth. And it enhances everything.

Desire. Romance.

Sex.

But I didn’t expect it to feel like my insides are on fire and only my mate can stop me from burning alive.

Is Edward my mate?

“Why me?” I ask. My fingers have gone to his chest as I explore him.

There’s something missing. Like his body doesn’t quite fit mine, but I’m inexperienced. A man’s body simply feels foreign to me. What little experiences I do have were rushed and more or less fully clothed.

Edward’s answer to my question thrusts all thoughts out of my mind.

“Because I know you’re from Vulcan Village, Scarlett.”

My heart stops.

I take a step back, but Edward follows me. The wet floor makes me slip, and I fall against the wall, banging my head hard enough for me to bite my tongue.

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