Page 32 of Trapped By Vengeance

Konrad glances down at me. “You didn’t mean it, then?”

“Oh, Idid.” Reaching up, I caress his beard. “You will be mine, Konrad— just you wait.”

“With bated breath.”

Giggling at his dry tone, I soak in his warmth like it’s my own. I can almost feel as alive as when I walked in the sun.

But that sun, now my curse instead of my siren’s call, is threatening to break through. I need to retrieve my cloak before it does.

I shrug off Konrad’s coat and stand. “It really will not be so terrible when you become my prize instead of me being yours. I would keep you very close indeed.”

Konrad studies me warily. “What do you mean?”

“I’ll explain in due time,” I answer, turning away.

And I can only hope that in due time, he will accept my offer— that he will elect to become my thrall rather than my victim.

Konrad is hunting for the small game he is certain he smells on this island. Eloise is always just within view of him as she collects plants and berries that she insists are edible.

I slip the berries I was served for breakfast onto the bark Eloise reserved for herself. I can’t stomach the thought of eating them when they will only taste like ash to my undead senses. But I also can’t waste them now that food is limited and Eloise is still growing. I used to have to eat so much at her age thatVaterhad to actually call for his farmers’ tithe to keep me fed.

Brushing off my gloves, I step out of the cave and glance around the island that has become our temporary home.

With the gorgeous surroundings and the even more gorgeous Konrad, I think I could like it here for a little while, at least. Eternity is a long time to not enjoy every experience offered for as long as it lasts, and I think I could enjoy playing family with my two captors for a little while.

It’s so strange that being a captive castaway on an island would make me feel freer than when I was a cherished daughter within castle walls. But here I am, pretending that I can stay here forever.

The pirates kind of ruin the façade, though. Even if I sense no active bloodlust in their spirits now, I know how easily it can be summoned.

I could probably wipe them all out, but it’s imperative that they not be the first life I take. My soul must remain maidenly in terms of shed blood—ceremonially pure— in order for the sacrifice of the first man I slay to give me the greatest amount of strength.

Shaking my head, I cast such thoughts from my mind and I tug my hood lower over my head.Vaterwill get impatient to see me, anyway. As if he doesn’t have an eternity of his own aheadandbehind him.

Since Eloise and Konrad are both otherwise occupied, I walk back up the hill and look down at the pirates.

The dozen of them seem perfectly content to remain on the beach. They are going through the supplies they’ve gathered, rationing food and setting up temporary structures from broken pieces of the mast and scraps of the sails. Thanks to Konrad’s blood, I can hear their whispers when normally the wind would carry their words away from me. Unfortunately, they say nothing interesting.

Whatisinteresting is that there’s a pile of stacked dishes that survived the shipwreck. I want those. And with my estrie speed supplemented even more so by Konrad’s werwölfe blood, I think I shall take them.

The twins have fashioned what looks like a large but awkward raft made of ship parts and a lot of twine. Baldy keeps looking at the forest, but the men closest to them keep shaking their heads emphatically.

Excellent. If they remain frightened of Konrad, then they won’t venture inland and put him in danger. My scheme would be ruined if they drove me to slaughter them to prevent them from killing my prey, so it would really put me in an awkward predicament. I am not done tormenting that werwölfe yet.

Turning back to where my company is working, I spot Konrad approach a perched fowl with his saber. Then Eloise grabs him just as Sir Pigeon approaches the other bird. Konrad’s shoulders slump as his prey flies away.

I shake my head to myself as a wicked grin stretches across my lips and I reapply my tonic perfume. I need to be especially careful of my scent, considering how close we lie by night. My grin widens at the thought.

Oh, no— I amfarfrom through with Konrad.

Chapter Fifteen

Konrad

Despite our present company, the day passes uneventfully.

The pirates stay on their side of the island, and we stay on ours. Or at least Eloise and I stay on ours. It seems like every time I turn around, Valda has wandered away. But when I glance back again, there she is— usually blowing a mocking kiss.

As the sun crests the horizon, I lead Eloise— and, unfortunately, Sir Pigeon— back to the cave. I finally caught a seagull to make a more substantial meal than the berries and saplings Eloise gathered.

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