Page 46 of Blood and Roses

Rosa let her herself go in a heat of yearning and lust until they were both gasping, tangled in neglected clothes and sheets.

"There issomething I want to know," Rosa said an hour later. She lay with her back to him, his warm body beside her.

He propped his head up with his free hand, "Ask it."

"Why didn't you bite me?"

"I'm sure I did a few times," he said, nibbling on her shoulder.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it." She rolled onto her back so she could look up at him.

"When we feed, it's not only blood that we are taking. Have you heard the saying of 'there is memory in the blood'? Well, it's true. When we take it, we see people's memories and feel their emotions as if they're our own. If I were to take your blood, I would know everything about you in a moment, everything you have done and felt." He stroked her cheek. "I would rather do it the old-fashioned way and try to unravel the mystery that is Rosa Wylt."

"If you ever figure her out, please let me know," she said seriously.

"I have to warn you," he said, making her shiver involuntarily as his hand moved down between her legs and stroked her, "it may take a while."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Rosa woke the next morning filled with drowsy satisfaction. She stretched out an arm, searching for a warm, hard body but found none.

"You've got to be kidding me," she sighed. Rolling over she found a still warm cup of tea and a note:Early meeting, enjoy the tea and please do not touch the painting. It's still drying. B.

She was smiling before she could stop herself. She could still smell his aftershave on her skin and in the sheets.

Downstairs, her lounge room had been reassembled, and the painting was standing on the mantle above the built-up fire.

What if you are reading way too much into this,an unwelcome voice whispered in her mind.What if he was only willing to break Eli's rules for a night to scratch an itch? You had best protect yourself from those burning eyes and get your game face on, Wylt.

Rosa finished her tea, showered, and dressed, determined to treat it like any other day.

"How are the preparations coming?"Eli asked over the noise of the London traffic.

"Fine, good," Balthasar answered vaguely as he opened the curtains in his office and looked toward the Wylt cottage. "It's snowing."

"Already? How are the stones?"

"Humming. The humans will be able to hear them soon. You're not worried that the Seelie will try to come early?"

"They might be able to send one but not an army. Keep an eye out for a herald or messenger. They will likely send someone to spy out the land before Ryn arrives. It's something the pompous bastard would enjoy doing."

"Now, now, Father. You had best be careful talking about our honored guest in such a manner. How are the kids enjoying their break?"

"Saul has been helpful with final negotiations. People like him and are more at ease with him than with you. Although, Blackfox's widow is looking at him like she wants to eat him alive."

"They prefer him because you haven't made Saul your executioner for the last four hundred years," Balthasar said with only a twinge of resentment. "And I will give him to Eliana, gift wrapped, if it means her people won't seek revenge on us."

Eli laughed brightly. "No one would ever take Saul's threats seriously, and your reputation will always work in your favor. I've let Lily and Pearl have their head while we are here."

"Is that wise?" Balthasar knew what qualified as entertainment for Pearl. He could only hope that Lily knew how to get rid of the bodies.

"I have one of Riverclear's men keeping an eye on Pearl to make sure she is discreet with her hunting habits."

"Lily needs to put her on a leash—a tight one, with a choke collar."

"She is young and impetuous. She'll calm down and fall in line. Or she will slip up and get put down," Eli said nonchalantly. "How is our Rosa?"

Balthasar's memory gifted him with an image of her with her back arched, her mouth opened in a silent scream of ecstasy.

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