Page 34 of Eternal Obsession

I stared down at the beautiful innocent creature, enraptured, and now understood how Jadeon had become so obsessed with her.

She yielded to me, entranced by my dark seduction—it was a dazzling sight. Mesmerizing in the way she gave herself over effortlessly, as if a hidden longing had finally been exposed.

Removing my finger from her mouth, I took hold of her hand, guiding her forefinger into mine.

Catherine’s eyes rolled back, teetering. Her legs gave way.

I caught her, preventing her fall.

“Yes,” she whispered it, a response to an unspoken question, a plea, a longing, a heart brimming with desire. I had unlocked the hidden path to her most cherished thoughts.

“Yes?” I mirrored my voice husky with lust for her.

God, she is exquisite.

Thwack!

A sharp pain struck the back of my head. I let go of Catherine and spun round to see Martha holding a large silver candlestick.

I laughed and dodged another strike from the candle. “So I take it a ménage a trois is out of the question?”

Martha was startled that her attack had no effect on me. I lunged toward her, and she screamed and leapt back. I howled with laughter.

Martha grabbed Catherine’s hand, pulling her toward the doorway. On reaching the chapel exit, Catherine turned and stared at me.

I smiled at her.

For a moment, she appeared caught in a trance, the echo of my touch still clinging to her. She blinked as if waking from a dream, her lips soft and flushed, her chest rising with each breath, revealing the quiet bloom of desire stirring within her.

“He is the Devil!” Martha shrieked.

I leaned against the chapel door and watched the two nuns running into the night. “You flatter me, Martha,” I called out.

Catherine’s subtle perfume carried in the air. I breathed her in, then shook myself from my reverie. I had a ball to attend.

Within the hour, I stood on the shoreline of St. Michael’s Mount.

The memory of Catherine’s touch slid across my skin like silk in moonlight, delicate, electric, and unforgettable.

Cornwall was opening endless eternal delights.

Other guests were arriving, and I strolled with them toward the castle steps. This was indeed a stately event. All had dressed in their finest attire. At the entrance of the castle, I saw Alex, Jadeon, and the man whom I assumed was their father, Lord Artimas. He was exactly as Alex had described. All three were busy greeting their guests. I paused for a moment and rallied myself. I was about to come face-to-face with a Stone Master. I had to convince Lord Artimas, who had an eye for vampires, that I was human.

If I underestimated anyone here, I would be in jeopardy.

Lost in the crowd, I took a moment to study the other guests and familiarize myself with the castle. Looking back again at the grand entrance steps, I was surprised to see Jadeon Artimas staring at me. He whispered into Alex’s ear. Alex’s face lit up.

I approached them, all the time scanning Lord Artimas’s mind for any indication of his suspicions of me. I bowed deeply, greeted them and threw a quick glance at their father, ready to retreat if needed.

Lord Artimas turned to me. “Sir, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to St. Michael’s Mount. I am forever in your debt.”

“Lord Artimas, I am honored to have finally met. Your son has spoken such inspiring words about you,” I said, almost cringing at the niceties.

“Lord Velde,” Jadeon said, “we are honored that you could join us. Perhaps later I will have the opportunity to become more acquainted?”

“I would like that very much, sir.” I studied Lord Artimas, reassured that I was in.

I followed directions into the lobby and left my hosts greeting their other guests. I looked about the finely decorated castle vestibule, observing the men and women mingling with one another. Taking a moment to read their minds, I couldn’t help but laugh at how warmly they greeted each other, while their thoughts certainly did not reflect such sentiments.