Chapter 16

Everything was set according to Eduardo’s plan. Only one day remained until the year-long mourning period came to an end. For months, he had kept a close watch on Christine, satisfied to see she had not grown close to any other male. In his eyes, she was faithful to him, which meant she understood she belonged solely to him.

She only went out with those she called friends, but he would make her forget all of them soon enough. Once she was back in his bed, he would keep her thoroughly occupied.

Lately, he could not stop replaying the image of her body in his mind. He longed to hear her soft moans once more, to watch her eyes turn gray with pleasure under his touch. He craved to be close to her, to feel her body tremble and surrender to the ecstasy he brought her.

A satisfied smile crossed his face as he reminisced about the night she had come to him. It felt as if it had happened just yesterday. He held onto every detail: every breath, every sigh, every sound she made.

He recalled how she had walked into the living room and kissed him, sweet and naive. He had been caught off guard by her boldness and kissed her back. The moment he breathed in her scent, he knew no other man had ever touched her, and a fierce hunger ignited within him. The thought of holding her in his arms and teaching her every delight of intimacy excited him beyond measure.

Yet she was a dhampir, raised under the protection of her former Master Olonso from the age of six. Eduardo knew he could not leave his mark on her or drink her blood freely. Still, he could not resist her. He lifted her up and carried her straight to his room.

When he undressed her and saw her lying on the bed, his desire burned even hotter. Her skin was soft as rose petals, untouched and pure. A shiver ran through him. She was his — he was the first to touch her, to taste her, to be with her.

He moved closer, his hand gliding slowly from her leg up to her most intimate area. His palm brushed over her, his thumb tracing gently against her, and he heard her let out soft sighs and moans.

She was breathtaking. Her lips parted, her eyes clouded gray with longing. He knelt between her legs, pleasuring her, preparing her for what he desired most.

Just as she teetered on the edge of release, he took her in one deep thrust. He could feel the barrier of her innocence, but he pushed forward anyway, growling at the tight warmth that enveloped him.

Christine cried out, her body tensing for a moment, before her hips began to move in response, urging him on. Desire raged wildly inside Eduardo. He kissed her deeply, then trailed his lips down to her neck, lapping at the vein throbbing beneath her skin. He ached to sink his fangs into her. The scent of her lingering innocence drove his lust to new heights, making him want to savour every part of her.

But he held back. If his plan failed and Olonso survived the attack, acting recklessly now would seal his own doom. He would have to wait — only a few more hours.

She reached her first climax quickly. He had the rest of the night to take his time, to love her until she grew weary and could no longer move. As he moved above her, he stared intently at her face. It was only then that he truly saw her: a beautiful, alluring woman who was entirely his.

He could see the want in her eyes for him. When he finally reached his own peak and spilled himself inside her, he swore that no one else would ever have her. From that night onward, she belonged to him, forever.

But fate turned cruel the next evening. When he woke, Christine was gone from his bed. He had thought he had made it clear what awaited her, yet she had reacted far differently than he expected. She had fled him, fled the clan that was meant to be her home.

Eduardo ground his teeth as the memories flooded back. Now she walked about freely, calm and unknowing of the surprise he had in store. He had lingered in the shadows all year, giving her space and time, but that patience was over.

“I’ve bought the dress and shoes you asked for. I left the lingerie aside, just as you said.”

“I will handle the lingerie myself,” Eduardo rumbled.

“I’ve heard she’s been taking combat training,” André spoke quietly.

“Heavens knows why she bothers. I’m here to protect her. She will never need to lift a hand to defend herself.”

“Perhaps she is preparing for trouble,” André sighed. Eduardo refused to admit Christine might be training to stand against him. “If she comes back, what do you plan to do about Matilde?”

“She

will

come back.” Eduardo frowned sharply at his companion. “What of Matilde?”

“Christine will not stand by and watch her grow so intimate with you in public.”

“Everyone knows their place. If they forget, I will remind them,” Eduardo threatened coldly.