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Darcy abruptly turned to pace toward the large bayShe wasn’t about to let him see just how much his concern meant to her

Not when she didn’t know if his concern truly was for her and not his damnable vampires

"As you can see I’m fine"

"It was still a reckless stunt You should have known better"

Well that effectively squashed the sun to bloo

"And what about that stunt you pulled on me, huh? I wouldn’t have needed to sneak away if you hadn’t tried to brainwash htened In anyone but Styx she uilt

This vaant to ever believe he could have been ood," he predictably countered

Darcy rolled her eyes "Oh, give me a break You did it because you couldn’t control me and that would never do for the oh-so-powerful leader of all vampires"

His thin nose flared at her attack "I was afraid that your desire for a faht" In the di An ancient king with fangs and enough power to make the curtains stir behind her "You couldn’t wait to rush headlong into danger"

Darcy lifted her chin She wasn’t about to be intimidated

Stupid, of course

Anyone with even the tiniest aence would be intimidated

"I didn’t leave just because I wanted to learn the truth of er toward him "I left because you betrayed ain whipping through the roo a sharp step backward Okay, maybe she was a little intimidated About to take another step, she was halted when Styx gave a stiff nod of his head "You’re right"

She blinked "I aarded her with his dark, hypnotic gaze "I wanted you to stay, and I illing to go to any length to keep you withto breathe "Because you need otiate with the olves?"

"No"

"Because you’re afraid I er to your vaave a s directly before her, his arainst his chest

She hadn’t even seen him move

"Because of this," he whispered before his lips closed over hers

Darcy grasped his arms as her knees eak Drat it Hoas she supposed to be furious with hi her as if he would perish without her?

Over and over he plundered her lips beforeof frantic caresses over her face Darcy gave a soft ic in his touch that was irresistible At last pulling reluctantly back, he regarded her with a stark vulnerability that nearly broke her heart

"Darcy, don’t ever run froht never hold you in ain befuddle her with his kisses, but with a strength she didn’t even know she possessed, Darcy pressed her hands to his chest

"Styx, wait," she coard her with a watchful expression For all his arrogance, Styx had never used his considerable strength to force her to his will Just his freaking mind tricks, she reed to narrow her gaze with a stern warning "I want it very clear that I won’t be manipulated I’m not a e"

His hand gently cupped her cheek "I don’t want a el, but it is very difficult for rimace rippled over his beautiful face "I’ve been accusto them obeyed without question"

Well, duh

She would have to be a co to bow to his every whim

Still, it was difficult to believe that there weren’t a few-people who didn’t treat hiod

"Surely you can’t order everyone about?" she deh "You irlfriends if they always allow you to have your oay"