A boy stepped toward me—a beautiful dark haired, blue eyed boy. His complexion was flawless. He body was toned, and taller than me. He was wearing his hair combed to the side, but it protested and fell in his eyes. A memory brushed my mind, and I realized that he reminded me of Collin. Sneaky demon. Beautiful boy.
His dark blue eyes swept over me as his polished black shoes touched the earth, stepping closer. My spine was straight as he approached. I’d risen and dusted myself off as best as I could. The boy stopped in front of me. His voice was like honey, deep and rich, caressing me as he spoke, “Does this form suit your tastes?” he asked. My stomach fluttered, and I had no idea why. I shouldn’t have been able to feel anything, but I felt that. I felt the attraction to him. My throat tightened as he continued to speak, “The last vessel I had chosen was suddenly ripped away.” He smiled at me, as if impressed. As he spoke he circled me, his eyes touching every inch of my body, making me flush. Why was I flushing? What the hell happened to my emotional deadness? Kreturus seemed to bring it back to life. “You’re a clever girl, using her to help you. A woman scorned will do anything for vengeance.” He stopped walking and stood directly in front of me.
“You surrendered all your power to stand here and chat?” I doubted it, but I had to know. Flickers of emotions shot through me, but it was as if they were disconnected—like random fireworks streaking into the sky that weren’t part of the show. My arms had folded across my chest.
His eyes dipped to my breasts, lingering for too long. I dropped my arms, and his gaze returned to my face. I wasn’t sure what he was doing. I had expected him to kill me, but not this.
“Of course not,” he answered. “This place affects you, not me. I cast a powerful spell here after I found out what you were capable of.” He smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth. My stomach slid into my feet. His eyes slid over my face, “I underestimated you. A mistake I won’t make again. Especially not now.” He folded his arms and tilted his head. The black tux he wore fit him very well. It was impossible not to notice. Kreturus smirked. He noticed my eyes moving across his body. “Good. This form does please you. Now to make you, ah...” he paused searching for the right word, “more presentable.”
I was going to protest, but as I opened my mouth Kreturus’ magic had already started. A stream of darkness—thin as night—shimmered out of the air, and scrolled off a bolt as if it were fabric. I shrank back from it, but it followed me to the edge. Kreturus’ eyes were on me as the fabric began to wrap around my body, Jenna Marie’s pink clothing disappearing. One moment it was there, the next it melted into nothing and left me exposed. Horrified, my hands moved to cover my body, but the bolt passed over my chest before the last of the pink faded away. I glared at Kreturus. This seemed to amuse him. The fabric continued to dance around me circling again and again, taking the shape of an elaborate gown. The silky fabric had the otherworldly feeling of the tents the Martis were using. It was light as air, though it draped mound after mound of fabric across me. As the bolt moved downward, I felt the panels wrapped around my chest and waist constrict. The gown conformed to my body, hugging closely to every curve. When the dress was complete, the bolt faded from sight.
I stood perfectly still, feeling the breeze upon my neck as my heart sank into my throat. Kreturus walked to me with his hands clasped behind his back. He circled once, admiring the dress. “It suits you. Darkness with flecks of light.” He pointed to the fabric. It was darkness, the deepest, richest black I’d ever seen. It was as if the gown were made of shadows and lace. His finger rested on the neckline of the bodice that dipped down low. He touched a dark sparkling stone, and pressed it against my skin. His eyes locked with mine, waiting to see my reaction. But I did not move. I just stared at him. “Jewels cover your gown. Black diamonds. Black pearls. Black opals. This is a gown fit for a queen.” He removed his finger and turned from me. His arms folded across his chest, revealing his narrow waist. “I have forgiven so much and yet you still act distant. Cold.”
My eyes were resting on the view of the mountains and the night sky behind him. His words made me shift my gaze. “I don’t want this. I don’t want your presents,” I yanked the gown, shaking the skirt. “I don’t want you. The last time I saw you, I tried to kill you. What the hell makes you think that I’d be your queen? What twisted thing inside your mind thinks that I’d submit?” Anger reared inside of me. I tried to control it, but he made me feel out of whack. Why was I feeling anything?
As if he could read the question on my face, he answered, “Demon blood is powerful, Ivy. I don’t have to feed you mine for it to have an effect.” His arms unfolded as he turned from me, looking out into the night. The only reason he turned his back was because he didn’t think I was a threat. And with my powers voided by standing on this stone, I wasn’t.
I was trapped. There was no way out. My heart was racing in my chest, making it hard to stand still. The main question, screaming in my head, blurted out of my mouth, “Why haven’t you killed me? You could just take my power, and not deal with me. It seems much simpler. And I won’t have to look at you every day, and see what I’ve become.” My chest filled with remorse—his remorse. A feeling he placed inside of me. I tried to push it away, but couldn’t.
Kreturus was standing in front of me. His movement was so fast that I never saw him take a step. One blink he was out of arms reach and the next, he was nose to nose with me. I sucked in a shocked gasp, unable to step away. The edge of the cliff was too close. His beauty was breathtaking. A single slender finger tilted my face up to his, forcing our eyes to meet. I didn’t flinch away. My emotions were stabilizing. He was doing it. He was making me complacent.