She felt Amelia’s hands wrap around her neck, and her nails graze her skin. All Byron could hear was the thundering of Amelia’s blood through her veins. Her mouth watered. She wanted it—she needed it.

Just take it. Take it now.

Suddenly Amelia pushed back from her, and said, “What do you mean, I’m in your blood and you’re in mine? What does that have to do with this bite?”

Byron rubbed her face, trying to push away the effects of her hunger. Being with Amelia so close was tearing her apart, but she’d use every inch of control she had not to break down in front of her.

“We are bound in blood and spirit for all eternity,” Byron managed to say.

“What the hell does that mean?” Amelia said suspiciously.

“Remember our last night in the Monte Carlo estate?”

Amelia wandered back over to her, and folded her arms defensively. “How could I forget? It was the night my whole world started to crumble.”

Byron said, “When I bit your neck, I tasted a drop of your blood, and I became so overwhelmed, our lips clashed—”

A look of realization came over Amelia. “We kissed, and I tasted your blood. What does that mean? Will I become a vampire or something?”

“No, not at all. When a vampire loves someone and their DNA is compatible, they can share blood and become bonded by it. You and I became that quite by accident. We are bonded by blood. You feel my need to feed. You can sense my feelings and I yours. In human terms it’s a vampire marriage. You are my Principessa.”

“Is that why everyone is bowing to me? I’m Mrs. Debrek without even being asked, not even so much as an engagement ring? I thought you people believed in consent?”

That comment hurt Byron. Little did Amelia know she was prepared to die so that Amelia wasn’t forced into giving her blood to survive. “We do. It was my mistake, and I’m sorry.”

“Did you know this when you left me?”

Byron shook her head. “No, I only found out recently, and when I did, I came back.”

“Let me pass, Byron. I want to leave,” Amelia said with a storm of emotions brewing on her face.

Byron tried to take her hand, but it was pushed away. “Please don’t leave the house. Victorija knows you’re my Principessa, and wants to use you as a bargaining chip.”

“Funny. She wants to use me just like you did. Let me out the door, Byron, or I will run.”

Byron stood back and sighed. “I’m sorry. I left because I loved you, and it destroyed me to do it.”

Amelia walked out the door without looking back.

* * *