Byron held up her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, don’t poke me, Miss Honey. You must have a lot of questions.”

“A million is a conservative estimate,” Amelia joked, “but there’s something I need to know.”

Byron could see worry in Amelia’s eyes, so she stroked her shoulder and arms. “Tell me. I’ll answer anything I can.”

“What we shared last night—you feeding and making love—is that what you feel when you feed from any human?”

“Has this been worrying you? How could you think anyone else could feel like you? No, when I feed it’s like sating a physical hunger, but as the blood takes effect on my body, it heightens all my senses and needs, sex just being one of them.”

“Is that why you came to me so hot and passionate and hungry for me?” Amelia asked.

“Yes, but that was because I was in love with you. When I feed, I don’t need to have sex with the person I’m feeding from. But a lot of vampires seek out sex and feeding because feeding during sex heightens the experience.”

“So you’re not feeling like that for the other women you feed from?”

It touched Byron how insecure Amelia was, even though they had shared blood and she was now Principessa. She had to take such great care of her feelings and her heart because she had given Byron the precious gift of her blood and kept her alive.

Byron traced a finger over Amelia’s beautiful lips. “Never. You are all I want, all I need. Think of feeding with other humans as necessary, but when I’m with you, you feed my heart and soul.”

Amelia lowered her eyes and chuckled. “You’re so sweet for a vampire, you know that?”

Byron placed a finger under her chin and gently lifted her head up. “It’s the truth. Look in my eyes,” Byron said, knowing they were becoming red with the need for blood building slowly inside her.

Amelia gasped. “They’re getting red.”

“Yes, for you. My heart burns for you, and I have a hunger for you that’s never ending. You’ve seen the monster in me, and still love me.”

She watched Amelia’s eyes soften and lips part. “There is no monster inside you. Stop saying that about yourself.”

She wished that was so. Byron felt like she had been fighting this battle her whole life. “If only that were true. I did some things in my youth that cause me great shame.”

“I know what you did,” Amelia said. “Don’t be angry, but Bhal told me about the family you hurt, just so I would understand what you were going through.”

Byron couldn’t believe Amelia knew about her past. “Knowing all that, you came to me and loved me?” Byron asked with surprise in her voice.