Carpathian 01 - Dark Prince

echoed.
    Male amusement could be very annoying. Chess .
    Yes. Do you?
    Of course.
    Play with me.
    Now? She began to braid her heavy mass of hair. There was something captivating in his voice, mesmerizing. It tugged at her heartstrings, put terror in her mind.

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    I must feed first. And you are hungry. I can feel your headache. Go down to dinner and we will meet at eleven tonight.
    No way. I won't meet with you.
    You are afraid . It was a clear taunt.
    She laughed at him, the sound wrapping his body in flames. I may do foolish things occasionally, but I am never a fool.
    Tell me your name . It was a command, and Raven felt compelled to obey it.
    She forced her mind to go blank, to be a slate wiped clean. It hurt, sent darts of pain through her head, made her stomach clench. He was not going to take what she would have given freely.
    Why do you fight me when you know I am the stronger? You hurt yourself, wear yourself out, and in the end 1 will win anyway. I feel the toll that this way of communicating takes on you. And I am capable of commanding your obedience on a much different level.
    Why do you force what I would have given, had you simply asked?
    She could feel his puzzlement. I am sorry, little one. I am used to getting my way with the least amount of effort.
    Even at the expense of simple courtesy?
    Sometimes it is more expedient.
    She punched the pillow. You need to work on your arrogance. Simply because you possess power does not mean you have to flaunt it.
    You forget, most humans cannot detect a mental push.
    That isn't an excuse to take away free will. And you don't use a push anyway; you issue a command and demand compliance. That's worse, because it makes people sheep. Isn't that closer to the truth?
    You reprimand me. There was an edge to his thoughts this time, as if all that male mockery was wearing thin.
    Don't try to force me.
    This time there was menace, a quiet danger lurking in his voice. I would not try, little one. Be assured I can force your compliance. His tone was silky and ruthless.
    You're like a spoiled child wanting your own way. She stood up, hugging the pillow to her protesting stomach. I'm going downstairs to dinner. My head is beginning, to pound. You can go soak your head in a bucket and cool off. She wasn't lying; the effort to fight him on his level was making her sick.
    She edged cautiously toward the door, afraid he would stop her. She would feel safer if she was among people.

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    Your name, please, little one . It was asked with grave courtesy.
    Raven found herself smiling in spite of everything. Raven. Raven Whitney .
    So, Raven Whitney, eat, rest. I will return at eleven for our chess match.
    The contact was broken abruptly. Raven let out her breath slowly, all too aware that she should be feeling relief, not feeling bereft. There was seduction in his hypnotic voice, his masculine laughter, in their very conversation. She ached with the same loneliness as he did. She didn't allow herself to think of the way her body had come alive at the touch of his fingers. Burned. Wanted. Needed. And he had only touched her with his mind. The seduction was far more than physical; it was some deep, elemental thing she could not precisely put her finger on. He touched her inside her soul. His need. His darkness. His terrible, haunting loneliness. She needed, too. Someone to understand what it was like being so alone, so afraid to touch another being, afraid to be too close. She liked his voice, the Old World elegance, the silly male arrogance. She wanted his knowledge, his abilities.
    Her hand trembled as she opened the door, breathed the air in the hallway. Her body was her own again, moving lightly and fluidly, obeying her instructions. She ran down the stairs, entered the dining room.
    Several tables were occupied, certainly more than the night before. Ordinarily, Raven avoided public places as much as possible, preferring not to have to worry about shielding herself from unwanted emotions. She took a deep breath and walked in.
    Jacob looked up with a welcoming smile, stood, as if waiting for her to join the group at his table. Raven made herself smile back at him, unaware of the way she looked, innocent, sexy, completely unattainable.
    She crossed the room, greeted Shelly, and was introduced to Margaret and Harry Summers. Fellow