Blue Voodoo: A Romantic Retelling of Bluebeard (The Hidden Kingdom Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

roughened as it shredded itself on the monster’s teeth. “I have been an ally to your family for many, many generations. Perhaps it has allowed you to forget what I am.” That same shadow passed through its eyes again, not quite sadness, but a shade of…regret? “I will be very sorry if some day it should become necessary for me to remind you.”
    The chill that slid down Dominique’s spine did more to cool her temper than even the threat of becoming a bokor . She peered into a gaze as familiar to her as her own, and yet found nothing she knew there. Nothing but the eyes of a predator, calm and cold.
    It took more effort than she would ever admit not to back away from the creature she’d known since she’d left her cradle, the creature her parents had treated as a friend away from the prying eyes of the village. The creature who had seen her cry during the most shameful moment of her life—witnessed her at her most vulnerable.
    “I don’t want him here.” She hated the weakness that made her voice sound so small, hated that it came from her. Hated that there was someone here to witness it, whatever their history.
    “Understandable.” Parlangua met her eyes, and this time there was no shadow. “You were a child, barely old enough to understand your place in your community, let alone the world. You are not that girl anymore. Do not let him rob you of all you have worked for.”
    Unable to hold Parlangua’s gaze any longer, Dominique marched through the sludge of the swamp, heading with determination for the small cottage that was just now visible in the distance. Her safe haven, warded and far away from prying eyes. A place to be herself.
    Parlangua didn’t follow her. There was the sound of water swallowing a large form, wave after wave of ripples and then all was silent. Dominique rubbed her arms, unable to rid herself of the disturbing feeling that had been haunting her since news of Julien’s arrival had reached her. Change was on the horizon. And there was no certainty that she would come through it the same woman she was now.
    “Hello, chere .”
    It wasn’t just a voice. It was a memory, a living thing, supple, sinewy, and decadent. Two words and Dominique hurtled back in time to a night when the moon had been the only light to threaten the darkness, the heat had rendered clothing a curse, and the most beautiful man she’d ever seen had had eyes only for her.
    The same warm, strong arms that taunted her from the memory wrapped around her, a solid weight pressing against her back. Hot breath caressed her neck, bringing a faint hint of rum, and she could practically feel his smile on her skin.
    She spun in his embrace, fury giving her the strength to break his hold. She caught a glimpse of laughing brown eyes and sinfully full lips and then the cracking sound of flesh striking flesh broke silence.
    Smack!
    Unfortunately, it wasn’t her hand against his face as she’d intended. The miserable wretch had blocked her strike with his forearm, as though he’d anticipated the blow—which he certainly should have.
    “Now, now, chere. That’s no way to greet an old friend.” He slid his arms around her waist again, dragging her against his body as something wicked slid past his eyes. “How about a kiss hello?”
    Pressure built in her head, threatening to explode. “Let me go or it won’t be your beard I lay an enchantment on this time.”
    Julien tsked at her. “Such venom, chere . And I was so good to you when last we met.”
    His voice permeated her skirts like a physical caress, the whisky-smooth tone twisting things low in her body. Ignoring it, she focused on his beard, the cobalt blue strands reminding her of the curse she’d laid on him—her reasons for laying the curse on him. She could still taste the words as she flung them out over the sea, one of the few times in her life that her will had been all she needed to carry her magic.
    “So good to me…ha! And to every woman you’ve met