Carnal Magic: The Wraith Accords, Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

reaction so swift or intense since he was young and untouched. Aed stepped back, not caring that the retreat would reveal how great her impact on him was.
    “I thought you didn’t play these games?” Aed bit out the question, angry with himself as much as her.
    Isabel’s eyes widened in surprise. “I’m not playing a game.”
    “Then why do you touch me and call me handsome?”
    She stepped forward—and Aed retreated a step. Again she came toward him, again he fell back. When his back smacked against the corridor wall with the ring of armor on stone, Aed realized how foolish he must look.
    Isabel’s skirts covered his boots. “Have you even been to the human world?”
    “No.”
    “Have you ever touched a woman who wasn’t Tuath?”
    “No.”
    “Then there’s a secret I must tell you.” Clinging to his shoulders, she rose onto tiptoes. She wasn’t tall enough to reach his ear, so her next words brushed his neck. “In the human world, women—Vampire or human—would beg to pleasure you. Ever since you took off your helmet I’ve wanted you. You’re dangerous and I don’t trust you, but I want to kiss you, to strip off this armor until I can touch your bare flesh.”
    Aed held perfectly still, desperately reminding himself that it was probably a ruse.
    She dropped down onto her heels and took a step back.
    “I want you, and that is not a game. It’s a dangerous mistake.” A slow smile worked its way across Isabel’s face. “I enjoy danger.”
    Aed’s free hand balled into a fist and the torch handle creaked under the pressure of his fingers. “I…desire…you also.” If he were a man of the court, he could have—would have—lied.
    Isabel licked her lips, and he caught a glimpse of her fangs.
    Jerking away from the wall, he started walking. “We should go. Prince Cairbe may not be the only one waiting to catch sight of you.”
    Isabel caught up with him and took his arm. “I do not relish another encounter. Is there a less popular route to our destination?”
    “There is…”
    “But?”
    “You would see places I do not think you were meant to.”
    “I am not a spy. I’m an ambassador.”
    Aed looked sidelong at the vampire. “They are different?”
    Her lips twitched. “You could blindfold me.”
    “For your own sake I would not. The halls of Tara are dangerous.”
    “Thank you, Aed.” Her words were quiet and sincere.
    “You’re welcome, my lady.” His loyalty was to the High King and Queen, his duty to serve his people. He could not, would not, forget that, even as he felt protective of Isabel.
    “Perhaps I will tell you a secret of the Vampire as payment for anything I might see.”
    “Such a payment should go to one other than me.”
    “But you are the one I wish to tell my secrets to.”
    They reached the end of the long hall. His planned route was to turn left.
    He turned right. “Tell me a secret.”
    “What do you know of the Vampire?”
    “You’re legends among the humans, things to be feared.”
    “Whereas your people were gods.”
    “And we were feared. Once. Long ago.”
    “Vampires have always existed among the humans. In every race and on every continent. As human culture developed, so did Vampire. Our long life enabled us to stay one step ahead of them and keep our existence secret except for stories.
    “The human world now is very different from when I walked in the sun. Duke Drakul feared we would not be able to stay in the shadows.”
    “That is why you signed the Wraith Accords.”
    “Our home on the Plain of Moytura has given us a place to retreat to.”
    “I’ve never been to the Vampire city.”
    “Compared to Tara it is a mud hut.”
    “The plain is…not an elegant place.”
    “I’ve read everything the humans ever wrote about you. The plain is mentioned as a cursed place.”
    Aed didn’t reply.
    “Don’t worry, Aed. We know you insulted us by offering us that land, but we took no offense.”
    “I’m sure the High Queen didn’t mean