“Wow,” I whisper, my footing slowing as we trudge deeper.
There are small cottage style homes that line each side of the lane. Not many, maybe three or four? Nate nods his head toward a larger style cottage home with white flushed wood and glass windows.
“Come on.”
I follow, because now I’m intrigued. Lights begin to flicker on along the pathway and the trees behind and in-between the homes. The darker it gets, the more lights start to turn on, around the houses, framing the windows and doors. We climb the few steps that lead to the front door and Nate knocks on it twice. And then twice again. As we wait, I admire the small gardens that decorate the front yard, with flowers I’ve never seen before. Mind you, I’m not a flower person so I wouldn’t actually know if we have them. Pinks, and lilacs and soft beige petals flourish through the greenery, like little spurts of life springing from nature.
The door opening brings my attention back to the forefront. A girl around my age is standing still, her eyes on Nate. She has to be around my age, maybe younger, with long brown hair and sparkling blue eyes.
“Salve, Malum.” She bows slightly, her head hanging between her shoulders as her eyes twinkle up at him.
Nate stands strong, nodding. “Salve, Adamantem. Qui scis haec?” The dead language drips off the tip of his tongue like melted chocolate. Addictive, teasing, and everything that you’ve ever wanted. Also an easy way to get diabetes.
The girl’s eyes come to mine. I see fire flash through them before recognition takes hold and has her dropping to her knees.
“Etiam, domine. Stuprum…”
Nate turns to face me. “I asked her if she knew who you were. She didn’t at first, but does now.”
“Right. Can you tell her that she doesn’t have to stay on her knees?”
“Sursum, Adamantem.”
She stands instantly, running the palms of her hands over her flannel pants and coat. Their clothes are much like ours, only dated back in maybe the 90s. She moves to the side and gestures for us to enter.
Nate shakes his head as he continues to speak in Latin to her. I watch as her eyes scan over him with lust. She’s hanging off of every word, her nipples hard for him.
“Have you fucked her?” I ask Nate, interrupting his rambles.
He pauses, his eye twitching as he brings his attention to me. I don’t give him the same courtesy, and I’m loving the fact that she can’t understand English.
I keep my eyes on hers, as she keeps hers on him. On someone who belongs to me. At least he does inside my head. And heart. The more I think about it, the more the rage burns.
“Yes. Frequently. Why?”
I tense, along with my jaw. I’m biting down on it so hard I’m sure my teeth will crack. “Interesting.”
“What’s interesting about that?”
I finally bring my eyes to his. “The fact that even in this world, you can’t keep your dick in your pants.”
He tilts his head. “You really want to do this right now. Right here?”
“It’s your tune, baby. I’m just dancing to it…” I sass, grinning at him. He infuriates me. Just when I think I’m ready to address and claim my feelings for him, this frustrating man goes and does something dumb like this.
“Don’t fucking throw metaphors at me, Tillie. Speak your fucking mind. I fucked her. Regularly. I fucking enjoyed it, and I’m pretty sure she did too. What do you want from me? You know I have a past.”
Just how far back does she go, though…
I exhale. “Good thing she doesn’t understand or speak English.”
“Actually,” she whispers softly. “I do.”
I still, my eyes flying to Nate. “Who is she?”
His jaw clenches a few times. “She’s an Adamantem, the English translation is Diamond. Basically, they’re the only living family that has a direct blood line to the Stuprum tree. So in short—”
“—she could run Perdita…” I whisper. Nate’s slut antics bumped to the back of my brain.
“Yeah,” Nate murmurs. “But you would have to announce it in front of the people for them to recognize her as their new queen.”
“Nate,” the girl says. The fact that I don’t know her name bothers me.
“What’s your name?”
Her eyes meet mine. “Valentina, your majesty.”
“Please don’t do the ‘our majesty’ thing. It’s creepy and makes me feel old.” I look up at Nate. “What makes you think you can trust her?”
Nate’s anger loosens as his hand comes to her chin, lifting her head up to face him. Nope. Nope. I’m about to crush this bitch.
“Because she’s of pure heart, Tillie. I trust her. That should be enough.”
His hand falls from her face and jealousy roars so loud in my chest that I find my feet moving in front of each other until I’m standing directly between the two of them.