The Raven (The Florentine 1)

Raven asked to be relocated to one of the guest rooms, but Lucia refused, stating that his lordship wanted her in his room.

Raven lacked the energy to argue with her and so, once again, she curled up on the divan.

Just before dawn Monday morning, she awoke to the sound of William entering the bedroom.

He stood by the closet, undressing with quiet, unhurried movements.

“I know you’re awake. I heard your breathing change.” He placed his clothes in a hamper and walked toward her, naked.

She allowed herself the luxury of admiring his form, even though it made her want to weep. “Where were you?”

William wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Hunting hunters. I caught them, thankfully. I caught all of them, hopefully before they informed the Curia. For the moment, at least, the city is free of hunters. Why are you sleeping there?”

She sat up, pulling the blanket from around her and handing it to him.

“We need to talk.”

His jaw clenched. “Can it wait? I’m still weakened from the attack. I’ve been looking forward to having you in my arms.”

“Just cover yourself, please.”

William muttered a curse, but did as she asked.

Her expression softened as she examined his face. “Are you all right?”

The skin of his face was still reddened, as if he’d been sunburned.

He turned away from her. “It will heal.”

“Since you’re resistant to relics, I would have thought you’d be resistant to holy water.”

He gestured to his face. “This is nothing. If they’d thrown it on Aoibhe, it would have eaten through her skin.”

“Why is it different with you?”

His eyebrows knitted together and he looked irritated. “Can we just rest? It’s been a difficult few days.”

“You asked me why I wasn’t sleeping in your bed. It’s because of her.”

“What the devil does she have to do with it?”

“She said she slept here—that she left you with her chemise.”

William appeared confused.

Then a ray of recognition passed over his perfect features.

“She has never visited me here. This villa repels vampyres. She visited me at my other residence at Palazzo Riccardi.”

Raven swore. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? You said Aoibhe was only an ally.”

“She is.”

“You lied.”

“I did not. Aoibhe is power hungry and manipulative, but she’s my ally and she’s been one for a very, very long time. I don’t trust her but she’s the closest thing I have to a friend on the Consilium. I need her support when dealing with those vipers.”

“Support,” Rave scoffed. “You slept with her.”

William lifted his chin. “I don’t deny it.”

“You’ve been sleeping with her while you’ve been sleeping with me, you arrogant bastard.” Raven stood.

“No, I have not.” William brought his hands to his hips.

“She said she left her clothes in your bed only days ago.”

“Aoibhe’s concept of time is somewhat . . . flexible.”

“That’s your defense?” Raven’s voice lifted. “That time is flexible?”

“I haven’t slept with her since we’ve been together. You have my word.”

“Why should I trust you? You told me she was an ally; you didn’t mention you were sleeping together. That’s a lie of omission.”

William’s anger began to grow, his eyes snapping. “You are a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

“What’s that?”

“You say no man ever wanted you but when one does—and wants you badly enough to risk everything he’s built for you—you tell yourself he’s a liar.”

Raven took a few steps on unsteady feet, her body clad in a long black nightgown.

“What are you risking? Tell me.”

“I can’t.” His eyes grew shuttered.

“God, William. Just talk to me. Please,” she begged.

He straightened his shoulders. “Some secrets I can’t tell.”

“Why not? Have I ever done anything to betray you? Or hurt you?”

William shook his head.

“Then why won’t you talk to me?”

“Not now, Raven.”

She threw her arms up in frustration. “You’re like a walled city. I don’t know how to get in. I don’t even know what your real name is or when you were born.”

“My name is William.”

Raven lifted her arms in frustration. “You have secret lovers like Aoibhe. I know you feed from humans but you won’t tell me about it. How do I know you aren’t fucking around on me?”

He took a step toward her, his eyes flashing.

“What we share in bed, I’m not sharing with anyone else.”

“Why should I believe you when you keep so many secrets?”

“My secrets are for my safety and for yours. If someone were to realize what I’ve told you already, you’d be in danger. They’d try to exploit you to get to me.”

“I’m already in danger. Being with you puts me at risk.”

“Undoubtedly. Which is why you need to let everyone think you’re simply a pet. I’m convinced there’s a group of traitors in my principality. I’m equally convinced Aoibhe is not one of them. That’s why I need her help.”

Raven’s eyebrows drew together suspiciously. “Need her or needed her?”

William reached for her. “I need to explain. She—”

Raven retreated, avoiding his touch. “She’s alive.”

“The hunters shot her with a poisoned arrow but they missed her heart. I was able to remove the arrow and her body regenerated. I also fed her blood from my private cellar.”

“I thought she was dead.”

“If we hadn’t been there, she would be. You saved her life as much as I, Raven, by distracting the hunters. You gave her time for her body to regenerate. And she knows this.”

“Tell her to send a postcard,” Raven sniped.

William adopted a conciliatory tone. “I don’t think the hunters happened upon us. I think someone in my principality informed them of our location.”

“Who?”

“I have yet to discover their identity.”

“Then it could be Aoibhe.”

“If she’d made a pact with the hunters, they’d have let her go.”