"So you would dump that in someone's drink?"

"Yes, or I could blow the poison into someone's eyes, like I was blowing a kiss." Exactly the reason why mimicking a blown kiss was a heinous insult to Sorceri.

"The craftsmanship's flawless." He appeared proud. Yet then his expression grew lustful, as if his pride had only stimulated his desire. "Planning to poison someone?"

"One leech is making the short list."

"My clever sorceress has a tart tongue this eve." Leaning closer, he rasped at her ear, "When last night it was so exquisitely sweet."

Not going to fan myself. Wine! Gulp.

"Come back to my tent."

"Why would I do that?"

"For a time, you enjoyed yourself there."

Enjoyed? Understatement. For a time, she'd been crazed with lust. Just remembering his hard, damp chest against her br**sts made her ni**les tighten under her bandeau top.

Apparently he noticed, because he had to clear his throat before saying, "And it's still your turn, Bett."

Turn? What did he- Oh! She flushed, wishing she'd worn a full face covering instead of a narrow bandit-style mask. Her pink cheeks were on display for all to see. "You like embarrassing me."

"I'm a vampire-naturally I'm going to love it when blood heats your cheeks." Before she could pull back, he'd grazed the backs of his fingers below her mask. "It's beautiful. You are beautiful."

He can't lie. Wait, speaking of mask . . . "I left things in your tent. I need them back."

"Impossible."

"Your squire could find them!"

"They remain secure in my possession."

What could he possibly want with them-

"Did you dream of me when you slept?" he asked.

She raised a startled glance to him. "What? N-no!"

His lips curled. "Liar."

"And what about you?" she demanded. "Did you dream my memories?"

"I didn't sleep. I haven't since I met you."

"That's not good for your tournament."

"You saw me fight. Did you see any ill effects?"

"You're arrogant."

"I'm Dacian. You can't have one without the other."

She wondered what he'd done today instead of sleeping. Had he found another to relieve him of that erection? Judging by Caspion's past example, she assumed males had sex every night without fail. "And how did you occupy yourself during the daylight hours?" Had her tone been arch? She raised her glass.

"I spent the day with my Bride."

She nearly choked on her wine. "You wouldn't dare come to my room while I slept!"

He merely raised his brows.

"Does my barrier spell do nothing?" Great, to live without protection, high in the sky where the Vrekeners ruled!

"It's imperfect. But for others it would be sufficient."

"And what exactly did you do with me today?" She could only imagine. Had he seen how her dreams had affected her?

"I lay beside you and shared your suffering. You're desirous, dragă," he rasped, his accented words making her melt. "Come with me, and I'll pleasure you till you scream."

When her mind started to blank again, she gave her head a sharp shake. "Caspion is about to fight in the next heat. I'd never abandon him with no support."

A bitter laugh. "Won't his throng of female admirers support him?"

"He's escorting me home afterward. We have a date."

"A date?" Daciano bit out. "You have no bond with him. Though I can scarcely comprehend it, he doesn't want you in the way I do."

Again, was it so obvious? "Why would you say that?" Could everyone see it?

"He was in a brothel two nights ago. In Dacia, he had a new maid every night."

"Caspion and I are starting anew. We discussed it today. He considers us betrothed from now on. Therefore I will be waiting here for him."

"And I will be damned before he enjoys a passion I stoked."

"I'm not leaving this table, vampire." No matter how seductive you are. "If you try to trace me back to your tent, I'll introduce you to the weapons I didn't show you." A dagger strapped to her ankle, for one.

"Then you leave me no choice."

"What does that mean-" She jerked upright when she felt the vampire's callused palm at her knee. She tried to pry it away, but he was far too strong. She had to settle for clamping her legs together.

"It seems I'll have to pleasure you here."

"Stop this!" she hissed when he began making lazy circles high on her thigh.

"You have the softest skin, sorceress. Are all the females of your kind so soft as this?"

"Go find out. Your . . . Bride gives you a pass. Just leave me alone."

She didn't want his touch; apparently her body disagreed. Her ni**les hardened even more, her breaths shallowing. She squirmed in her seat, dismayed to find her panties were growing moist. Her clamped legs seemed to weaken, the muscles lax.

How could he affect her so quickly? Yes, she'd had dreams of him, and yes, he'd taken her to the very verge two nights in a row-but they were surrounded by people! "I-I draw the line, vampire." The indignant tone she'd attempted fell flat.

He gave her that indulgent look. "You'll learn that there is no line between a vampire and his Bride." As his hand trailed higher, he murmured, "I can feel you tremble. It won't take much to bring you over the edge. I'll ease this ache and have you relaxed and sated in my arms."