“I can’t… I can’t drink blood.”
“I can put you under compulsion if you are willing for me to do so. It will aid you. It is our only chance, Alexandria.”
The way he said her name sent butterflies winging through her stomach. But was it possible that drinking more blood was the only way to make her well?
“If it is impossible for you to drink of your own free will, you must consent to my aiding you,” he said.
“I’m not sure I can do it.” The very thought repulsed her. Her stomach was churning, already rebelling at the idea. “There must be another way to make me well. I don’t think I can do it,” she repeated.
“His blood is tainted, Alexandria. Even though he is dead, he can cause you much pain and suffering. We have to dilute it before you go through the transformation.”
There was that word again—transformation. She shivered.
He reached behind him for an immaculately white silk shirt, clearly one of his own, and, his eyes holding hers, he gently put it on her, handling her as if she were a fragile porcelain doll. They both pretended the act was impersonal, but there was something in his touch, some quality in his gaze that could only be described as possessive.
Exhausted, Alexandria tried to think. The vampire had been grotesque, and the thought of any part of him living in her bloodstream was terrifying. “All right. Do it.” Her blue eyes met his golden gaze. “Put me under compulsion to get rid of the vampire in me. But nothing else. Don’t take away or put anything else into my head. Nothing else. You have to give me your word on that.” For whatever that would be worth.
He nodded. She was far too weak to sit up, so Aidan cradled her on his lap. She began to tremble, her heart pounding so hard, he was afraid it would shatter before he could heal her. Deliberately he reached behind her to braid her long hair, to soothe and distract her. Then he silently began a low chant in her mind, murmuring in the ancient tongue, bringing a measure of relief to her. She visibly relaxed.
“I want to command you to sleep through your conversion. It is quite brutal, piccola. I will wake you when it is over.” His velvet voice made the suggestion, and she felt the notes wrapping around her like safe, warm arms, compelling her to do as he wished.
Instantly she pulled back, her mind slamming shut, turning away from him. She simply was not willing to be that vulnerable, to give up all control, even consciousness, to a stranger. Especially one capable of the things this man could do. What was he, after all? Possibly another vampire, despite the distinction he drew about being “Carpathian, not yet vampire,” whatever that meant.
“I will assist you in diluting the vampire’s tainted blood, Alexandria, nothing more, if that is your wish.” He chose his words carefully. He had been in her mind several times already, and the bond was strengthening with each mental sharing. She was unaware of it as of yet, and for now it was better to keep it that way. He knew she was confused and mistakenly hoping that the conversion about to take place would restore her to human life. For now he would have to mildly deceive her in that regard to spare her the agony of the inevitable transformation, already begun, to Carpathian life.
Alexandria sighed. The feel of his hands in her hair, the soft whisper of his husky voice, the total confidence he exuded was mesmerizing. “Let’s get it over with before I lose my nerve.”
As soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, he shifted her slight weight, cradling her on his lap, and bent his blond head slowly to her throat. The touch of his mouth was like hot silk on her skin. She felt that wildly erotic touch right down to her toes.
Alexandria stiffened, suddenly afraid of losing far more than her life. His lips were on her throat, right over her pulse. You have to trust me, piccola. Let yourself feel me in you. I am part of you. Reach for me now, as I reach for you. The words seemed to be in her mind rather than spoken aloud. He was strength and heat, fire and ice. He was power and protection from the insanity engulfing her.