He gestured. "But you fight everything. Ever since you were small, you wouldn't let me any closer than the kid you hid in closets with and beat at chess."

"That was pretty damn close!"

He tilted his head to look down at me chidingly. His dark eyes seeming silvery in the strange darkness. "Was it really? Would it have been for someone other than you?"

"Like you?" I demanded. Cutting to the quick of what he was saying because he'd stopped moving inside me and my frustration was mounting. And I was now wondering if I should be wrapping my legs around him. And I couldn't stop thinking about snaking my arms around his muscled shoulders and clinging to him while he rode into me.

"Yes." He straightened. Becoming darker, more of a silhouette as he drew from me. Though still implanted in my center he seemed cast in blackness now.

Like made of it.

"It would be nice," He continued. "if you considered how it was for me."

"How was it then, Din?" I leaned up to glare at him. Eyes narrowed.

He slid out of me and took a step back.

Retreating.

"Worse than you can imagine." He said coldly.

"Oh, indeed?" I quirked a brown brow.

"Some things are better left untouched."

"Yes, like I was."

He stiffened as if I'd punched him. "Clearly you're not ready to accept what I thought you might be."

"You want to talk about closeness, Bodin." I sneered. "How about you tell me why there are creatures that don't exist wandering this mansion."

I could see the outline of his jaw ticking with displeasure. "And why they refer to you as their, Master."

"When you're ready to accept all that I am, Belle. I'll tell you it all. The sordid history that led to me being what I am." His voice sounded dangerous and ominous. Echoing in the room as if it were hollow.

"What are you?" I sat all the way up. Tossing down my nightdress.

He started to turn away but then spun his head to look at me sideways. "I'm about to take you in my bed, bury into you until you stop with the questions and the complaints and moan into my ear how you want me. Tonight, is not the night to test me, Belle. I suggest you get back to your chamber." He gestured toward the door. "Immediately."

I paused to give him an assessing look.

"Before I change my mind..."

I leapt to my bare feet and bolted from the room.

***

The next day brought something I never thought I'd be so happy to see.

Ginny.

I heard the knock on the door and was racing to the stairs out of curiosity. Someone has come to take me home?

But when the door was opened, and I saw Ginny's familiar features I rushed to meet her in the foyer. "You came!"

"My Lord Charters had not yet sent for me and I was beginning to fear the worst. I thought I might come to ensure no impropriety has been executed on you." Her tone was nearly haughty as though I were one that needed constantly chaperoned.

I paused to eye her. Why is she acting so strangely?

"Well, I'm glad that you are here."

"Why indeed, would you be glad?" She began following me up the stairs with her bag in hand.

Because I'm happy to have a maid?

And someone to talk to... A little voice admitted.

Though I was disinclined to tell this girl that.

"Are the servants at Demetrius House eager for my return?" I asked hopefully.

"Not in the least." She set her bags down just inside the door of my chamber to look around. She dragged a gloved finger over my dressing table. "I will promptly ensure it is cleaned in here for you, My Lady."

I was frowning at her. "The servants do not expect my return?"

"I believe they are hopeful for it." She crossed the room to check more surfaces. "But no longer expect it since Lord Demetrius has taken residence."

"Lord Demetrius?" I cried in shock.

"Your cousin, Randall, to my understanding." She murmured. Returning to her bag.

"Randy is already there?"

"Yes, Mum." She bobbed her head. "I'll take my bags to the servant's quarters and see what else the missus may needs."

***

I watched her walk back down the hallway with my brow furrowed.

Why does she seem so callous?

And how did Randy get to Demetrius House so fast.

Last, I'd known he was overseas. That would almost imply he happened to already be on his way back.

Or someone sent for him before father was dead?

That made me suspicious. How could anyone have known he'd pass? Unless they poisoned him.

I immediately saw Bodin's face in my mind's eye. And thought of how quickly he'd orchestrated me as his ward.

Did he poison my father? The thought hit me like a punch to my stomach. Nearly dropping me to my knees.

I wanted to think that he'd never do that. But I wasn't at all sure that I knew who Bodin was anymore.

***

It dawned on me that I needed to have someone looking into things behind the smokescreen. I certainly couldn't do it without arousing Bodin's suspicion.

I was standing at the window when Ginny returned.

"Ginny?"

"Yes, Mum?"

"I need you to do something very important for me."

"Yes?" Her tone sounded wary.

"I want you to send word to the doctor's that tended my father and see if they have any suspicions it could've been poison.

"Why?" She asked quickly.

I didn't turn, not wanting to alarm her more. "Because I think it may've been."

"Who would do such a thing?" She cried in a shaking voice.

Clearly upset at the prospect. As I am.

I rounded to face her. My hands clutched before me demurely as I struggled to control their shaking. "I think Bodin may have."