Waltz of Seduction (Completed)

Chapter 7. 1815

James growled, tightening his arms around Albert's neck. "So Francis Rochester believes that you are a better match for Karina than I am?"

Albert was choking now. "Yes... I was wanting her, and I still do."

James. "Let me assure you Whitfield, you won't be getting Karina. Because she is mine."

Before Albert had any further comment to add, his neck was ripped into pieces, his head falling away from his body. Seconds later, he became nothing but dust. His clothing burst into flames, smoldering until it was nothing but ash.

James turned his attention to Karina who was lying on the ground. Rushing to her side, he quickly scooped her up into his arms and carried her into an empty bedroom. Gently placing her onto the bed, he noticed the silver bracelet dangling from her left wrist. Picking up her hand as carefully as he could, he snapped his fingers and watched as the bracelet broke into pieces. Quickly removing her glove after disposing of the damaged piece of jewelry, which did include the ruby gemstone, he applied a cold cloth to her hot skin.

Karina whimpered, but wasn't able to open her eyes. She felt so lethargic. Her body felt as if it was being pulled through one. She was aware that someone was holding her hand, was aware that a cold cloth was against her scorching hot skin. Unfortunately, she had no idea who was with her. If she could just open her eyes and see who it was, she could thank the gentleman. But she just couldn't open her eyes.

James didn't move from his position beside her, applying the cold cloth gently against her skin. There was no way he was going to leave her, not until she woke up. Without even thinking, he reached his free hand out to stroke her cheek, his fingers shaking slightly. He was wanting his beloved awake and talking, and he had no idea how long that was going to take. It didn't matter though, because he was going to wait as long as possible.

***

Opening her eyes 30 minutes later, Karina came face-to-face with a pair of beautiful chocolate brown eyes. Her heart nearly leapt into her chest. James was with her, sitting beside her. Looking down, she noticed that the bracelet Albert had given her was no longer on her wrist, and neither was her glove. Instead, she saw that there was a cold cloth against her hand.

James brushed his fingertips across her cheek again. "I'm glad to see you are awake. I was beginning to grow worried."

Karina massaged her temples with her free hand. "Please don't tell me I was out for an hour your grace."

James shook his head. "No, only half an hour."

Karina exhaled with relief. "Thank goodness."

James. "Have you been out longer with previous silver incidents?"

Karina. "Sadly I have been, yes. There was one incident that took place when I was nine years old. I was playing outside in the garden with my siblings and I came across what looked like a silver butterfly resting on a flower in the garden. Little did I realize that it was a silver chain. I tried running away from it, but it wrapped itself around my leg and caused me to fall. I was out for nearly an hour."

James. "I'm so sorry that happened  to you."

Karina. "It's all right, I know how to avoid silver now. But, I must ask, where is Whitfield?"

James hesitated for only a moment before answering her question. "He's no longer going to bother you, I took care of him."

Karina stared at him, her eyes wide. "Your grace, what did you do?"

James stared deep into her eyes. "I destroyed him."

Karina's mouth fell open, but then she quickly snapped it closed. "You destroyed him?"

James nodded. "I wasn't going to let that bastard hurt you any further than he already had. And I'm not going to allow any other gentleman to come between us."

Karina moved slowly into a sitting position with his help, still staring at him. "And why is that your grace?"

James removed the cold cloth from her left hand, taking her face between his own fingers. "Because I don't want any other gentlemen, whether they are human or vampire, to put their hands on you. I don't want anyone else to even look or think about you."

Karina felt her heart flutter. "Why?"

James came closer, his warm breath flowing across her face. "Because you are mine."

Karina smiled, her eyes glowing with desire. "Then let me say this your grace, I don't want any other woman to look at you or think of you, much less put their hands on you."

James smiled back. "And why ever not?"

Karina leaned closer to him. "Because you are mine."

Before either of them had time to react, they came closer, their noses brushing against each other. This was it, the moment that they would have their first kiss. The moment that the first step of their bond would be complete. They moved even closer, their lips just an inch away.

Suddenly, the door to the room burst open, causing James and Karina to immediately pull away. Someone had found them. Turning their heads, they felt both of their hearts sink.

Francis was standing in the doorway, his eyes dark with fury. "What the bloody hell is going on in here?"

Karina swallowed hard, trying to keep her emotions under control around her uncle. She knew that once he found out Albert Whitfield was no longer alive, he was going to be furious.

James glared at Francis with dark eyes. "If you must know, Albert Whitfield nearly killed Karina with a silver bracelet. I brought her here and removed the bloody thing before damage was severely done."

Francis glared right back at him. "And where is Whitfield?"

James was on his feet, standing protectively in front of Karina. "Albert Whitfield has been destroyed."

Francis gaped at him, his mouth falling open and his eyes blazing like dark blue storm clouds. "Destroyed? By who?"

James crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Francis. His voice was deadly as he spoke. "I killed him."