The Vampire And His Lady (Silver Hills #2)

Chapter 26

Much of the next few hours passed in a haze for Diana. And not the good kind of haze where everything goes too fast. Everything was too slow. Each second dragged like nails on a chalkboard.

Henry and Jax didn't have much to say or do. When Raisel came to dress her for the big moment, and the sky was a luscious shade of rose gold, all they did was what her depart with a look of sorrow on their faces. Even Henry didn't have it in him to be optimistic. Not when these were her last few steps towards the chopping block.

The Handmaiden was gentle and swift in removing the gold gown and placing her in a flowing white chiffon gown with a cape that went down her back. It showed off copious amounts of flesh, making the spectacle even more painful for her.

Not even to die with dignity, but dressed up like a doll for the benefit of Rydaryth.

"I'm sorry," Raisel whispered, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear with a mother's touch before departing and leaving Diana alone for the last time.  No makeup or curls adorned her now. She was bare-faced and natural. To die as she was born.

Tears didn't come. Not even ones of anger. She walked over to the window and, with a strange calmness, tried to step over it. The water beneath churned, spelling out a likely death, but it was a less definite end then the one already planned for her. She might survive and swim away. And then what? To live in this new realm forever? To seek sanctuary in the Shadow City and hope that one day she could go back home? It didn't matter anyway- death was almost certain from such a height.

Hands pulled her back before she managed to get both legs over. She huffed in annoyance and turned to see Rydaryth standing over her, overbearing as ever. His violet eyes were greedy as he took her in, devouring her like a last meal.

Diana knew her time was limited to act, if she were going to act at all, and an idea was beginning to blossom in her head.

What is it Oscar Wilde said? She thought, looking at the way the Shadowlord's eyes dilated as they took in the plains of her pale skin on show. I can resist everything but temptation.

She'd never tried to seduce anyone before, man or monster. With Henry their love was all innocence and shy touches. Thornwood had been a desire she had never acted on fully. So she was a neophyte at the one thing she had to do to try and save her life.

It couldn't be hard though. Not when he was already finding it hard to look her in the eye.

She bit her lip, trying to make it as plump as possible. If Victor's father had the same taste in women as he did, her plan might just work.

"It's cruel," she whispered, her voice low and as rich as she could make it. She pushed her chest up slightly to emphasise the curves there, and walked closer to Rydaryth. He hardly breathed, let alone moved.

"What is?" He demanded, his fist clenching and unfurling periodically as if he couldn't decide whether to punch her or caress her.

"To dress me up so nice only to kill me." She tried to make her lower lip wobble slightly, but keep her eyes on him. Diana lowered her voice, trying to sound shocked. "You look... you look so much like him."

A flash of rage burst in the violet. Oh well- any passion was better than none.

Without thinking about how disgusted she felt, Diana threw herself against Rydaryth, pressing her lips against his.

She had hoped for a brief distraction whilst she searched him for a blade or a weapon, but he took her off guard when he not only fully engaged in the kiss, but tried to push her towards the bed.

Crap, she thought as he pushed her skirts up higher and higher. This wasn't the plan.

Maybe it should've been though. He was certainly distracted. She pretended to be breathless and wrapped her fingers in his hair with one hand whilst patting down his body with the other.