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“Lady Aerin? A pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I would like to thank you for the feeding, even if I’m still somewhat parched,” he said, trying to remain composed.

“No lady, just Aerin. Sorry if the service isn’t up to your standard; I’m not in the habit of hosting ungrateful vampires who attack and tie up their saviors,” Aerin snarled.

“You say you saved me from the seabed?” Gideon frowned. “Did my ship get caught in a storm? Where’s Captain Wardine? First Mate Marissa? My crew, my ship?” His patience was wearing thin, and he didn’t want to waste time if his friends were in danger.

“I found you on the seabed. If it weren’t for the last storm, I probably wouldn’t have even found you.”

“I didn’t make port here?” he asked.

“A storm kicked up the sands, and I found you by chance.” She shook her head. “I don’t know anything about your ship, your crew or what happened to them.”

Her heartbeat remained steady; his saviour was telling the truth. Gideon got up and strolled around the kitchen, trying to put the pieces of his final moments together. If there had been a storm, surely he would’ve been awoken and gone to help his crew.

Aerin ripped free from her bindings and lunged at him. His hand reached up and gripped her throat, but she wrestled him to the ground and pinned his hands to the tiles.

“Since I’ve told you who I am, I think it’s only fair you tell me who the hell I dragged up from the abyss and made the terrible mistake of bringing back to life.” She bared her fangs inches from his face, and the ferocity of her expression only made her all the more tantalising.

“Gideon, that’s all I know,” he rasped, her long, blackened nails digging into his throat. He tried to recall his family name, but nothing came. Surely I must have a family name. He had never been treated in such a way; dare he say, he was almost enjoying it. “It seems my knot-tying needs some work.”

“St. Draqial. I saw it engraved on the signet ring you’re wearing beneath the dragon sigil. I took it off when I gave you a coffin bath; you smelled terrible, and I had to change your clothes, understandable considering how long you were down there. A name doesn’t tell me who you are or what you’re capable of!”

“You were the one who removed my clothes?” He balked; he might not know himself, but he knew a man and a woman shouldn’t be alone unchaperoned, let alone have her undress him.

“Don’t be bashful. You’d been wearing them for Poseidon knows how long, and you smelled like mothballs. I bought some extras, so after a shower, you can change, but you’ll be doing your own washing.”

He didn’t know how he felt about being seen naked by a stranger. A beautiful stranger. Still, he had his dignity.

“Why should I tell you anything?” he grumbled.

“I could rupture the artery in your neck with the mere flick of a nail, drain off that fresh blood I kindly gave you.” She rolled her eyes, and her hold on his wrist didn’t ease. “Where did you come from?”

“I don’t mean to make light of our situation, and I mean you no harm. I was airing on the side of caution, given that the last thing I remember is being safe aboard my ship, only to wake up half-starved in your home,” Gideon said, relaxing in her grasp.

“Says the vampire who knocked me out and tied me up.” She laughed, her eyes brightening. “I’ll ask again: where did you come from? Where were you and your crew headed?”

“I’m afraid I can’t recall, only that I was headed home. We were searching for undiscovered lands, new trade routes, but starvation plays tricks on the mind. Clearly, something happened to my ship, and my crew and I ended up here. In your care,” Gideon said, with her body pressed against his; he could tell they were both cold-blooded creatures.

She scoffed, as if she didn’t believe him.

“Aerin?” A soft call of her name echoed down the hall, interrupting them, and they both stared at the kitchen door. Was it one of her family members? Being found in such a compromising position would disgrace the lady’s reputation, but she didn’t move off him.

“What is she doing here?” Aerin grumbled to herself. Taking advantage of her distraction, he rolled her beneath him and trapped her to the floor. She snarled at him and clawed at his shirt, slashing it open, but luckily, she didn’t draw blood.

“Sorry for interrupting.”

Gideon’s eyes snapped to the young girl, giggling as she covered her eyes with her hands.

“I’ll wait for you outside; it’s urgent.”

Aerin stared at him, and he noticed the fear in her eyes. Did she think I was going to attack her? He didn’t get to ask before Aerin kneed him in the groin, and he gasped in pain and fell to the side, freeing her unwillingly.

Roughly, Aerin grabbed his jaw and forced him to look at her. Her voice shifted into that sweet, lulling hum, drawing him forward into her touch.

“Gideon, you’re going to release me, stand up and sit on the chair you so kindly tied me to,” she sang calmly. He blinked slowly, taking in her instructions. He didn’t want to, but he found himself ignoring the ache in his groin, rising and sitting in the kitchen chair. “Stay seated here until I return. You have no desire to leave this kitchen or this seat.”

Gideon’s mind drank up her words; his limbs felt heavy, like he was part of the chair. He nodded slowly. “I don’t want to leave.” He meant it, regardless of her instructions. He had to find out what happened, and she was the only clue he had so far.

“Good.” Aerin let out a sigh.