Jalouser (verb) to be jealous

When our coach arrived at the castle, he was waiting for me.

I hadn't expected him to be. Not after the way he'd left. But there he was. Standing in the light of the midday sun.

I exited the coach, eyes fixed on him. Pieces of my unbound hair flew around my face in a gust of snowy air, but I didn't move to fix it. With measured steps, I made my way to where he stood.

Others joined me. Tyson, Okeri, and Natalia. But I took little notice of them.

Much like the first night we met, the sight of Bastien had my heart in a frantic race. But unlike that night, I knew much more about this vampire than rumors or gossip.

And I planned to bring him to his knees now that I was finally at his castle by discovering the location of the remaining demonic relics, and handing the information over to my family so they could systematically destroy them.

But first, I had business to attend to.

Standing on the steps that led up to the grand entrance of Chateau Rose, Bastien wore a black knee-length frock coat detailed with gold embroidery at the lapel and on the cuffs, a black shirt, and a black necktie. One hand gripped the head of his cane, the other tucked behind his back.

My dress matched his. Layers of black lace and black chiffon with gold applique on the bodice.

He looked like an inkblot against the majesty of his castle, which was hewn from soft pink stones. The tops of each turret frosted with snow.

I was drawn to him, despite how angry I was, in a way I couldn't quite understand. We'd been apart for the better half of a day, and seeing him again felt like coming home.

But I knew better than to be tricked. It was just the allure of him. A deadly predator who sought to set their prey at ease with their beauty.

He wanted to drink from me, nothing more.

I lifted the hem of my dress as I took the steps one at a time, careful not to trip up the long set of stairs, until I finally stood in front of him. This close, the color of his eyes was as brilliant as the frozen streams crisscrossing the land outside his castle.

I met his icy gaze with an equally chilly one.

Dipping my chin, I curtsied, as was expected of me.

Bastien bowed at the neck, then, strangely, extended his hand to me.

I looked up at him through my lashes, not sure what to make of this gesture.

"Welcome to Chateau Rose," he said in his deep, melodic voice. "I believe a tour is in order."

I hesitated, not knowing what to do. Part of me wanted to let him lead me on a tour. I wanted to listen to him talk about this place he called home and let him show me the greenhouse he'd sketched for me late one night.

But another part of me, a stronger part, didn't want to take his hand. Last night, he'd told me he didn't want to touch me ever again, yet here he was, extending his hand to me.

It was all so...confusing.

He might make my heart skitter in my chest, but I wasn't the same girl he'd met a fortnight ago, and I certainly wasn't going to let his looks or his manners or his presence rule my actions from now on.

I'd told myself I wasn't going to touch him, not if I could help it, and I'd meant it.

Thankfully, Natalia appeared at my side. Her cheeks were pink, and her clothing damp from the long ride through the elements. "Tours can wait. You'd said we'd be choosing her harem upon arrival."

Bastien cut a look between us as he withdrew his hand behind his back. "I have already made the arrangements to have the applicants brought up to her room after supper," he told Natalia, while holding my gaze. "If you'd like to join us, be my guest. But until then, Claire and I will be on a tour of the castle and the grounds."

I'd told myself I wasn't going to be petty, but I also wasn't going to let him dictate every move I made. Not anymore.

"I think I'd rather meet them now," I said, lifting my chin, "if it's all the same to you. I can take a tour of the castle any time. This will be my home for the next year."

I smiled as sweetly as I could and, in doing so, was able to watch Bastien's pretense crack. This wasn't what he was expecting from me.

Tyson joined me on the same step, standing shoulder to shoulder, and said, with a bow, "Okeri and I would like to take the tour."

I nodded at him, encouraging this suggestion with a smile.

Natalia wasn't as subtle, she breathed a loud sigh of relief. "Well, that's settled then! You two can take the tour," she said, gesturing to Okeri and her cousin, "and we'll head up to Claire's room."

Natalia linked her arm with mine, and we started up the next step, when Bastien held out a hand, stilling our progress. I didn't think he looked mad, but he certainly didn't look happy.

"I think it's more appropriate if I accompany Claire," he said. The low tenor of his voice went right through me, making the fine hairs on my forearms stand on end.

It was a warning, and by the way Natalia stilled, she'd taken it as such.

I wasn't sure why he was taking such an interest in my harem, especially considering his behavior yesterday.

But I wasn't trying to start an argument. No. Mama wouldn't want that. She'd want me to be deferential to please him.

After all, upsetting the vampire did nothing to help my goal.

"If you'd like to observe my choosing," I said, adding another curtsey for good measure, "then by all means, my lord, you're more than welcome."

I watched Bastien's jaw clench again, and for whatever reason, his displeasure caused me inordinate amounts of happiness.

I wanted him to be just as frustrated as I'd been last night when he'd gotten on his horse and left me alone.

"I think I will." He cleared his throat. "Accompany you, that is." Then he turned to his nephew. "Tyson, your steward, Mr. Tremblay, will take you on a tour. I'll see you for the council meeting at eight."

Tyson stuttered out his thanks, but Bastien ignored him. He only had eyes for me.

His attention was something I'd never get accustomed to.

I tried to maintain my dignity under the intensity of those eyes by remembering how fickle he was. And how hurt I'd been.

He turned on his heel and strolled through the large open doors and into the grand entrance. His cane striking the marble floors with each step. I gave Tyson a kind smile that he returned before following my vampire companion.

Natalia disappeared without a sound, and I wondered where she was disappearing off to.

But there was too much to take in to worry about her for long. Pausing, I let my gaze drift up to the large crystal chandelier hanging from the top of the vaulted ceiling. This place had a much darker vibe than Chateau Corbin, and it felt uniquely like Bastien.

Impressive, but not opulent.

Torches hung at every turn, providing light and warmth to the otherwise dark hallways. Staff bustled about, bowing and curtsying to us as we passed. I noticed most of the people here didn't seem to fear him but greeted him with respect.

We climbed a long set of stairs clad in black carpets that led to a quieter section of the castle with fewer staff. Portraits hung on the walls, and fresh-cut flowers sat in vases on each table.

"This is the Royal Wing," Bastien explained as we continued to traverse the long hallway. "And up ahead is your room."

He stopped in front of the second to last door on the left, and withdrew a key, unlocking it. He held it open for me, and with interest, I stepped inside.

The room was bigger than the house I'd grown up in, and twice as tall.

I covered my mouth with a hand as I took in the floor-to-ceiling window panes that stretched the entity of the back wall, which showcased the snow-capped mountains all around us.

The view was as spectacular as the rest of the room, which was furnished with a four-poster bed, a seating area, a large claw-foot bathtub, and a wall of bookshelves packed with books.

Lush green plants were tucked into every nook, and pots of lilac moonflowers were placed on every flat surface. Their sweet aroma filling the air, giving off notes of jasmine and vanilla.

It was a place I could spend days inside and not grow tired of it.

Bastien strolled ahead of me, unspeaking as I toured the room.

After a few more steps, he stopped walking, and I nearly ran right into him, I was so absorbed in the view of the mountains.

He grabbed my wrists when I raised my hands to stop myself from bumping into him and pushed me against the glass wall. The chill from the outside seeped through my dress.

My breath was short and tight at his nearness, and a fire stirred low in my belly. A heat only he could coax from me. We were alone in this room, and I had the feeling no one could hear us, unlike at the camp.

His delicious woodsy scent replaced that of the moonflowers as he leaned in.

"Why are you rushing into this?" he asked, his breath fanning across my face. "Is this because of what happened last night? Are you trying to punish me?"

I studied his features to see if he was joking or not and decided he wasn't. The set of his jaw was severe, and his eyes were fixed on mine. Studying me in the same way.

By Diana, I realized it was the first time one of my plans had worked, and I was encouraged by my success. Something about my nonchalance and my sweetness had gotten under his skin.

I fixed an innocent look on my face before replying. "No, of course not," I said, averting my gaze from his. "You're the one who told me to use my harem. I'm simply following your orders, my lord."

His grip on my wrists tightened, and he slid my hands up the cold glass.

My breath hitched.

I had to be demure. Docile. Agreeable. That's what he wanted. And that's how I would learn what I needed to know about the relics. But I wasn't going to be like a reed in the wind, bending to his whim anymore.

This was about defeating the dark witches who'd murdered my grandmother and who this vampire loved so well.

And maybe a little bit about my pride.

I was glad to hear he thought this a punishment.

My back flattened against the wall when he inched closer. His head angled down to mine.

If he wanted to stay away from me, why was he always getting so close?

As if he'd heard the thought, Bastien slowly let go of my wrists, and my hands drifted back down to my sides. I was flustered and frustrated and wished he'd give me some space, but he didn't back up.

One of his hands came to rest on the wall beside my face, the other gripping his cane, which he set flush against my hip. Caging me in.

"Before you meet these applicants, you should know there are a few rules."

I wetted my lips, returning my gaze to his. Pieces of his blond hair framed his face, making him look like the most beautiful angel, even though I knew he was really a demon in disguise.

"First, and most importantly, no one can touch you if you've been drinking."

"Why is that?" I replied as sweetly as I could, but Bastien didn't answer.

"This rule is not up for negotiation. Do you consent?"

I considered pushing for a better explanation but decided there wasn't a point. I didn't drink very often anyway, so he could have his way with this.

"Fine. Are there any other rules I should know about before we get started?"

He nodded. "If I desire your presence, my request trumps any fun you may be having, and you must attend me. Is that understood?

I raised a brow. This rule seemed like a loophole for him to take advantage of. In my sweetest voice, I asked, "How often do you plan on exercising this right?"

"As often as I please."

I could tell by the way he was clenching his jaw that he hated this arrangement. He wanted me all to himself. To toy with as he saw fit. But the laws dictated that he provided for me, and he couldn't deny me, but he was making things difficult.

Well, I wanted some clarification on his vague, demanding rule.

"Are there any exceptions?" I asked innocently enough. "Let's say I'm with one of my men, and he's...pleasuring me," I forced myself to say, cheeks reddening with heat. A low growl emanated from Bastien's chest.  "If you knock at the door, am I allowed to finish?"

"Claire," Bastien gritted out like the question was causing him physical pain.

Something inside me purred with satisfaction.

"I'm only asking to clarify."

He rolled his lips together, leaving them wet. "I will wait outside your door for three minutes. After that, if you don't answer, I'm coming in."

Three minutes. That's all he'd give me? To finish and make myself ready for him? It hardly seemed like enough time, but I was enjoying toying with him. Or punishing him, as he suggested.

"If they are as skilled as Natalia says," I replied offhandedly, "three minutes should be more than enough time."

Another growl came, and I wondered what he planned to do. If he'd smash one of his glass windows or throw his cane across the room like he'd done at the inn.

But he did neither. He simply asked, "Do you have any other concerns?"

I had many concerns, but I kept them behind my teeth. For now. I shook my head. "Not at the moment."

Slowly, his hand dropped from beside my face, and he backed up a pace, allowing me space to finally take a full breath in.

"Should I send them in?"

I still couldn't believe this was part of my job. That I was going to have seven people dedicated to my pleasure. Even more wild was that Bastien was going to sit in the room and watch me select each one.

Sweat collected in every crease as the heat in my cheeks and my belly spread through my whole body as I nodded, and stood frozen in place as Bastien made his way to the door.

Idk about you but I think Jealousy looks good on him 🫠🫠🫠

Question: What's your favorite possessive thing that a love interest does?

Mine is when they admit how jealous they are. 🫠🫠🫠