CHAPTER TWELVE | England, 1891

CHAPTER TWELVE

England, 1891

KATE STOOD BESIDE THE carriage as her bags were loaded, the gravel beneath her feet cold and harsh. Her breath was visible in the early night air as she took in the stars in the inky sky beginning to appear.

It had been a long day tossing and turning as she tried to sleep after Vincent had left. Her heart felt like it had been torn out of her chest and stomped on. In the past twenty-four hours, she had lost her parents and the male she thought was her mate. All she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry for about one hundred years.

When Riccardo had returned, Kate had agreed to return to Rome with him as soon as night fell. She wanted the comfort of her own home to grieve in and needed to arrange her parents’ vigil. Plus, it was now clear she was not wanted at Casa Moretti . At least not by the king.

Kate felt embarrassed to have ever believed she was his mate. No mated or bonded male would be able to watch another male embrace his female, especially not one as powerful as Vincent. He was a true alpha. Not once had he reacted as she’d seen other mating males do. If anything, he was just disgusted at her for her willingness to bed him when she had a potential mate at home. Had he let her speak, the stubborn male would have learned Riccardo was nothing but a friend.

The pain of his rejection was nearly as powerful as the pain from the loss of her parents. Together, she simply felt weak with grief and sadness.

Kate had spent all day reflecting on the time they’d spent together. Never had she dreamed of feeling such a connection with the king, or any male. Attending his coronation was something Kate had never expected—nor had any of them—when she’d decided to join her parents at court this season. She’d needed a break from life in Rome and the pressure of mating with Riccardo. They all knew it wasn’t something one could force, so when they had invited Kate to join them in England, she had jumped on the opportunity.

Riccardo would be working at his father’s firm, busy for the summer, so Kate had been excited about the time away to just relax and have fun. Her family and Riccardo’s had been convincing them both for decades that they were made for each other. They were simply waiting for it to happen.

But it never had.

Kate understood her mama wanted grandbabies, but the distance from Riccardo had brought her much needed clarity. He wasn’t, and never would be, her mate. Before her parents had left, she had spoken to her father and shared her thoughts. She was to stay on at court a little longer to decide if she would return home or travel to other parts of Europe, staying with family friends. She’d had her eye on Paris, and even Spain.

In truth, she had been hoping Vincent would be her mate and that they would return to Rome and announce the news.

Instead, her life had simply fallen apart.

Now she could only think ahead from one moment to the next.

When she’d met Vincent just mere months earlier, he’d still been a prince. While Brayden was infamous for his playboy lifestyle, Vincent was more serious. She had liked the way he held his tall frame, so confident, self-assured, and comfortable in his own skin. He had thinking eyes, as if thoughts and ideas were constantly fighting for dominance in his mind.

Kate had watched him exhibit kindness to those around him, despite being heir to the throne. This wasn’t always the case in royal families. He had a strong relationship with his brother, evident by their open teasing of each other and their playfulness. She’d seen the love both boys had for the queen, their mother, and it went without saying they respected their father, the all-powerful king.

She had felt deeply for him after they had passed. It was why she had gone to him that day, to provide comfort and companionship. Without thinking, she’d knocked on his door, and he’d let her in. In more ways than one. Vincent had opened up in a way she doubted he did with many others, and Kate had felt closer to him than ever. Until he’d been clear with her about his priorities.

He wanted to fuck her. But the throne came first, and it always would.

Why, then, did his eyes talk to her and say something different?

Clearly, she was in denial.

Kate had mistaken his lust for something else. There was nothing more to it.

Her lips pursed as she saw Riccardo walk out of the castle doors alongside Brayden and Craig. They all shook hands, and he began to walk toward the carriage.

Kate’s eyes dropped.

She had known Riccardo for a long time, yet, for all his caring and kindness, there was a possessiveness about him she felt uneasy with. He had been more and more domineering over the past few years , even going so far as to make plans with her father, who had been successful in holding back the more dominant vampire, saying only that when they mated, Kate could decide. But it felt increasingly like the decisions were being taken away from her.

Now her father was dead.

Now Kate was leaving England to return home with Riccardo.

“Come, Katherine.” And God, she hated when he called her by her full name. “Let’s get you home where you belong.”

As he placed his hand in the small of her back then took hold of her hips, lifting her into the carriage, Kate felt a cold shiver run through her. She tucked her black gown around her legs and removed her hat.

“Hey,” Riccardo said, touching her cheek. “Everything will be okay. I promise to look after you.”

She shook her head. “I don’t need you to look after me, Riccardo.”

He pressed his lips together. “I think we both know that’s not true.”

She stared at him and pursed her lips.

“Be good, Kate, please.” He huffed.

She watched him climb inside and sit opposite her. Riccardo was a good-looking vampire. Tall, strong, though not in the way the warriors here at the royal household were, with wavy brown hair and green eyes. He turned those eyes on her again, and they flashed with want.

She looked away, not wanting to give him any wrong impressions.

Kate moved the curtain and glanced out at the Moretti castle one last time. Brayden gave her a nod and she returned it with a small smile before letting the heavy fabric drop as the horses began to move.

Her heart clenched painfully. Vincent hadn’t come to say farewell.

She knew she’d been waiting for him, but hadn’t wanted to admit it to herself.

She closed her eyes.

It was over.

His absence had told her everything she needed to know.

KATE PRETENDED TO SLEEP for most of the night while the carriage bounced its way back to Rome. They had crossed the channel between England and France the night before, and now, all she wanted was to be home.

Riccardo had updated her on stories from home, finally picking up his book when it was clear she wasn’t interested in conversation. He’d said he understood she was grieving and would excuse her rudeness.

The longer she spent with him, the more irritated she became.

In truth, her mood was darkening with anger at Vincent. With all this time on her hands, she kept reflecting back on their time together. The little moments, the glances, the touches, the winks.

Yes, Vincent Moretti had actually winked at her. How could she have been so foolish?

He was no charmer like Brayden Moretti—that vampire made no secret of his naughty ways, nor did any of his entourage. They winked at every luscious-looking vampire they came across. Vincent didn’t, but he had winked at her. And she’d fallen for it.

Just because a vampire didn’t play often, it didn’t mean they didn’t play sometimes.

Clearly, she was his sometimes plaything.

He hadn’t lied though. He’d told her straight to her face he wanted to fuck her and keep her as his. Not as his mate.

God, she’d been so stupid.

He wanted her for his own entertainment, and he obviously didn’t like sharing.

At the royal ball, the prince had asked her to dance, and Vincent had swooped in and pushed his brother aside. Her entire world had lit up when he’d placed his arm around her and led her to the dance floor. She’d felt like a princess in her emerald-green dress, the lace-trimmed bodice showing off her ample breasts which had caught the not-yet-king’s eye. When the waltz had begun, Vincent had expertly led her around the dance floor.

When his eyes had met hers, her body had flared to life. The touch of his fingers had been like fire, flooding her sex with a heat and need she knew Vincent could see in her flushed face. He had pulled her body closer, his knee going deeper between her thighs as they danced, oblivious to those around them. Her body had been tingling with arousal by the end of the dance.

When he’d walked her off the dance floor, Kate had been ready for his whisper of invitation. Instead, he’d returned her to her parents’ side and kissed her hand. The only whisper she had received was a thick, gravelly thank you.

His lingering gaze, though only for a moment, had told her more.

It had said I want you, but I won’t .

If only she had listened. Now, her heart was aching as she sped toward Italy while Vincent sat in his castle making plans to move across the world to America. Preparing to meet his mate, crown his queen, and leaving Kate simply as a passing thought.

A tear slid down her face.

She would never see Vincent again.

And he hadn’t cared enough to even say goodbye.