The glass of bourbon in my hand is nothing more than a distraction. The spicy liquor won't drown my concerns and give me the warm and fuzzy feeling of being careless. It will barely hinder my senses. No, the only thing that will give me the escape I crave is nestled in my guest room fast asleep.

It took Cordelia several moments to settle in. I listened as she placed a chair in front of her door and paced the room. The rustling of fabric told me that she spent some time debating removing her ballgown, but eventually did. Her heartbeat finally set to a slow, steady rhythm that matched her breathing. I wonder if her body gave up from exhaustion or if she finally came to her senses and realized I wouldn't harm her.

I sip my whiskey and lean back into the couch, ripping my gaze from the direction of her room. The flames in the stone fireplace erratically dance around, warming the space as never-ending flurries drift from the sky. The walls made of windows were meant to make me feel free, to remind me that an entire realm was mine for the taking. But since bringing Cordelia here against her will, it feels like a prison. Granted, it's a designer prison with a staff included. But still a prison.

"Is there anything else you need from us before we go?" Ruth asks from the entry to the kitchen.

I pivot to face her noticing she's dropped her glamour. White fur covers her tall frame and long lashes surround her other-worldly blue eyes. It's the long teeth jetting from their lower jaw that makes some Yetis terrifying, but Ruth always reminded me of a stuffed animal found on a child's bed.

"Erik will bring the clothes I ordered for Ms. Cordelia with him in the morning. And I will return in the afternoon to make her second meal."

I nod, grateful that she is willing to go above and beyond for my guest. I've had no need to cook proper meals in some time. Cordelia is already repulsed by me and I'm sure that offering her a warm glass of sheep's blood in the morning isn't going to win me any points with her.

"Please don't forget to place that order in the human realm for me. It is important. And take the rest of the cinnamon rolls for your little monsters."

"Thank you, Mr. Dagon. You have a good evening."

I grit my teeth fighting to urge to correct her. It doesn't matter how many times I tell her to address me by my first name, she always slips back to formalities.

"You too, Ruth," is all I say in return.

I've never minded being alone. Well, that isn't necessarily true. When Elias and I were younger, we were always together. I never wanted to be apart from my older brother for a second. He'd been born four minutes before me; therefore, existing in the world without him was a thing I'd never had to experience.

But when Elias betrayed me, I'd become accustomed to it. It became my reality, my every day. Then I found this village and the Yeti, and I settled here because it was a balance—I could be alone when I wanted and socialize when I felt the need.

But when Cordelia Ashling stepped foot on that island and Elias laid eyes on her, I felt it too. I felt that bond snap into place. And I knew where I had to go. Did I want to get my brother back for what he'd done to me? I mean, yeah, who wouldn't?

There was more to it than that, though.

Too bad it will never matter. Not when she loathes the very air I breathe.

*****

It's much later when I sense it, even in my sleep...footsteps padding down the hall toward my room. I get out from beneath the cover and make my way to the door, opening it before she has a chance to knock.

Leaning against the doorframe in nothing but my boxers, I cross my arms over my chest and grin. "That didn't take long."

Her nostrils flare and she very deliberately keeps her eyes on my face. I can't seem to have the same level of self-control.

Not while she's wearing my clothes. I chew the inside of my cheek and attempt to focus on her words.

She scoffs. "Please. Listen, I—I hate to even come down here, but I realized you never—you never gave me my inhaler, and I always need to have one just in case something happens." Her voice is small, and she sounds like it pains her to even speak to me.

Almost like she's actually afraid of me.

I tilt my head to the side, motioning her to follow me into my room. The hesitation in her steps has my jaw clenching and frustration boiling inside me. I get it. I'm the bad brother, the one who lacks a moral compass who wouldn't think twice about pulling some questionable shit to get what I want. But fuck, I have some scruples.

"I don't bite unless you ask, Cordelia," I say, walking to my nightstand.

She snorts out a laugh. "Yeah, okay, like I'm going to believe that. When you won't admit to me how many times I had my hands or mouth on you when I thought you were Elias. Start there, and maybe I'll believe you'll keep your fangs to yourself."

I spin around with her inhaler in my hand. The irritation she has already incited in me reaches its breaking point. I plant my feet in place and toss her inhaler onto the mattress in front of where she stands. Every muscle in my body trembles with rage.

"I never once laid a hand on you. In fact, the only time I touched you, you initiated it, and I put an end to it. Despite what my brother may have led you to believe about vampires, we can control our needs."

Her face blanches and she inhales a sharp breath, making her chest expand and contract harshly. She doesn't move to grab the inhaler; it's like she's frozen to the place where she stands. "Fuck. You're talking about the window seat. After that first run-in I had with Jolene. That was you who stood up for me."

"Yeah," I say, not meeting her eyes. "That was me. Of course I knew what she was doing, and I wasn't going to let her hurt you. It was you who got handsy with me, Delia. Not the other way around. I tried to resist you, if you'll remember. Clenched fists and everything." I remember every fucking detail of that encounter. The way she'd brushed her body against mine, slid her legs around my waist, pressed her lips to mine...how hard she'd made me. And then, I'd accidentally nicked her bottom lip with my fangs. I got the most infinitesimal taste of my soul-bonded mate's blood, and I knew right then...I had to have her.

But even then, even when she begged me to feed from her right there and then, in front of whoever might walk down that public corridor, I resisted. And she has the nerve to accuse me of untoward behavior? Fuck that.

"Cane, I—"

"Did you know I tasted your blood that day? That I accidentally nicked your lip?" I interrupt, unable to hold it back.

"Yes," she whispers, surprising me. "That's why I begged you to feed from me. I wanted more. I—I feel so stupid. How could I not even know it wasn't Elias?" Tears fill her eyes and I instantly feel guilty for goading her.

"We're identical twins, Delia, it—"

She shakes her head and snatches up her inhaler before turning to go. But before she does, she says over her shoulder, "And by the way, Elias didn't teach me that vampires can't control their urges. I happen to know that they can. He told me to stay away from you."

I growl like a feral animal and stalk after her. "Maybe he told you to stay away because I'm more charming. Or he was scared I'd be a better fuck. Or maybe just maybe he didn't want you to know that the bond was just as strong between me and you. Did it not once occur to you that he viewed me as a threat, that maybe what he shared with you would be stronger with me? Perhaps good ole Elias wasn't as sure in what you had as he should have been."

She swallows and I don't miss the tremble in her lower lip before she pulls it between her teeth. "I suppose all of that could be true," she murmurs, not meeting my eyes. "It probably is. But I wouldn't have been able to think most of those things because until last night, I had no idea that any of those things were even a possibility, Cane. I didn't know Elias and I were soul-bonded. I didn't even know what a soul bond was! I certainly didn't know that you were bonded to me too. The only thing I ever knew was that you were dangerous. That you were likely trying to get to me to hurt him because of some disagreement y'all had in the past. That's it. So I'm sorry if I'm a little confused right now!" she blurts.

The words I spewed in anger quickly turn into regret. Her truth is like a kick to the gut. "Cordelia—"

"Don't. Unless your next words are that you are taking me home, then I don't want to hear them."

I clamp my mouth shut and she gives a quick nod.

"That's what I thought." She hurries from my room, slamming the door behind her.