How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying) (Love at Stake) by Kerrelyn Sparks

will win her, cat. You can count on it . Zoltan watched her for a minute, then stepped behind some trees to teleport home.
    N eona returned to the rock wall where the stream from Beyul-La jetted out in a waterfall. The rope ladder was there, but she realized she couldn’t go home, not when she was still dressed in her finest clothes. With a sigh, she started back to Frederic’s cabin, where she’d left her hunting clothes.
    As she walked, she scanned the forest. Where had Zoltan gone to? The village? It was about fifteen miles away, with nothing but a footpath to show the way. Did he have a horse tethered in the next valley?
    She shook her head. There was no point in thinking about him so much. Even if she did enjoy being in his arms. When he kissed her, she forgot all reason. Her heart swelled with such yearning that she could not hold him long enough. With an ache in her heart, she realized it had happened. She was falling for him. She wanted him.
    But how could she ever have him?
    She entered the cabin and let her gaze wander about the room. There was the embroidered banner he’d admired, the books he’d looked over, the gold box of chocolates he’d brought.
    The tea had steeped too long, but she needed a strong drink. She drank as she tidied up the cabin, putting out the fire and hiding the gold box under some blankets in the wooden chest. She rinsed out the teapot and cup in the stream outside, then back in the cabin, she changed into her brown and green linen tunic and pants. She stashed her good clothes in her bag and swung it onto her back along with her quiver of arrows.
    She grabbed her bow and headed back to the rock wall. Zhan joined her on the way.
    She patted his head. “Zoltan had to leave. It’s for the best, I suppose. I should be grateful it didn’t go any further.” She could have loved him and lost him. She could have lost a son. Breaking off the relationship now was the only way to save herself from heartache. Then why did she feel so miserably sad and lonely?
    While Zhan scampered up the rock wall, jumping from one ledge to another, she climbed the rope ladder. At the top of the wall, she pulled the ladder up. And the tears began. With each tug, she was sentencing herself to a long life of loneliness. There was no place for a man in her life. Zoltan might come tomorrow night, but she would not be there. Better to live lonely than risk shattering her heart.
    She dropped the end of the ladder on the ground. It was done.
    “How was the hunting?” a voice asked behind her.
    The queen . Neona quickly wiped her face. “No luck tonight. I’ll try again at dawn.” She took a deep breath and faced her mother. “You’re welcome to join us if you like.”
    “I’ll be busy in the cave tomorrow.” Queen Nima tilted her head, studying Neona. “Did you see anyone in our territory?”
    Her stomach clenched. “No.”
    Nima gazed out into the neighboring valley. “The owl landed on my windowsill and told me there was an intruder.”
    Neona swallowed hard. Had her mother seen her walking about in her finest clothes?
    “We must be extra vigilant,” Nima continued, “especially now that we’re in the beginning of a new cycle.”
    “I understand,” Neona murmured.
    “I fear Lord Liao will continue to search for our valley. He may have sent spies.” Nima turned to look at her daughter. “If any man discovers our valley or our secrets, he must be executed.”
    Neona nodded. “Yes.”
    Her mother arched a brow. “The correct response is ‘yes, your majesty.’ Did you think I wouldn’t notice that you have neglected to use my title for the past two weeks?”
    Neona tamped down on a sudden surge of anger. “I have had other things on my mind.”
    “The death of your sister.” Nima nodded. “I understand that you’re hurting. That is why I have not reprimanded you for the lack of respect.”
    Neona scoffed. “And you are not hurting? Minerva was stabbed to death right in front of