Free Ensnared by the Dream Lord (Dark Lords) by Jaide Fox Page B

mindless beast actually notice, he wondered?  He frowned, thinking back, and finally shook his head.
     
    She had enjoyed it.  He was certain of that.  He might remember very little of the time when he had been mortal, but he knew the difference between screams of ecstasy and screams of pain or fear.
     
    The one thing that still baffled him was why that had changed. 
     
    He shook it off.  He could not understand.  Mayhap he never would, but it was not of any importance if he could have what he had lost.
     
    He would woo her, he decided. 
     

 
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    Adriana woke with a wistful sigh.  Sadness filled her when she looked up at the drapery and realized that she was still in Morpheus’ castle.  She’d dreamed.  She could not recall the dream beyond the fact that she had been happy—and she had been with Morpheus.  But she did not need to recall it.  The dream would only make her sadder, because there could be no happiness for her with Morpheus.
     
    When she threw off the covers and sat up at last, Adriana discovered a pleasant surprise.  Near the hearth sat a tub filled with steaming water.  Rose petals floated on the surface.  The scent of roses drifted lazily in the air.
     
    Delighted with the treat, Adriana climbed from the bed and crossed the room to the tub, testing the temperature with one finger.
     
    Perfect.  She smiled.  Twisting her hair into a knot on the top of her head, she climbed into the tub and leaned back, enjoying the feel of the rose scented water on her skin.  She soaked until the hot water had soothed her almost to the point of drowsing and finally sat up and finished her bath.  When she emerged, she took the thick towel that had been left beside the tub and wrapped herself in it.
     
    On the bed lay a cunningly wrought gown of emerald green.  After staring at it in surprise for several moments, she moved toward it, fingering the fine silk with pleasure. 
     
    It was not her gown.  It was far finer than anything she had ever owned.
     
    But it was meant for her.
     
    Smiling at his thoughtfulness, for she knew it could only be Morpheus who had conjured it for her, she donned her underclothes and struggled into the dress.  Morpheus appeared behind her when she had moved to the mirror to examine her reflection.
     
    Without a word, he acted as lady’s maid, tightening her corset and then snugging the lacing of the dress at her back and tying it.  Startled, Adriana watched his reflection as he worked.  “You’ve done this before.”
     
    He glanced up at her, his gaze capturing hers in the mirror.  “I was mortal once—yes.”
     
    A pang shot through Adriana, but she dismissed it.  She had no claim upon him.  She had no right to the jealousy that gnawed at her vitals when she thought of Morpheus with another woman.  “Was she … pretty?” Adriana asked, finding she could not contain her curiosity, but unable to bring herself to ask if he had loved the woman either.
     
    He smiled faintly.  “Since I cannot recall, I would guess that she could not have been half as beautiful as you are.”
     
    Adriana blushed at the compliment, but she was far more pleased that he had dismissed the mystery woman of his past so easily.  He could not have loved her, she thought. 
     
    When he had finished with her dress, he urged her to seat herself upon the bench and carefully combed her hair.  She watched him doubtfully until he had begun, but she relaxed at his careful ministrations, pleasantly surprised to discover such gentleness in such a giant of a man—and suspicious once more of the woman he had spoken of.
     
    “What brings a frown to your brow?” he asked after several moments, his voice husky.
     
    She met his gaze in the mirror once more.  Jealousy.  Envy.  Forcing a smile, she shook her head.  “You seem—different,” she finally said.
     
    His dark brows rose, then descended in a slight frown.  “Is this bad?” he asked finally,