Blood becoming the vampi.., p.16
Blood: Becoming the Vampire Queen, page 16
Bart slams his notebook shut with a huff. “My Lady, I suggest we stick to the agenda if we want to get anything accomplished today!”
“Ooh, he has an agenda!” I murmur to Mortas. He stifles a laugh, his face bright with amusement. Salem and Radella exchange glances while Luther stares from Bart to me and then to Mortas with a bemused expression. Bart looks thunderous but gives no further reaction. I can sense the annoyance swirling beneath the surface, though.
I’m getting to him.
The meeting progresses with Bart explaining the extent of the vampire situation and me providing input on our experience with the blight that had stricken our lands for so long. It’s a topic that’s too close to my heart for me to make light of it, but after some time, the discussion starts to become incredibly dark. Luther provides disturbing details, while Salem and Radella explain how the effects have touched even the unafflicted, leaving them fearing that they may be infected themselves.
The Hunger may have consumed vast tracts of land and even touched our people, but the vampire Curse is literally causing them to consume people. Their affliction is horrific.
By the time I’ve been brought up to speed on the situation, I’m feeling really disturbed. It’s a relief when Mortas turns and addresses me directly.
“So you had a plan to turn back The Hunger, I believe, Lady Aurora?” he says.
“Please…just Aurora.” I give him my prettiest smile. “Yes. Before our king found his mate, we learned that we could stop the progress of the affliction with positive energy. Of course, with Queen Gina at his side, our king has become a source of great energy himself. When their baby was born, the circle was complete; they turned back the blight, and Autumnburn was saved.”
“I don’t see that on the cards for Ryacyn,” Bartholomew mutters.
I shrug. “Who knows what might be on the cards for Ryacyn, Lord Bellingham? Anything could happen.” He scowls at me, and I smile back.
“So, how did you manage to use this…positive energy you speak of?” Mortas looks intrigued.
“We had pleasure parties.” I angle myself to face him.
“Pleasure parties?”
“Yes. Pleasures of the flesh. Food. Drink… Sex.” I lick my lips. His eyes widen.
“Let me get this clear. You were able to hold back The Hunger with sex parties?” Mortas looks astounded. Salem stifles a laugh.
“Orgies, Master Mortas,” I correct him, shooting a quick look at Bart. He’d taken delight in teasing me about them when I’d revealed this all those months ago. “I arranged orgies. It was a very gratifying role.”
“I can only imagine.” He chuckles. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested in doing the same thing over here?”
“That depends on the incentive.” I rest my elbow on the table and cup my chin in my palm. My hair tumbles over my shoulder, and I brush it back slightly, exposing my neck.
“Incentive, hmm? I’m sure that could be arranged.” His eyes meet mine. There’s amusement there. I’m pretty sure the man knows I’m up to something, and he’s playing right along. Because he chooses that moment to flicker his eyes in Bart’s direction and then bob his eyebrows at me. I’d giggle, but I know it would ruin the effect.
The Overlord clears his throat abruptly. “Could we get back to business?”
Mortas shoots me a look, then turns back to Bart. “I think I’m quite interested in this business of orgies,” he says. “Perhaps Lady Aurora and I should investigate this in more detail. We could—”
Bart slams his hand on the table. “Absolutely not!” he barks. “There’ll be no orgies planned on Ryacyn soil!”
“Are you sure? Because if it worked for Autumnburn, it could be an option here.” Mortas isn’t giving up.
“Master Mortas might have a point.” It’s Salem now.
“I’ll second that,” says Radella, nodding. “At this point, I’d be happy to see us trying something that didn’t simply involve locking up every Cursed vampire we manage to capture.”
“You’ve captured them?” I turn to her.
“Several,” she says. “After the Battle of the Fae, we took numerous prisoners of war. They remain safely in our dungeons along with…” She trails off.
“Along with my sister,” Bartholomew finishes. His jaw has clenched. “As soon as we have a cure, we will use it on them. I’m sure you can see that this is a matter of urgency and hardly one to make light of with talk of…orgies.”
Great. Now I feel guilty.
“I’m sorry,” I respond in a small voice.
“It’s not your fault.” Mortas puts his hand over mine. This time the sound I hear coming from Bart is most definitely a growl. I sneak a quick look up at him and see his eyes glowing. His lip is curled, and there’s a hint of fang.
Hollyhocks!
That shouldn’t be so sexy, but I find myself pressing my thighs together. Maybe it’s because I’ve only had sex once in my whole damn life, and it was months ago.
The Overlord aims a hard look at where Mortas still has his hand over mine. The dark vampire smirks, then casually leans back in his seat, finally releasing my fingers but taking his time.
Bart shoves his chair back and stands. “I think we’ve said enough for one day.” Without another word, he gathers his things and stalks out.
There’s silence for a few seconds. Then Mortas starts to chuckle. It’s now perfectly obvious that he’d definitely been playing along with my game. And the others can see it too.
“By Blood, you’re such a dick, Mortas!” Radella is laughing, too.
Salem giggles. “Well, somebody has to knock him down a peg or two. He may be our king, but that man can be impossible sometimes.”
“Our Grand Master is under tremendous pressure,” Luther interrupts. “With this Curse and having to keep his sister under lock and key…we should be more sensitive.”
“All the more reason to get him to lighten up,” says Mortas. “If he keeps on like this, his head will explode.”
“When was the last time anyone saw him smile?” Radella is shaking her head.
“Not since…” Salem turns to look at me. “Not since the last time you were here, Lady Aurora.” A silvery eyebrow lifts. “We never had a chance to meet you during your visit because Bartholomew seemed intent on keeping you to himself.”
“I’d hardly say that.” I press my lips together.
“I would.” It’s Luther now. “It seems to me that you may do more than simply find a cure for the Curse while you’re here, my Lady.” His eyes twinkle. I give a little shrug and hide my smile.
A girl can only dream.
21
Bartholomew
Breakfast isn’t really a meal that most vampires pay attention to. Food is something of a curiosity, and many of our kind are late risers.
But I like it. The sun is beautiful at this time of day, and it’s often a time of solitude.
This morning, however, I can’t concentrate. The coffee on the table beside my plate has grown cold, and my eggs are a congealed mess. I seldom eat anymore, but today I can’t stomach the thought of it.
All I can think about is her. Not that this is a new problem. It’s been like this for months. But now she’s here, and it’s harder than ever. I could reach out and touch her if I wanted to.
I won’t. Even though I know she was taunting me yesterday. Fucking flirting with Mortas. And the asshole played right along.
By Blood, I’m a fool!
I knew it was intentional. Still, I couldn’t help but react. It felt like something inside of me took over, then all I wanted to do was claim her. And rip his throat out.
I shake my head in frustration as I think about how easily she had gotten under my skin.
“My Lord?” Faine is at my side, as usual. “Do you thirst?” She holds her wrist up, a sharp nail poised over a vein. I’m about to wave her away when footsteps ring down the hall. I hear Aurora’s laughter. The warm, husky sound has my balls tightening. The handle of the door to the breakfast room starts to turn, and I reach for Faine’s wrist as the door opens. I’m sinking my fangs through her skin as Aurora steps into the room.
“Oh!” she says in alarm just as Faine lets out a low moan. “Oh…I… Excuse me!”
I draw in the warm blood, and Faine makes a soft mewling sound, clutching at my shoulder. Her skin beneath my lips is soft, smooth…and quite repulsive. I never take from the vein; it’s an intimacy I plan to reserve for my mate. When I find one. But right now, this serves a different purpose.
“I’ll come back later,” Aurora says as I look up to meet her eyes. Something flickers in hers. I retract my fangs and release Faine’s wrist. She slumps against me, breathing heavily. It’s not an unusual reaction, but Aurora looks like she’s been slapped.
I suppose she has, in a way.
The next time she toys with me the way she did yesterday, I might just deliver that spanking I once promised her.
Get your head out of your ass, Bellingham!
“Please, come in.” I lick my lips and gesture to a seat. “I imagine you’re hungry?”
She shakes her head, her mouth opening and closing. “I… No, I think I’ll come back later.”
“Don’t be foolish, Aurora. We have a long day ahead, and you’ll need your energy.”
She’s still hovering in the doorway, wearing one of those body-skimming tunics she favors. Belted at the waist, slit up the thigh. It’s a lovely shade of green that matches her eyes. Eyes that flash to Faine and then back at me. Faine is still panting. And Aurora despises her right now. I can sense it. Just the way I’ve sensed so much in her since I met her. Not clear thoughts as if reading her mind. Just general perceptions.
I keep getting images of bats.
Right now, I’m sensing fury. And a solid serving of jealousy.
Perfect.
Aurora raises her chin and holds my gaze. “Fine,” she says, her voice cold. “I’ll stay for breakfast.”
She stalks over to the table and sits down, scowling. I raise an eyebrow at Faine, who’s gazing at me with unbridled hunger. I wave a hand, and she backs away reluctantly.
“Coffee?” I say to Aurora when she finally looks up at me.
“I can’t believe you’re speaking about coffee right now!”
“You’d prefer tea?”
“Tea?” she scoffs. “What the hell are you playing at, Bartholomew?”
“What do you mean?” I give her a hint of a smile.
“That…that…” She points at Faine. “You were drinking from her, and she was…”
“I’m a vampire, Aurora. I drink blood. That’s what we do.”
“But…but…she was enjoying it!”
“They always do.” I sigh. “You’d prefer it if she wasn’t?”
Aurora shakes her head so sharply that her hair flies like flames. “You’re an asshole, you know that?”
“Because I chose to feed in front of you? You’ve about to have breakfast. Should I throw a tantrum about your oatmeal?”
“I am not throwing a tantrum!” Her eyes are wild. “You did that on purpose!”
“Of course I did. I need food, just like you do. Maybe you’d prefer me to starve.”
“You know what I mean, dammit!” She folds her arms over her chest and huffs out an angry breath.
“I have no idea.” I let my lips curl up at the corners. “Perhaps you should explain.”
She glares at the female vampire behind me. “I’m not having this conversation in front of her,” she mutters.
“You may go, Faine.” I raise a hand, and the woman melts away. She’ll leave through the service entrance and linger nearby with Lamia in case I need her again. “So,” I say to Aurora, “continue.”
“Continue what?”
“You were going to tell me how I should be feeding.” I take a sip of my cold coffee and lean back in my chair.
“No, I wasn’t. I just don’t think it’s right for you to be drinking other women’s blood while I’m in the room.”
“Why not?”
“Ugh!” If she was standing, I’m sure she’d be stomping her foot right now. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
“There’s nothing to say. I’d just rather not watch you…doing that.”
“Would you like it better if I was drinking your blood, Aurora?”
Her eyes go huge. “Sorry, what?!”
“You heard me.”
She shakes her head again, then gives a little gasp when I stand. She shrinks back as I start to stroll over to her. I can hear her pulse thundering as I move closer.
By the time I get to her side, her chest is heaving. I lean in and murmur into her ear, “Would you like me to feed from you, Aurora?”
A tiny ripple of gooseflesh rises as my breath whispers down her neck. The skin of her throat moves as she swallows hard. I can see the faint tracery of blue where her blood flows beneath the surface. So sweet I can taste it…imagine it like nectar on my tongue. Imagine—
Fuck!
I straighten abruptly.
By Blood, Bellingham!
This is not the way things are supposed to go. Toy with her? Yes. Play mind games where I end up hard as rock? Hell no!
“What are you trying to prove, Bartholomew?” Her voice is hoarse.
“Just that you’re not the only one who can play at that game.” I keep my voice level, but it’s hard.
She’s on her feet, too, now, and she sets her hands on her hips. They’re gently rounded, and the movement thrusts her breasts out. They’re rounded, too.
She’s so damned lovely.
“You’re an asshole, you know that?”
I can’t help but smirk at her remark — she’s running out of snappy comebacks. “Yes, I’m aware of that.”
“So what do you want?” The challenge in her eyes is unmistakable, and suddenly I realize I’m about to accept it.
“What do you think I want, Aurora?” Somehow I’m taking a step forward, and somehow she’s stepping back.
Her next step takes her up against the edge of the table, and she stops short. She’s breathing hard again, and her breath rushes out as I bump up against her. Her pupils are blown out, and I’m sure mine are, too. I’m certain she can feel the hard line of my cock pressing up against her. So many months of wanting…needing…
Spell. It’s the spell!
But I don’t give a fuck right now. Sliding my fingers into her thick curls, I use a handful of her hair to draw her hair back. The slender column of her throat is exposed to me, and when I run my tongue up the line of it, she shudders. I can feel her nipples poking at me through the fabric of my shirt.
“Do you want me to take from you?” I whisper against her skin.
The words hang between us, but Aurora doesn’t answer. Instead, she tilts her head further back and looks at me with heavy-lidded eyes.
“Bart…” she exhales. “Please…”
“I’m not going to,” I say into the shell of her ear, and she stiffens.
“Sweet petals, but you’re such a dick!” she growls, and suddenly there’s a sharp pain in my earlobe as I realize she’s just nipped me.
Minx!
I release a low growl and shudder in pleasure, then lower my head until our lips brush lightly. “You know that’s an invitation in my world, don’t you?”
“So what if it is?” Her voice is breathless. Without allowing myself to think about what I’m doing, I claim her lips. The kiss is rough, hot, passionate. It sets my blood burning and my flesh on fire.
My hand finds its way to her hip, and I pull her against me as I explore every inch of her mouth with mine. Her hands grip my shoulders and make their way up my neck before finally winding themselves in my hair.
I groan against her lips as I feel her body move beneath mine. I nudge a knee between her thighs, and then one calf hooks over my hip, and she grinds her mound against the thick ridge of my cock. It’s almost enough to make my eyes roll back in my head.
I’ve been imagining this for months, and the reality is better. Reaching an arm behind her, I sweep the table clear, then lift her up and set her on it. She’s scrabbling for the belt of my pants while I’m pushing her dress up over her hips. The satin of her panties is soaking wet when I slide my fingertips along it.
“Oh…oh yes!” she chokes, arching up to meet my touch. Pulling my belt free, she fumbles to unzip my pants, and then her hand is around the length of me. Now it’s my turn to be gasping with need.
“So good…” I groan as her fingers curl around me, teasing the tip with just the right pressure. I move against her touch, pushing back against her hand until I’m ready to burst. But that’s not what I need right now. Grasping her by the hips, I tug her to the edge of the table and wedge myself between her splayed thighs. She puts one hand behind her to support herself while the other remains clasped around my throbbing shaft.
Yanking her panties aside, I find her clit and circle it with my fingertip. Her head drops back, and she moans out loud. When I slide my fingers along her pouting lips, they part, easily taking them in to the knuckle. The wet sounds are enough to drive a man to the brink. So are the sweet whimpers she’s making.
“Bart… Oh god!” Her muscle clamp and clench around my thrusting fingers. She’s still so tight that I’m pretty certain that I wasn’t just her first but also the last who has explored these hot depths. I lower my head and take a hard nipple into my mouth, nipping it through the silky fabric of her dress while I work her pussy with an accuracy that has her bucking and pleading.
When she guides the head of my cock to the dripping seam of her sex, it’s all I can do not to slam right into her. I have to remind myself that it’s going to be too much for her if I take it too fast. Instead, I take my time, sliding in an inch and then pausing.
“Tight…fuck…” I grit out. She grabs the front of my shirt, bunching the fabric in her fist. Her breath is coming in short pants as I push in a little farther, waiting until she adjusts to me.
