Page 52 of Princess Broken

We enter the square, and more vampires are gathered around the cavernous space this time. Many are simply passing through, while others are sitting or standing in groups and talking. Everyone seems so relaxed compared to the formality I was used to at court, or even on the executive levels of the DEFTA building.

“This way.” Flame tips his head to the side and then leads me into a passage. The ceiling is low and he needs to bend slightly, and it’s so narrow we can’t walk side by side. Flame’s body blocks any chance I might have to get a glimpse of what lies ahead.

Flame emerges from the tunnel, steps to the side, and bright light temporarily blinds me. Blinking, I realize the lights only seem bright in contrast to the dark passageway, and my eyes adjust from night vision to normal. The lights in here are dim, creating an intimate mood.

Nerves freeze me, as I absorb the scene. Besides Flame and me, there are close to twenty vampires in the room, some feeding, some engaged in coitus, some doing both at the same time.

Others are merely observing. Most vampires are in various stages of undress, and those wearing clothes are definitely dressed in tight, sexy clothing, male and female alike. At least my garb fits in, even if I very much do not.

Four females race toward Flame, all naked or close to it, and they fight to get his attention. One of them left a male who was inside her when we walked in.

“Hey, Flame. Here to feed, Flame? Want to fuck, Flame?” The women all speak over each other, and I’m not only shocked at their boldness—I’m annoyed.

Flame came in here with me, do they not even see me?

“I’m not here to feed.” He winks at them, and then nods toward me.

After a few more denials from Flame, the women turn away, and he smacks one on her bare backside. The sound resonates through the space and her bottom turns pink.

I’m pleased that he’s sent them away, but appalled at his disrespectful action. I’m about to suggest he apologize, but she stops and bends forward.

The handprint on her buttocks growing redder, the woman looks back over her shoulder. “More, please.”

Flame laughs. The woman shrugs and then returns to her previous partner, who bends her against a pillar, and then plows into her again, as if he barely noticed the interruption.

The variations I’m seeing in the sex act astound me. I do know the way Timur took me is not the only way, but I didn’t think there were as many ways to have sex as I’m witnessing right now.

In the far corner, two men and one woman form a tight grouping, and I look more closely, trying to figure out what’s going on. Are both of them inside her? At the same time? I gasp. How is that even possible? How do they fit?

“You okay?” Flame runs his hand down my back.

I’m very much not okay. My breaths are coming too quickly and my thirst is now overwhelming. My fangs emerge, and my legs wobble as if they’re planning to go on strike, refusing to support me until I feed. Heat and wetness pool between my shaky legs, but nausea rises in my throat.

Another memory flashes. A memory of being intimately touched in front of others. But that must be a nightmare, not a memory. Shame and fear overwhelm me.

I want to feed. I need to feed. But I can’t…

Not like this. Not in here. Not with people watching. Not with someone I don’t even know.

Feeding from another vampire is an intimate act, very intimate, at least it is to me, not to mention the act I might crave once it’s done.

“Hey.” Facing me, Flame takes my shoulders in his hands. “Ana. You okay?”

I shake my head, unable to speak, but also unable to disguise my panic.

Shifting his hands to my head, he tips up my face. “Look at me,” he says softly.

Opening my eyes, I find his full of concern—and…confusion?

“When you said you’d only fed from males,” he says, “did you mean—”

“Only Timur.” The words burst from my body. Then, as if those words were the last thing holding me up, I collapse.

Flame scoops me into his arms. And holding me tightly against his chest, he heads back through the tunnel, moving quickly. He bends to avoid scraping his head, and that moves my face, my nose, my lips and fangs, very close to his throat. I have never in my life felt a thirst like this.

My fangs tingle, burn if I’m honest, but I dare not take advantage. Flame doesn’t want to feed me, and I would never take someone’s blood against their will. Not a vampire’s or a human’s.

But Flame and his blood smell so good. His scent is like fire, hints of the peat smoke, but also a hint of sulphur, and an exotic mix of fiery spices. My mouth waters; my fangs ache.

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