Page 173 of Castings & Curses

He bent me over his arm, his strength easily holding me as he feasted on my mouth, then he swept me up and laid me on the bed. For one brief moment, my will stumbled as I gazed up at him. He had the strength of ten men now, and no weapon could harm him. If he so desired, he could snuff out my life as he would a candle flame. He had done so already to others. Seeming to sense my slight hesitation, he paused, his head cocked as his gaze roamed leisurely down my body. Everywhere his gaze touched burned in response.

“Will you…drink from me?” I whispered.

“No, my love. I would never wish this curse upon you. I will protect you always.”

I nodded then and opened my arms to him, and he came over me, slowly, as if still giving me the choice to refuse him.

I did not.

* * *

Cristian

When I had gazedout over my vineyards in the first rosy glow of dawn, I thought I’d seen beauty. When I’d ridden my stallion at a gallop across snowy fields, I thought I’d known joy. But no experience had prepared me for the wonder of this woman lying in my bed, her arms and body open to me, full of trust and…dare I hope, love.

Her hair was a golden halo around her head, and her green eyes were as welcoming as a cool forest, full of life. Her skin was warmed by the fire’s light that gilded her breasts and the dip of her waist and the elegant curve of her hips. I let my hand follow that curve until it slid over her thigh, where I cupped her, finding her even wetter than she had been when I’d tasted her nectar moments ago.

I moved over her and kissed her. Her sweet mouth was so hot, her tongue so eager. As I lowered myself, she spread her thighs and raised her hips. Never in my living life had I been so eager to plunge my cock into a woman’s body, yet I held back, teasing her with my fingers, wringing groans and gasps from her, pleasuring her breasts, enticing her with sucking kisses along her throat and shoulders, until finally, she moaned my name. And I slid inside.

Oh, the glorious heat… She cried out and twined her legs around my hips. Images flooded my mind—tipping back my head to feel the sun shining on my face on a cold winter’s day; the sweet scent of freshly cut hay in the summer; the buzzing of bees flying among the bloodred roses that grew along the castle walls… The joys I’d sacrificed to enter my unnatural life were given back to me tenfold by this kind and good woman in my arms. As I found a rhythm that drove us both to a brilliant peak, I thought only of her pleasure, of her strong heart beating against my lips when I kissed her throat and her lips. And when she came, crying out, I caught her living breath and returned it with a shout of my own as unfathomable pleasure convulsed me.

When her breathing had slowed once more, I cradled her against me, her skin sun-warmed brown against my alabaster tones. I brushed her hair back from her cheek, unsure if I’d find the dampness of tears, or horror in her eyes at the realization she’d given herself to a monster. Instead, I found her smiling at me, and she pressed her small, soft hand against my cheek. My undead heart turned over in my chest with undeniable love.

“I am yours now, Cristian,” she whispered.

I pressed my lips to her palm. “And I am yours. Forever.”

CHAPTER10

Cristian

As Seraphus had saidthey would, the vampire council summoned me to a distant estate. As the newest addition to their kind, I needed to understand their hierarchy, their laws, their demands.

When the wrought-iron doors to the grand hall swung open, I was ushered into a room bathed in an eerie glow, the muted light of the moon spilling in through tall stained-glass windows, painting the floor with splashes of ethereal blue. The towering dark walls seemed to pulse with the weight of ancient history.

Dominating the room was a semicircle of grandiose thrones, each occupied by a figure shrouded in shadows. As I drew closer, their pale faces emerged from the darkness. Cold eyes watched me, appraising, evaluating. The seven members of the ruling council.

“Welcome, Cristian Lazar.” A female voice as icy as frost clinging to the winter leaves rang throughout the hall. “I am Edeline, the council’s leader.” Her sharp eyes pinned me like a predator eyeing its prey. She introduced the other council members before turning to me once more.

“I trust your transition has been enlightening?” Her cold smile didn’t reach her ageless eyes.

“Indeed, it has,” I responded, forcing a cordial tone.

“Excellent,” a male voice chimed in. It belonged to Oskar, who, with his more corpselike appearance, seemed to be the oldest among them. His eyes held a flicker of interest as he shifted on his throne, the silver embroidery on his black robe catching the moonlight.

Oskar’s gaze hardened. “You must remember, we live by laws, Lord Lazar, to maintain order among our kind. Violating them is not advisable.”

I felt the gravity of his statement, the underlying threat in his voice. “I understand.”

“Then you must also understand this…” Edeline said, her gaze sharp as she leaned forward. “There are restrictions on whom you may form associations with.”

“Associations?” The question escaped my lips before I could stop it.

“Romantic associations,” clarified Oskar with a knowing look.

I felt a sudden chill, my mind filled with images of Sage, her emerald eyes, her kindness, her courage. The mere thought of her filled me with warmth, but here, in this cold, unfeeling council, it felt like a forbidden flame.

“Specifically with witches,” Edeline said, punctuating the last word like the toll of a death knell.

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