Page 41 of The Serpent's Bride
No one who knew the real Monica was present. No one who cared about the girl whose life had been given away. Sold to a monster who planned to chew up and spit out the little human.
“But I will say this much, sweetheart.” Raziel picked up her hand, lacing his fingers into hers. The warmth of his skin was fascinating. It came and went so quickly when he drank blood—like someone experiencing a fever. Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles before turning her hand over to place another kiss, slower, against her wrist. Over the veins that pulsed there. “I am enjoying having you around more than I expected.”
There was a rumble in his chest that she could barely hear over the chatter of guests and the clinking of dinnerware. But she couldfeelit. Like the vibration of an engine. He kissed her wrist again, his lips parted. It sent a shiver through her, goosebumps exploding onto her arms, as he slowly ran his tongue along the vein.
Everything in her went tense, watching him in fascinated horror as he kissed her wrist a third time, scraping her skin with his fangs.
What would it be like, to be bitten by a vampire?
Would it hurt? She had seen humans become addicted to it, worse than powder—throwing themselves at the feet of their vampiric masters, begging to be emptied like a bottle of wine. Worse were those who had been hooked and then discarded—those poor souls would beganyvampire to open their veins.
But that was how it felt for humans.
She wasfae.
There were no stories she’d ever heard or anything she’d witnessed that would explain what was coming. Would it hurt her? Would it be bliss? Would he taste it, or would her glamor hold on, and she would taste human in his mouth long enough to fool him?
Why was the idea of it soexciting?
It should be revolting. Terrifying. He could discover her secret. There was nowayshe’d taste the same as a human to him. He could bite her and her ruse would be over in the single beat of a heart.
Instead, she shifted in her chair, unable to fight the fire that it lit in her. Theneed.
Why did she need him to take her? To consume her?
When was the last time she had ever needed something that badly in her life?
His crimson eyes were darkened with lust, as he rolled his tongue over her vein again. The grip of his hand in hers tightened as if he was about to lose control. She couldn’t help but picture him sinking his fangs into her skin, snarling like the lion he compared himself to, as he drank her dry at their wedding table. She could picture a bloom of her blood spraying out over the white linen tablecloth like so many rose petals.
It should be a horrifying image.
Instead, she squeezed his hand back. Her face felt like it was on fire. Everything felt like it was ablaze, only a shade cooler than his tongue.
“Congratulations, brother!”
Nadi jolted. She had been so caught up in the moment she had entirely missed the fact that someone was walking up to her. Blinking, she turned her attention up to the mountain of a man now standing in front of their table, smiling. It was clear he knew exactly what he’d just interrupted.
Raziel sighed. “Mael, I wasbusy.”
“I noticed.” Mael sniffed, dismissively, his broad smile unflinching. “That’s why Mother sent me over here. Didn’t want you bending the girl over your table and rutting her in front of the guests.”
Mael was his brother’s opposite in almost every way. Long blond hair that seemed to want to curl into little ringlets that seemed far too innocent for someone like him. Golden eyes that were rare for a vampire. He was built like a tank, standing inches over Raziel’s already towering form. But like Ivan, Mael added to his presence with girth, his perfectly tailored suit clearly working hard to contain the musculature underneath.
He was beautiful, with squared features that were quick to smile. Where everyone feared Raziel, and even the humans seemed to distrust and shun him—everyonelovedMael. He was welcome at every level of society. He was invited to shake hands. Hold human babies.
Raziel was left to deal with matters better left unspoken and unseen.
“I would hardly do anything so crude, dear brother.” Raziel released Nadi’s hand. “I was merely enjoying myself for the first time in this ridiculous day.”
“Mm. Yes, that was exactly what we were worried about.” Mael chuckled. He smiled at her gently. “I apologize for my brother. He’s such a moody bastard. Welcome to the family, Monica.” He held out his hand to her. “I hope he hasn’t been too unbearable.”
Nadi took it, smiling. “It’s all right. This is all very lovely.”
“As are you.” Mael bent down to kiss her knuckles like a gentleman.
She didn’t miss Raziel’s growl from her side. Deciding it would be a great deal of fun needling her newhusband—the thought almost made her burst out in laughter again—shedecided to play along. “You’ll make me blush, Mael. Don’t make me sad that I didn’t get to marry the charismatic one.”
Mael laughed, warm and genuine, revealing his own set of fangs. “Brother, I like her. Let me know if you get bored with her before you make your decision.”
