Page 58 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood
I’m just thankful the council is only made up of the heads of house and not their heirs. I was not in the mood to see Vincent after what he did the other night. Just the thought of him has my fingers brushing across the scar on my wrist. I push the memory away, hating how it makes my heart race.
He will pay for what he did,Athriel says.
“As is customary, we will give each head of house the opportunity to present their decision to renew their blood vow with the court of shadows,” he pauses momentarily as he turns his attention briefly to the prince, “or to consider a vow with a new court. Your Majesty, do you wish to add anything?”
I have no idea what they’re talking about, but the room suddenly seems to be very tense, as they all appear to be awaiting a response from the prince. He picks up his glass by the stem, twirling it between his fingers. He sits back lazily in his chair as he presses it to his lips and closes his eyes for a brief second to savor the taste of the red liquid.
“I am far more interested in what you all have to say,” he finally says.
“Perhaps a drink first to start off the evening.”
The prince shrugs nonchalantly, and for the first time in my life, I see Lissian look out of sorts. I hate the prince, but I can’t help the small smile that touches my lips at seeing the Lord flustered for once. He usually visits the bloodhouse once a quarter for an inspection, and when he’s not hauled up inAmabel’s office, he spends the entire time intimidating the purebloods within it. Even the sired vampires are treated like shit on his visits. But today, he’s the one who looks weak and pathetic, and something about that brings me great pleasure.
Lissian clicks his fingers, and all the purebloods hurry in the direction of their assigned vampire. I hesitate for a moment before moving slowly toward the prince. He looks up as I approach him, watching me with an intensity that raises the hairs on my skin. It’s as if the rest of the room has vanished, and in that moment, I consider taking my chance—letting my blood turn black and killing him right here, consequences be damned. But I cannot let my anger get the better of me. No, I need to see Willow alive and well first and know my efforts were worth it. I’ll play the good little pureblood for now and lure him into a false sense of security until we are finally alone and I can make my kill.
When I reach him, he turns his attention to my dress again, his eyes taking a slow scan up every inch of it until he reaches my eyes. He gives me a pointed look, and I shrug my shoulders.
“You changed,” he says just loud enough for me to hear.
I look down at my dress as though I have only just realized.
“Oh, yes, so I did. I had a sudden distaste for the last one. I cannot imagine why.”
Though his face is straight, there is a hint of amusement I detect behind the cold exterior. A game of cat and mouse, he can’t help but indulge in.
“I’m sure.”
I extend the wrist with my crest toward him, and his eyes scan over the black mark. He sits up before wrapping a hand around the top of my thigh and pulling me close to him. I let out an embarrassing squeak that makes me want to punch him in the face. He reaches forward, wrapping his hand around my wrist and lifting it toward him. His finger brushes over the scarVincent left behind, and I tense. He instantly removes his touch and then lifts my wrist to his nose.
He inhales deeply, and I fight a shudder from breaking free.
“So deliciously potent,” he whispers before he sinks his fangs into me.
I’m just about to roll my eyes when an electric feeling shoots through my entire body. I try to resist, but the force is too strong, and without thinking, I grasp his shoulder with my other hand to steady myself. His grip on my wrist tightens as he drinks deeply, a ragged moan leaving his mouth.
Vampires are always in control when it comes to feedings. If they are feeling kind, they can make you feel nothing, but they also have the power to allow you to experience intense pleasure or extreme pain. The choice is always there. But this…this is euphoric.
I am keenly aware of the others in the room as I bite back a moan. Vampires rarely create such pleasure from a bite in such a public place. My fingers dig into his shoulder as my nipples harden, and an intense wave of pleasure fills my core. I shut my eyes as I attempt to regain some composure. An embarrassing moan slips from my mouth, and I try to pull away, but the prince’s grip tightens against my thigh, holding me in place. His lips burn hot against my skin, and I hate that him stealing my blood feels this good. I’ve had vampires make their bites pleasurable before, but this is not the same.This is intoxicating.
A throat clears, and the prince seems to drag himself from the spell, dropping my arm as though it can set him on fire at any minute. I stumble back, but my eyes are on him.What the hell was that?
That is what I’d like to know.
My face heats at the realization that Athriel also felt what I did.
Pleasure is not a thing to be ashamed of, my dear Adina.
I scoff.The pleasure was not my own.
He only laughs in response.
I ignore him, moving quickly back to my spot across the room, desperate to create distance between myself and the prince. It feels like every pair of eyes in the room is watching me. I can’t help but steal a glance at the prince, and a look of pure lust mixed with confusion mars his features. My face heats at the attention, and I thank the gods that the coppery brown complexion of my skin will hide the flush of my cheeks.
“Shall we begin?” I’m thankful when Lissian’s words draw the attention of everyone in the room. I sweep my fingers across the bite marks the prince left behind, but almost gasp when I find smooth skin where they should be. Somehow, I healed without the prince using venom.That’s impossible.
Everyone’s attention is on the prince as they await confirmation, but he looks to be in some kind of daze. I don’t understand why he would embarrass us both like that when he is more than capable of taking control of the situation.
“Go ahead,” he says, his tone stern once again.
