Page 16 of Blood Kisses

“I know you don’t. I say what I observe. You like to be restrained and dominated. If you want me to do that, I have more than enough anger to take out on you.” Severin reached out. He pulled the blanket away from Nikolaus’s chest and dropped it on the ground.

Nikolaus bit his kiss-swollen lips. He shivered, candlelight shadows playing across his pale skin. Semen gleamed wetly on his belly. His cock was turgid with blood. Severin wanted to plunge back into him again. Tension crackled between them both.

He turned away. “Get dressed. Pack a bag. Make haste for God’s sake.”

Nikolaus finally moved. He wiped himself down with a cloth. Then in silence he hurried to a chair in the corner and pulled on black breeches, a white shirt, a waistcoat and frock coat. He buckled a pair of shoes and then he stood over Emil a moment, looking down. He glanced at Severin. “I need access to the armoire.”

Severin strode over. He nudged Emil aside with his foot and swung the door open. Nikolaus pulled a travelling bag down from the top shelf. He shoved clothes in quickly. Severin glanced around the room. He crossed to the bedside table and plucked the bottle of oil from it and something else from the drawer—the stone dildo and paddle. Nikolaus didn’t say anything when Severin dropped the items into the bag.

“For you,” the vampire said. “In case you need them.” It amused him to steal Emil’s sex toys as well as his pet. He opened the chamber door and glanced out into the corridor. “Come on.” He pulled the key from the lock.

Nikolaus donned a heavy velvet cloak. He pulled the hood up and stepped out, closing the door. Severin locked the door and pocketed the key. They set off down the corridor. Nikolaus walked with head bowed and after the first interested look from a passing vampire, Severin placed a possessive arm around the human’s shoulders, making it clear just who Nikolaus belonged to.

Nikolaus was a few inches shorter than him. His shoulders felt fragile under Severin’s touch. He dragged his feet on the stone flags as though he went to his doom. Severin spared him no sympathy. In time the human would thank him for this. He led the way past the dungeon and the kitchen and ascended the spiral stairs that would take them to his chamber.

He let Nikolaus quickly into his room and grabbed his bag from the corner. It was still half packed; Severin never got too comfortable wherever he went. He gestured to the room. “Put everything in. I’ll be back in a moment. Lock the door after me.”

But as he swung open the door, he was confronted by the man he had been about to seek. Severin dragged his friend inside and glanced anxiously into the corridor before shutting the door.

“What are you doing?” Istvan said before his gaze fell on Nikolaus packing the bag and he frowned, his mouth tightening into a thin line of displeasure.

“We need to go,” Severin said. “Now. I’ve injured Emil. He will come for me and kill us all.”

Istvan stared at him. “Injured him?”

“I drank from him. Get your bag.”

“Drank from him?”

“Stop repeating my words, Istvan, and hurry!” Severin exploded, shoving his friend to the door.

Istvan gripped Severin’s shoulders. “My friend,” he said in a low voice. “What have you done?”

Severin looked into Istvan’s amber eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to put you in danger. Things got out of control.” They both looked at Nikolaus who hung his head.

“And this man, what is he to you? He’s Emil’s pet. Leave him.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?” Istvan’s tone was laced with scorn. “You said you weren’t sure what you ever saw in him. What has changed?”

Nikolaus’s head jerked up. His violet eyes bored into Severin’s.

“Keep your voice down,” Severin muttered. “Now is not the time. Emil will tear him limb from limb, that’s why he can’t remain. We take him and then we decide what to do with him.”

Istvan threw one more cold look at Nikolaus before he shook his head and left the room. Severin didn’t dare glance at his human lover. He knew Nikolaus had heard every word he said.

Chapter Twelve

The three of them descended the back stairs as calmly as they could, considering they were wearing cloaks and carrying bags. Severin was sure no one was allowed to leave the gathering early and questions would be asked at the front door. Perhaps sneaking out the rear would be more favourable.

Severin nudged Nikolaus as they reached the kitchens. “You’ve spent enough time down here. How do we get out?”

Nikolaus pushed back the hood on his cloak and looked around nervously. “Through the dungeon.”

Severin glanced at Istvan who remained tight-lipped and angry looking. “Let’s go.”

Nikolaus led the way down the slippery stone steps and they arrived in the familiar storage room. Nikolaus didn’t pause but led them past the burning torch to the chamber Severin had found him in the previous day. Severin shuddered as they entered the room and he saw the empty chains attached to the wall. He remembered Nikolaus hanging there, his cock hard against his flimsy breeches, leaking when Severin cupped him.

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