He smiles gently, his dark eyes calming mine as he draws me close. “There’s no need to worry about my feelings, Embry. I can read your heart, love.”
I sniff. “I remember one time though. Lucas was really protective over the witches and snippy with me about my disdain for them. They put a spell on both Lucianna and him at points, and he was adamant that Devora had helped restore Lucianna’s powers. She must have, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t zap him again later, you know?” I was so damn mad at him that night. I honestly think that’s when things for me were different. I had known we were drifting apart for a long time before that night, but he had never been so outwardly belligerent. Maybe he was zapped for longer than we knew. And now, did the witches bring him back?”
Corvinus is quietly contemplating. I snuggle back into his warmth. “It’s like a puzzle that I need to solve for so many reasons. My mind just cannot wrap itself around it all. But I do know one thing for sure. Whoever and however they came back, those two aren’t getting the best of us, you can bet your ass on that.”
He smirks. “Of that, I never had a doubt in the world. You are fearless, my love. Now go to sleep. You and the ladies cango through the books tomorrow, and I’m going to be moving forward with the warriors.”
Corvinus is always so levelheaded, methodical, and probably right. I turn over, away from him in the darkness and slide back into place as his arms slip around me from behind.
“Embry?”
“Yes, vampire?” I ask, plumping my pillow into submission.
“If you want to be a warrior, all you need to do is apply. See where it goes. You have the very same chance of being on the team as anyone else, understand?”
It’s not as easy as that and he knows it. “Right, then I lose you or you end up losing your position. That’s a chance I’m not willing to take. No, for right now, let’s leave things alone. I don’t need to be on the warriors to learn the secrets of the shadow books, nor to find Lucas and Isala and make them pay. Those three things, that’s what I’m focused on right now. So stop worrying about me, vampire and get some sleep. You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you and it doesn’t involve protecting me. I am fierce enough to protect myself and don’t you forget it.”
In one quick movement, he has me rolled over, facing him. He strokes a finger down my cheek. “Such a sass, aren’t you? If you don’t behave, I’ll take you to my private dungeon and do terribly wicked things to you. Some you will enjoy and others you will not like at all. A spanking is all fun and games when it’s for pleasure, but there’s nothing funny to me about your safety. If you put yourself in danger, I’ll bend you over my knee bare-ass naked and spank that pretty little ass of yours until you say you won’t do it again.”
Desire blooms heavy, but the arrogant lord does not need to know that. “I didn’t agree to that…”
He gives me that handsome-ass smirk. “You are mine for an entire year, and right now, I have something to keep your mouth quiet. Something very big that’s been aching for you all evening.”
Everything south clenches with a deliciously sinful desire. He knows exactly what to do and say to relieve my stress and ease my mind. I don’t have to be asked, or told, or shown with a hand to my head. I slide down his body, one kiss, lick, and nibble at a time until I reach his already hard as stone rod and glance up at him. “This is my payback for the kitchen, vampire. You almost got me caught in a terribly unladylike position.”
He stretches, and my hand runs the length of his six pack, looking up at him while one hand holds his throbbing cock, licking the tip before taking a little bit into the warmth of my mouth, teasing. Because now, the tables have turned. And I like feeling the power of giving pleasure, at least when he will allow it. And he allows it, but for a very short time.
And then he takes the reins, placing a hand on the back of my head, driving up with his hips. “I think you’ve teased me enough love, I’m ready to play.”
His hand guides me, while I sink deeper and deeper onto his cock, listening to his low growling moan. This is what makes me wet, and needy for him over and over again. This push and pull, giving and taking of pleasure and power. I relish the feel of his hardness and the pulsing of his desire growing, getting larger and more powerful, until he’s at the back of my throat so deep I can barely breathe, but he knows exactly when to guide me back up, and then down again. And now it’s the arrogant dark lord growling my name while I bring him over the edge, wave after wave.
The arrogant dark lord just thinks he’s in charge…
Chapter 6
Corvinus
In just three weeks’ time while the ladies worked day and night deciphering passages, trying to understand visions, we’ve managed to assemble a group of highly skilled and hopeful warriors.
The great room below is filled with masters and lords along with skillful and adept vampires hoping to achieve positions with the elite warriors’ group. We are close to finalizing the new hierarchy to put this group back together again and the excitement on the young vampire faces is hopeful.
It is an elite calling, but not one just anyone will get. The warriors must not only be highly skilled in combat but go through a rigorous and extensive background check in order to even apply.
Bernard, a trusted employee for over a century in time, hands me an Italian handmade crystal tumbler filled with the amber colored Delmar. A scotch that can sooth even the most frayed of nerves. It should serve its purpose in keeping the edge off tonight, at least until this little foray and my speech is through.
Then tomorrow, I can head out to find the missing vampiress who seems to have caused such a stir. If it were up to me, I’d lether be. My jaw tightens as the crowd gathers around the podium in the lower level. Show time, I guess. I place the almost still full glass on the table at the top of the curved stairs and make the descent, letting my presence be known.
I raise a hand of welcome as I reach the podium. The excitement in the ornately decorated room is palpable, and it is my job to corral it, and ensure the energy is used to further our cause, build a new and elite group of combat warriors who will take the place of the traitors but well-oiled fighting machine we lost.
The crowd watches me with growing enthusiasm, and slowly the side conversations begin to diminish until the room is quiet. “Thank you for coming.”
The bright and eager faces make me proud to lead such an effort. “You are here tonight to help us rebuild the warriors who have been a valued part of our hierarchy for centuries. The future must look different today than it did yesterday, we must ensure the rogue vampires and other enemies alike are never able to infiltrate our flanks again. We will rebuild the vampire warriors with the help of many of you here today.”
The eruption of cheer is hard to diminish. I let it go on for a short while before cutting it short with a tap to the microphone. “I know everyone is excited, as are we. I gesture toward Overmaster Descallia and our new queen, Lucianna. For many of the young vampires, they are meeting her for the very first time and are in awe of her striking composure and brilliant glowing green eyes.
“Overmaster Descallia will not suffer traitors, not after what the master vampires have been through with the rogues. They have threatened our very existence since the beginning of time. Well, at least since the time when the convergence of ideals parted ways. That my friends, ends today.”
More cheers, until I hold up a hand to stay the boisterous crowd.
