“I’m fine, River.” She wiped her face once more and then smiled at Meadow. “I’ll ensure some tea and cakes are sent up. Unless you want something stronger?”
She shook her head. “If I’m only going to be claimed once by a pair of vampires, then I’d rather be sober and be able to remember it.”
River frowned at her. “You’re not doing that in here today, are you?”
“No. But if I drink too much, it might happen.”
“Then no alcohol when your vampire pair is here.” He studied her for a beat before asking, “Are you sure you want to do this today? I haven’t even had the chance to ask about what Khan said to you.”
“We can talk later, River. Putting off Laurie and Joseph will only make me more anxious, and I want to be as calm as possible when I start my magic lessons tomorrow with a real teacher.”
“So Khan is giving you a magic teacher, then. I had a feeling he might.”
Before she could reply, she heard someone coming up the stairs, along with low voices.
Male voices that had to belong to Laurie and Joseph.
Nora tugged River’s arm. “Come on, darling. Let’s leave them so they can get to know each other.”
River murmured something Meadow couldn’t hear, probably to the other males, and soon he and Nora were gone. Then Joseph appeared in the doorway, bowed his head, and entered. Laurie did the same little bowing of his head, and then shut the door.
But instead of coming closer, they merely stayed near the door. It was Joseph who spoke up. “You look lovely in your new clothes.”
Meadow’s cheeks heated, and she resisted the urge to straighten her skirts. “I look better, but skirts make me look like a whale.”
Joseph frowned. “Not even a little.”
She opened her mouth, but Laurie beat her to it. “Youarebeautiful, Meadow, and any male who says otherwise is mad.” He took a few steps closer, stopping about a foot in front of her. He reached out a hand and lightly traced her cheek, her chin, and then down her neck, and she barely resisted shivering at his light touch. His voice was lower when he continued, “You wore your hair up to tease us, didn’t you? To display all that soft skin, with your pulse beating faster and faster, to entice us.”
He traced the side of her neck, no doubt over her artery, up and down. Each stroke sent a rush of heat through her.
How could such a light touch affect her so much? Not even kissing the last guy she’d tried to have sex with had turned her on like this.
Probably because her powers had leaked out in the past, and so there hadn’t been any attempt at foreplay.
She gripped her bracelet, reassuring herself that it was still there.
Joseph walked closer and said, “No, it’s not your magic, Meadow. Or even that you blooded us. I almost don’t want to bring you to Nyx’s Kingdom because too many males and females will try to win you away from us.”
She frowned. “Stop being ridiculous.” He was about to reply, but she spoke first and asked, “What’s Nyx’s Kingdom? Is that the name of your sex club?”
Laurie chuckled, all while still stroking her neck. “A pleasure house is what we call it. But yes, that’s the name. Nyx is a lesser-known Greek goddess of night and darkness, which suits us. Not just because we’re vampires, but also because a lot of people find the most pleasure during the night hours. Not all, but many.”
Maybe if she were charming like her brother, she’d make a joke or innuendo. However, after being a near recluse for eight years, Meadow didn’t have any practice. Instead, she blurted, “You don’t have to try and woo me. I’ve already decided that I’ll let you claim me, maybe even sooner rather than later. That way you can go back to your lives and let me figure out my own.”
Laurie stilled his movements, and Joseph moved to stand next to him. They both frowned at her, and she resisted twisting her hands in her lap.
Great.Had she just upset them? Or had they taken it as an invitation?
If so, fine. From her experience, after a bite and a few pumps, they’d be done and go to sleep, anyway. Then she’d never have to see them again.
Although a part of her wished it could be more than that.
But if there was one thing Meadow was not, it was optimistic.
So she merely steeled herself for what they said next, determined to make the best of the situation.
Chapter Eight
