Page 46 of Nocturn

Each glide across his back left a pink flush. I put all the odd, building sensation in my belly into scrubbing. The pale flesh turned a harsher red.

The feeder’s moans echoed in my ears. As I moved down his arm with a more aggressive tug, my nail scored against his bicep. A thin line of onyx welled.

Black blood? The blood of the Saints . . .

A black pearl crept down his arm. The thin line healed, knitting together.

He chuckled, and I whipped my head to look at him. He studied my face, his uncanny attention sharpening, almost maniacal.

“Mortals and their pitiful jealousies,” he mused. “How quaint.” His smirk took on a sharp edge. I desperately wanted to dunk his head under the water, but that would certainly end badly for me.

I am jealous?

Heat spread up my neck.

No, that could not be, because if so, it meant my judgment was clouded. Emotions would only muddle my goals.

I straightened and lifted my chin.

“My lord?” I gripped the soap and cloth hard. “Why ever would I be jealous?”

He stood suddenly, that smirk heightening how unsettled I felt. Water sluiced down his body in rivulets. Leftover bubbles from the soap sliding down sluggishly.

I stepped back, my slipper skidding on the wet tile. A hot flush traveled to my face, burning my chest.

He prowled forward, causing my heart to ram against my chest harder.

“I have never troubled myself with humanity’s absurd behaviors.” The corner of his lips twitched higher, and he leaned forward, bare body on full display. “But I find you fascinating,” he murmured, sweet breath brushing against my cheek. “How you sway toward me, how you watch me. Your jealousy.”

I rocked forward, called forth by the magnetism of his presence, of his ethereal beauty.

And it made me angrier.

“You are full of yourself, Cassiel Draven,” I spat, his name spilling from my lips with ease.

A terrifying stillness fell over him.

I had made a grave mistake. Ice flooded my veins.

He straightened in a slow rise, lacking any human expression.

My mouth snapped shut a beat too late. I had taken it too far. Renata made it clear not to say his name.

“You dare?” he hissed. “You are nothing but a body to be used.” His voice reverberated through me. Dread rendered me immobile. “Nothing but a Vessel for my bondmate. I would have struck you dead if not for that.”

The threat landed, and I flinched. Still, I could not speak or beg for forgiveness. Words refused to push past the sludge clinging to my thoughts.

“I suppose I have not made your position here clear.”

He took hold of my nape so quickly that I had no chance to run.

“My lord,” I started, but the grip on the back of my neck tightened until I cried out.

He shoved me to my knees. I fell with a cry, the force racking through my bones. Tears stung my eyes. His grip moved to the top of my head, bunching my hair to the point of pain, and he pushed me forward. My mouth parted to the invasion of his member.

Silky flesh grazed my teeth, but instead of retreating, he thrust in.

Relax your jaw!