Page 46 of Blood & Bedlam

I keep my expression cool, tilt my head, a little confused. “Apologies. You must be mistaken.”

His gaze pins me in place, a smug little smile on his lips. Before I can make an excuse to get away, he leans in and inhales deeply, ramping up the creep factor by about a thousand.

“Perhaps not completely, not yet, but soon … Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” He taps the side of his nose twice, then steps back with a shallow bow. “It was lovely to meet you, Reine. I’m sure we will meet again.” The way he says my name, savors it around his mouth before releasing it, makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, enough that it alerts Vladimir. In moments he’s by my side, discreetly placing me behind him as he exchanges pleasantries with the man.

My head starts to spin, the pounding in my skull a constant droll and I think, again, that I’m going to be sick. I suck in a deep breath, inhaling the cologne and natural scent that surrounds Vlad, and feel my body start to level out. He eyes me with concern, but I wave him off as the girls make their way to us, elated and relieved that Cami is the victor. Kendra reminds us that we have a ball to get ready for, the final event before diplomats and dignitaries take their leave of New Orleans, but I can’t get lost in her enthusiasm.

How did he know my name?

I listen and laugh as best I can, not wanting to shit on the little moment of happiness between us all, but there is a sinking feeling that I just can’t shake. We won, and the Italians will be gone tomorrow, back to their land. Camille is alive, we are safe, my memories are returning … so why does it feel like we’re standing in the eye of a hurricane waiting on the other wall to hit us?

Vladimir

CHAPTER 24

“You look stunning.”

I press the words against the hollow of Reine’s throat, relishing in the vision she is. Her long, raven hair is curled and styled high on her head with whisps of loose ringlets artfully framing her face, the smoky makeup around her eyes a stunning contrast to the crystalline hues of blues that dance there, the darker lipstick on her lips inviting. Her scent engulfs me. The warmth of her blood nearly fully Bonded to mine has changed it, notes of earth and lavender dancing together in a beautiful medley that has me aching for her.

She appraises herself in the mirror, runs her hands over the crimson fabric of the boned corset Kendra sent for her, and I’m reminded of that fateful night where our worlds collided. She gives me a small smile in the mirror, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Since the trial this morning, there’s been an uneasiness in her movements. Even now she looks lost in thought, bolts of worry and anxiety slipping through the Bond. I band my arms around her torso and bring her tight to me, squeezing gently.

“What’s wrong, my star?” I ask, rubbing my hands gently over her arms. The corset is tight on her, pressing her chest high, cinching in her waist, but it’s the swaths of loose fabric pooling around her hips, the slit clean up her thigh, that has me nearly groaning against her.

“Who was that man that came up to me at the trial?” she asks, referring to the dark-haired witch I’d seen touch her. It had taken every ounce of control I had not to tear that hand from his body, but starting another international incident after just resolving one seemed foolish, even for me.

“A witch, from the smell of him. Why, did he do something to you?” The words end on a growl as the beast inside riles up. I turn her in my arms and bring her face up to mine, searching her pale eyes.

“No. He just … stared. Smelled me, maybe? He asked if we were Bonded.” Reine shakes her head, confusion crinkling her brow, before continuing. “He creeped me the fuck out.” She shudders.

“He wouldn’t have been able to smell our Bond, Reine. Odds are, he was guessing. The word has gotten out. They’ve seen you at my side,” I placate, but internally I’m plotting ways to rip his lungs from his chest for having the nerve to inhale her scent. To make her uncomfortable. It makes me want to take her right now, in front of this mirror. To watch her body welcome me from all angles, with her blood on my tongue and my flesh between her teeth. My cock swells at the thought, pressing against her stomach through our clothes.

“Easy. We’re going to be late if we start this here,” she teases, pressing up on her toes to offer her lips to me. They’re pillowy soft and delicate against mine, and I have to lasso my beast to keep this kiss from deepening to something more primal or we won’t make it out the door. She lowers down, her lipstick slightly smeared, and I love her a little messy like this. A little wild. I brush my finger along her lip line with slight pressure to tidy her up.

“It’s time to go!” Kendra calls, catching my ear from below. Reine hasn’t heard. She’s still looking up at me through her dark eyelashes, ones that kiss over her cheeks in delicate arcs with every blink of her eyes.

“We’re being summoned,” I whisper, cocking my head to the side. She smiles then, more genuine than before, as I scoop up the ornate mask from the velvet lined box. I give my fingers a twirl and Reine spins immediately, waiting. It makes my cock throb even more, how seductive she is in her submission, how incredible her ass looks wrapped in all that red silk.

I lift the red half mask to her face by the black ribbon, taking care to settle it over her eyes. The dusk sends fractals of light dancing over the rubies encrusted there, and I’m struck like a moth to flame. My hands move slowly, deliberately, tying the silk strap snugly to the back of her head. I pull my own mask down from where it sits on my crown, the simple black satin elegant and plain compared to hers, but when I look at us both in the mirror, I see how beautifully we complement each other.

Two parts that were always meant to be one.

“Vlad?” She says my name on a breathy huff, and I can feel how much she’s enjoying the view herself.

“Yes, my star?”

“The mask thing with this tux is definitely doing it for me. I’m going to need you to wear it later … for artistic purposes.”

Fates alive, what’s ten more minutes?

My hands fall to either side of her waist, digging into the fabric covering her full hips, and drag her back against me. An approving hum leaves her lips, and it may as well be a siren song battering against me.

“If you want me to wear a mask while I fuck you, you need only ask, my star. Any desire—every desire—it’s yours.” My teeth scrape over the shell of her ear. The thump of her beating heart gallops between us, and I hear my own racing to catch hers.

“VLADIMIR!” Kendra shouts, loud enough to make Reine jump, breaking the tension of the moment. Her hand flies to her mouth, her neck and chest flushed, but the smile on her face is intoxicating and I can’t stop grinning myself.

“Shall we?” I step back and offer my hand. She’s a little anxious about attending another masquerade so soon after her ordeal and it’s more than understandable, but those feelings quickly fade into excitement and joy as we descend the staircase and join our family in the foyer. The sun has dropped beyond the horizon, the purple hues of dusk arriving right on time. The black stretch car is packed with our kin, with swathes of exotic fabrics and bright colors. I sit back with my arm flung over Reine, watch how she interacts with my girls, how they’ve all welcomed her as one of their own.

My eyes find Camille. Poised and elegant, shoulders back, not a hair out of place. Regal and refined, with drop rubies dangling from her ears and the red of her lips the only color on her person.