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There. That’s better.
And now that the room isn’t doing cartwheels, my mind goes right back to Vlad.
That vampire took something from me. Something I’d promised to only Gael.
Gael. I clutch my aching chest as memories of our first kiss flood my mind.
“Nothing you don’t want,sha-ræ. And only when you’re ready.” He brushes an errant strand from my face, tucking it gently behind my ear. And that simple touch quickens my heart.
“I’m ready.”
Gael’s beautiful, clear eyes light up with his smile.
He takes his time, leaning in slowly, giving me every chance to change my mind. The first brush of his lips is tentative and soft, barely any contact at all.
He pulls away, only a few inches, and asks again. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” I breathe.
He slides a hand to the back of my head and grips my hair before crashing into me.
His lips tease, soft and sweet, as he parts mine. His warmth and fresh scent overwhelm my senses, and when he lets his tongue sweep across mine, starlight explodes behind my eyes.
Excitement builds in my lower belly, and a small noise tumbles out of my mouth, spurring Gael on. He backs me against the weary willow tree we took our soul-bond oath under. The nightbird’s song rises, seeming to crescendo with our passion. I grab Gael’s shirt, pulling him closer, letting myself finally feel the body I’ve been lusting after.
Another noise I can’t control rises in my throat, and Gael pulls away. “Are you OK?”
“Yes.” I’m breathless, my cheeks are hot, and my heart races.
“Do you want to stop?”
Every step of the way, Gael checked to make sure I still wanted it. It was the perfect first kiss for me.
Whether that vampire intended to, whether he knew what he was doing, whether my body responded, he still took it without my say.
And though I know it’s irrational, I blame myself for agreeing to let him have my blood.
Distantly, I register my tablet vibrating in my bag and ignore it.
I’d been so careful. I was making progress with the house heads and even figured out a new way to control my mouth. But how could I forget a vampire would know?
More buzzing from my bag. Then, not so distantly, knocking.
I press a pillow to my ears and try not to think as my eyes sting with tears.
Vlad’s dead black eyes stare at me from behind my eyes.
The knocking grows louder until the pillow can’t muffle it. Knocking turns to thumping and that turns to splitting wood as the door frame cracks and splinters.
Through a cracked eye, four heirs stand in front of me, back lit by the hall light. Just like when I first arrived.
“What happened? Where were you?” Axe is the first to come forward, kneeling beside me. His face is twisted with worry. Anger sears the night sky of his eyes.
I try to behave the way I would normally, sitting upright and plastering an annoyed expression on my tear-streaked face. “What are you doing in my room? And was it so important you needed to break the door?”
The words are right, but my voice seems hollow in my ear.
To Enzo’s as well. He kneels by my other side, looking up at me. “You don’t fool us, Dove. Don’t put on your brave face.”
