“That’s what we want, isn’t it?” I was surprised Arabella spoke up, and she looked as if she surprised herself by speaking out of turn. “I’m sorry, Master Abbott. I don’t know what came over me. I apologize.”
“You’re perfectly in your right to join the conversation, dear Arabella.” Abbott’s voice was kind. Gentle. “We’re talking about a possible foursome, where you will be one-fourth. You have a right to decide whether to be part of it or not. Once you decide, you won’t have much say in how things are handled within it, so youmustspeak up while you’re agreeing to be part of it.”
“I just want Ajax and Gwen and Kieran. I want to take care of them, and have them take care of me. I want us all to be happy.”
“That’s it?” Gavin asked. “No stipulations about what they can whip you with, or whether you’ll ever get another orgasm?”
She stared at him a few seconds before slowly shaking her head. “No, Sir. They’ll know what I need. Those things aren’t for me to decide.”
He sat back and crossed his legs. “Sophia is never going to let her enter into this.”
“That remains to be seen,” Abbott told him. “My guess is she’ll talk to the swanling, and perhaps have Kirsten sit in on the talks so she has another point of view before reaching a decision.” He leaned forward and addressed Arabella directly. “Dear, I like the fact you know what you want. Keep speaking upfor yourself, even if it’s to assert something the people listening don’t understand. The only person who can tell others what you want isyou. I can look in your head and get a good idea of what makes you tick, but I’m not you.”
“Thank you, Master Abbott. It feels as if you’ve given me permission. It’s...” She took a second to come up with the right word, and finally said, “freeing. It’s freeing. Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.” He turned to Kieran. “Josef is going to take your wolf into the jail cell on the lowest level for a few hours. Would it be okay for Gavin and me to take your swan to the dungeon on this level?”
I started to protest, but Gwen beat me to it. “Not Gavin. No.”
Gavin chuckled. “I don’t know what ya’ll think I’m going to do. It isn’t like I’m the big bad wolf or anything.”
Josef stood and motioned for me to follow him. I stood as well, but I needed to speak my mind before I left. I met Kieran’s gaze, then Abbott’s. “If she’s traumatized, I’ll pack her up and leave with her. I’ll make sure she goes back to Sophia so she’ll never be hurt in a bad way again.”
* * * *
Arabella
Ajax left before Abbott could respond. I was afraid for him, because no one dares speak to the Master Vampire that way, but I could’ve sworn all three of our visitorsgrinned.
Josef followed Ajax out, and Abbott looked to Kieran to ask, “And your answer?”
A muscle in his jaw clenched. “My wife and companion voiced my opinion quite well.”
Abbott smiled, and it wasn’t my imagination. “I’m sure she’ll do fine here, and I’ll let Sophia know my decision. The three of you stood up to me on her behalf. You passed the test.” He stoodand walked to an empty sofa. “With that being said, I’d like a taste of the little swanling. No sex. Just blood.”
He met my gaze as he sat in the center of the sofa. “Come sit in my lap, little swan. I’ll make it good for you.”
I’ve fed Master Abbott before, but never with an audience. Still, I stood and walked to him and tried not to smell nervous. I sensed Gavin’s hunger, and I looked up to him. It seemed wrong to make him watch his Master eat while he hungered.
“You’re hungry. I have enough for you both.”
Abbott touched my cheek. “You’re braver than you know, little swan. Kindhearted and brave. Don’t ever let anyone call you weak.”
I ducked my head in embarrassment, but he lifted my chin. “Brave young women don’t look down; they hold their chin up and accept compliments.”
There was no way to respond to that, so I chose to address Gavin. I looked up and met his gaze. “I would be honored to feed you as well. Either at the same time, or separately.”
“I have a better idea,” Abbott said. “I sense four vampires who haven’t fed this evening. Let’s spread you out on the dining room table and each take a limb. Would that work for you, little swan?”
I don’t like having to tell people what I want, or what I like. “I’m here to serve, Master Abbott. However you wish me, I’m yours.”
He sighed. “The perfect answer from a slave, but your Queen says you aren’t to be treated as a slave.”
“She says I can be a sex toy, and for a vampire, that can mean food in creative ways.” I took a breath and gave him an answer I thought he’d accept. “I look forward to feeding all four of you at once. Would you prefer me clothed or nude, Master Abbott?”
“I’ll leave that decision up to Kieran.”
“Nude,” Kieran said from behind me. “And we’ll all use anesthetizer to keep our fangs from hurting you. I’m going to ask Abbott to give you pure bliss, and Gavin to give you pain. Gwen and I will both give you a nice orgasm cocktail. I can’t wait to taste your blood once everything circulates.” He stood. “I would’ve chosen the bondage table, but we can use our vampire powers to hold her in place on the dining room table. She’s our meal, so it seems fitting.”
