Is he going to bite?
I must remain in control.
“You said that you wanted to earn my forgiveness and trust, bat,” I taunt. “Is this how you do it? By accusing me? Taking my blood by force? Didn’t you swear to protect me?”
Lanlin pulls back from me, shaking with the bone-deep frustration of a blood addict. “We made a deal. On the Void, you swore to be my Blood Lover. Did you let someone else bite you? That is a betrayal to a vampire.”
I shutter my expression, trying not to show the memory of Aurelius’ fangs grazing the same bite, on which Lanlin is now resting his soft lips.
Lanlin’s dark gaze settles on me like he’s desperate to devour me.
I struggle to raise my wrist to my own sharp teeth, before I bite hard enough to break the skin.
Blood seeps out, wasted, dying the ivory linen scarlet.
Lanlin lets out a shocked gasp. “Dove, do not hurt yourself.”
I let my torn wrist drop to the bedding.
Lanlin takes frantic, barely controlled breaths, tracking the movement, unable to look away.
I’m not above using distraction techniques to protect Freya and myself.
Blood is a vampire’s strength, but it is also their weakness.
“Haven’t Shadow Vampires always wanted to conquer and possess us fae because of our blood?” My expression grows cold. “Ambrosia, the food of the gods because wearegods. What Iwant to know, however, is what happens if you don’t get your hit? Denial heightens pleasure, aye?”
I take Lanlin by surprise, rolling out from underneath him, while his gaze is focused on my bleeding wrist.
I chuckle, wickedly.
Then I crouch like a cat lit by the ghostly light of the moths.
Lanlin growls, twisting to me. “Do you know how rancid other blood now tastes? I tried some just to take away the hunger pains, but it made me vomit. I can’t stand this. You have no idea the desperation I am battling to devour you.”
“Don’t I? You only want my body. My blood. That is nothing to you, aye?”
He looks shocked. “On my fangs, have I given such a false impression? This connection between us is special. It is not one of master and thrall but of two equals. Two hearts, beating as one.”
“But I’m not your bride. I can be sent away to the Blood Lover’s Guild like before.”
Lanlin’s expression gentles. “It is my shame that I have not reassured you that you’re now a part of this royal nest. I will never send you away again. If that is not enough to help you trust me, however, then let us marry our Omega together. You will both reign as King and Queen of the House of Sin.”
My mouth dries. “Don’t say that if you don’t mean it.”
He blinks, confused. “Why would I not mean it? A Shadow Vampire only has one bonded Omega in their long life. Freya is mine, but she is also your soulmate. Possessive as I am, I have room in this nest for a Blood Lover who is also my King.”
I swallow, dropping my gaze.
Both Aurelius and Lanlin have now offered me a place in their separate packs as their King.
I should be filled with joy.
Yet I am a king in my own right:King Daire.
And if Lanlin discovers that, then he won’t marry me, he will bury me.
Unfortunately, he takes my reaction as hesitation.
