Her lips covered his thumb, her tongue flicking against the open wound. Her lashes lowered; she didn’t see him release a shudder as he closed his eyes. He wanted to whisper her name like a prayer, as she sucked on his thumb. The sensation lingered between somewhat innocent and seductive. She opened her mouth giving the wound one more lick before she drew back.
“Is that all,” she asked tracing her bottom lip with her tongue.
“No, there is more.” He said, pulling his hand from hers, he took a step up. “But that can wait. For now, go to your room.”
Pulling back, she took a step up, an unreadable look on her face. “Okay, then see you later.”
With that, she turned and made her way up the steps.
He watched her go, the way her body glided had him trailing his eyes down her long legs to her bare feet. He frowned, only to curse his own forgetfulness. She’d entered the study without shoes, so obviously she’d gone to the apartment the same way. Now there were scratches covering her feet.
His blood should increase her healing capability, but he wasn’t going to depend only on the healing ability of it. He turned away, going in search of the med box that the servants kept somewhere since they were human. Walking away from the steps he enjoyed the feeling of security he gained with them now being tied together through his blood.
He would be able to find her no matter where she went. For her safety, as well as for his sanity. When his son had telepathically given him the experience of what had happened, violence had nearly engulfed him.
Yet, if he went to handle the demons himself. He’d have lost control and even though Lanias seemed perfectly fine with him and the little bit of past she knew about. He wasn’t comfortable with her seeing his true face yet.
While Lanias was a Witch he was still hesitant to be open in fullness to her. Fearing the reaction once she discovered just how deep the rabbit hole was.
LANIAS
Entering her room Lanias made a beeline for her bed. She spun around and fell backwards, landing on the bed she closed her eyes and tasted the copper left in her mouth.
Safe.
The taste of blood on her tongue made her feel safe.
How long had it been since she’d last felt that way?
The worry of betrayal had always kept her from trusting those around her. The idea of safety was so foreign that it made her nervous to even think about depending on someone.
And that was what she was doing when she accepted Alek’s bond. She had accepted his help now, and with it, his protection. Lanias told herself it was for the greater good. Maybe that was true. Or maybe she was just tired of doing everything alone.
Her guilt, her secrets and her occasional pangs of resentment.
Why did she have to be the one who suffered all these things?
Just as her mind started turning to resentment, she remembered the face of her grandmother. There had been a look of acceptance and woe in her grandmother’s eyes as she slid from the spike thrust through her stomach.
Lifting her hand, she watched the tendrils of black light slip from her skin. If she’d had this power at that time she could have helped them. Letting the magic fade, she clenched her hand before bringing it down and rubbing her knuckles against her forehead.
She needed to brush her teeth, and shower but her eyes closed and before she knew it, she was asleep.
Her soft snores filling the room.
ALEK
And that’s how Alek found her. Asleep upon the still-made bed. Lanias changed clothes or bothered to get under the covers. She was curled up, her lips parted as she breathed evenly. He placedthe box on the side table near the bed, then he sat next to her and watched her sleep. She looked so exhausted. Reaching out he moved some pieces of her hair from her face and leaning down he pressed his lips to her forehead.
Letting his forehead settle there, he braced himself holding his body up. He closed his eyes saying a small prayer before rising. As he reached out to touch her the mark on the back of his hand began to animate. It morphed into two parts, once divided one half traveled from his hand to her skin.
He watched silently as it coursed all over her body before it settled over her heart.
The process had begun.
The way a Noble Vampire chose their queen was simple in the regards that they knew who was meant for them upon meeting only once. The others would swear that it wasn’t so, but the time before and now had been the same.
He’d recognized the one for him on sight.
