He scoffed. The blood scolded me for taunting him and I dipped my head, whispering to the bubbles, “He denies it.”
He folded his arms over his broad chest, a curious delight twinkling in his steely eyes. “Why do you think that?”
I sat up, letting my breasts emerge from the water. His stance went rigid and his nostrils flared, but Dommik’s eyes never left mine, never descended to take in my exposed, peaked nipples.
He searched my gaze for something. Permission, maybe.
“I left a gift on your bed,” he said as he turned to leave. “I’ll come to collect you tomorrow evening after the bells. Say aprayerfor me, Lady Bergmont.”
I splashed water in his direction and he chuckled as he exited my room.
“Deviant,” I cursed under my breath after the door shut behind him.
Rhazien’s blood purred beneath my skin at the idea of touchingmyself, enticing my desires. I rolled my nipple between my fingers and slid my opposite hand beneath the lavender-scented water to press against the sensitive bud of nerves.
My imagination conjured images of Dommik beneath my skirts in the abandoned dining room. Teasing, licking, savoring. I matched my strokes to fit the fictional scene.
I plunged one finger, then two, inside of me as I pictured discarded leather getting soaked by splashing water as his length filled me again and again.
“Come for me, Reyva,”his phantom purred.
Then, the blood called forward a second voice.
“Come for me, Reyva.”
Rough and commanding.
I obeyed Rhazien.
The faces, sounds, and feelings of the two men intertwined as the pleasure built. Stars blinked across my vision as I erupted and I covered my mouth to stifle the sounds of the overpowering release.
Yes. I could understand how someone could become addicted to the blood.
As promised, Alba had delivered a meal. In nothing but my towel, I enjoyed chicken smothered in some kind of gravy, a small pile of vegetables, and the most buttery biscuit I’d ever tasted.
Satisfied and satiated, the call of sleep became too strong. I walked past the unopened gifts to the bedroom where I found a sleeping gown laid out next to a familiar item.
I gasped at Dommik’s gift.
I nestled under the luxurious covers withThe Forest and The Flamecradled to my chest.
Chapter 11
Vampire Lessons
“You’ll be expected to dress and act as an extension of His Majesty.” Gorvin’s long robes swooshed the ornate golden pattern at his ankles with each balanced stride.
Dommik followed behind us wearing his typical leathers. No wonder his musk reeked of it; it was all he seemed to wear.
“If another vampire comes into contact with you, it must be within the presence of and with the explicit permission of the regent. Understood?” Gorvin gave a sharp side eye to the Commander.
I had only just arrived at the Hive the night prior and was already expected to have adopted the customs of a vampire court. I’d often felt like an imposter amongst high-born nobles of the Illica court. I would do now what I’d done then—observe, adapt, and hope I don’t break any unforgivable rules. The Hive couldn't be that different, could it?
I was teeming with unanswered questions. But between what I could only assume was a blood-hangover and the adjustment to a nocturnal lifestyle, I wasn’t operating with my normal faculties.
“What if…” My question trailed—he probably wasn’t the person to ask.
Gorvin stilled and faced me. “My lady?”
