“Dommik.” Our eyes locked. He was in focus, but the scene behind him blurred. “You have to forget me.”
Darkness won. I fell forward off the table and the last thing I remember is muscle and leather wrapping around me before I hit the floor.
Chapter 20
New Normal
Seven nights of tutelage from Oddo and four nights training with a seemingly reformed Dommik, mentally and physically drained me. I deserved a night off. The toll of the Hive’s expectations were counterbalanced by evenings of thoughtful gestures from Rhazien. And tonight, he swore this evening’s surprise would be my favorite of them all.
I wasn’t sure how he would top the stunning thoroughbred mare he’d gifted me three nights prior. When I saw the animal, my eyes welled with tears. It was like he’d resurrected my childhood horse, Biscuit. What Rhazien didn’t know was that Biscuit had thrown me more than once and was the most fear-inducing mare I’d ever owned. But the thoughtfulness had stunned me into a silence so concerning to Rhazien, he apologized for misstepping. I assured him, this was my favorite gift I could ever receive and thanked him vigorously with my body once we’d retired to my chambers. I just hoped I could conjure enough bravery to ride her.
Now, I gave him my full trust and marched blindfolded over uneven landscape outside the grounds of the Hive. The regent at my back, holding my shoulders, guided me forward.
“How much farther?” I laughed, nearly stumbling over the folds of my gown.
“Just about there,” he coached, his breath hot against the shell of my ear.
I stopped abruptly. “Oof,” he grunted, catching me as I ricocheted off his frame. A folly of my own making.
We both laughed until he said, “You mischievous creature.” He squeezed my arms and pressed his lips into the nape of my neck. I sighed at the sensation. He dragged a fang across the exposed skin, a teasing motion he’d become a fan of.
I had never thought I would come around to the idea of him feeding on me, but he was caring and kind to me in all ways a partner could be. And with how generous he’d been, sex didn’t feel like an even exchange, considering the nature of his being. But he refused to feed from me, and withholding the experience only made me that much more curious.
He held me there, his hard length pressing into my lower back. I stretched my neck to the side, encouraging him.
“Do it,” I prompted, my heartbeat thundering.
“You’re tenacious, Reyva.” His hands pushed my arms down until his fingers wrapped themselves into mine. Every sensation heightened from my absence of sight.
He wrapped our arms into a hug, his full frame pressed into my back, before gently kissing the same spot he’d teased. “Not yet.”
“Then when?” I groaned.
“We’ve talked about this,” he grumbled into my hairline. “You know why we’re waiting.”
I rolled my eyes beneath my blindfold, recalling his explanation—blood is sustenance and it’s sacred. That my blood specifically, due to my abilities, is especially potent and addictive. And finally, because I needed to remain unbitten to wake Lorana.
“Right. I must remain unbitten for the ceremony.” I huffed. From standing on the execution stage to living—somewhat harmoniously—within the Hive and pouting like a young maid whenRhazien didn’t feed on me, I’d come far in the last few weeks.
There were few stones unturned for us after our consecutive evenings together. My things were still separated from his, but he stayed in my chambers without fail ever since my horrific experience with the shade, just as I had requested.
My affection for Rhazien grew daily. We shared whispered stories over pillows when we curled up in each other, bringing us closer each night.
“Exactly, my jewel.” Rhazien squeezed me once more and nudged me forward again. He whispered a promise that it was just ahead of us. Whateveritwas.
I obeyed Rhazien’s instructions to wait and listened to his footsteps crunch away from me.
I pulled my cloak tight around me, covering the small snowflakes melting against my skin. Day by day, autumn retreated from winter’s threatening approach. Soon, there would be heavy snow, and the evenings would outlast the days. A time of year the vampires longed for and celebrated.
“Ready,” Rhazien called from his position and I tore at my blindfold.
The material fell away from my face, revealing first, the sight of Rhazien’s palpable excitement and second, glowing torches. The lights lined a newly constructed, waist-high stone barrier. Rhazien opened the decorative iron gate, complete with his rose sigil, and gestured for me to enter.
I stepped forward and a sly smile stretched across my face as I asked, “What’s all this, Majesty?”
“Another attempt at making you feel at home here.” He ushered me beyond the gate and I clasped my hands over my mouth once I’d realized what he’d done.
He…he built me a garden. Raised beds matching the stone barrier were constructed in neat rows of various sizes, creating a symmetrical, geometric design. Pebbles surrounded stepping stones between the planters. And at the opposite end of the garden was a small structure only large enough for a workbench and supply storage.
