The Blood Bride (Blood Secrets)

by Nix, Imogene

  “No.”

  “Oh come on, Xavier. I haven’t been upstairs in nearly two weeks. If I can’t go up, they can come down.” She wheedled, but he was unbending. His face could have been cast in granite.

  “No, they are not allowed into this area. They have never been. Not even for you will I allow it.” He didn’t face her.

  She slumped against the pillows. “Xavier? I need to see them.” She sighed the words, looking away briefly.

  “I can’t allow that, Hope.”

  Frustration like a burning tide swept through her. “So, I’m to stay here, like a prisoner in a gilded cage? For how long? Until I die? What if I don’t want to stay?” Her own voice turned cold. She watched as he made his way towards the door. “Xavier? When? When will you let me go?”

  “I can’t, Hope. Don’t expect me to give you an answer to that. I can’t.” He had reached the door and gripped the wood edging tightly.

  “Can’t or won’t? I won’t stay in hiding forever. Don’t expect me to either.” She gripped a pillow and threw it, seeking a way to relieve her feelings of anger. The frothy pillow bounced and rolled off the end of the bed to the floor in silence. She looked at it. What was she doing?

  “Feel better now?” His mild voice broke through the silence.

  “No. I don’t.” She hung her head, feeling shame at her childish behaviour, but the pressure inside her needed to escape before it choked the life from her. “I need to know what has happened. Please?” Tears pricked her eyes. Why was he being so obstinate? “I need to find out what has changed. Why my father reacted like he did.” She gulped as emotions almost overwhelmed her. “Why my mother hasn’t made an effort to contact me. Can’t you see? It’s tearing me apart.” The tears trickled down her face, a hot wet river. Her chest heaved with the effort of containing her emotions, as she wrapped shaking arms around herself.

  He turned around, hiding his eyes behind closed lids. She could tell her pain was hurting him too. “I can’t allow that. Having Lisi and Emily is pretty close to breaking the rules. Catriona is taking Emily to the safe room tonight, for the change, so that will no longer be an issue, but I can’t bend the rules any further. I had to get a dispensation for those two.” His voice was strained, and when his eyes opened, the green in them was tired and pale. “I may be the Master, but I have to abide by the rules too. If I could do what you wanted, I would.” He sounded beaten. The lines that bracketed his mouth told her of his struggles. The ones she had missed, feeling miserable and sorry for herself. He was suffering too.

  “Xavier? I’m sorry… I didn’t realise.” Hope squeezed her eyelids shut, lifted her hands and scrubbed, but the tears ran down her face still, shattering her brittle composure and her face flamed.

  She was so hurt, confused, desperately in need of reassurance. For weeks she had been accepting of the soft touches invalids received. But she needed more. Not sexual, but reassuring and reaffirming.

  The dip of the bed told her he had returned to her side. Strong arms encircled her, and she slowly let the tears flow. “Why? Why don’t they want me? I mean, they weren’t demonstrative or emotional or anything like that, but never cold like this. I mean, even when they were cross with me as a child, they made sure I knew they loved me. I don’t understand. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong.” Her words were muffled against his shoulder, as the shudders racked her body.

  “I don’t know either. There is so much more to this than meets the eye, but I know this is something we need to look into.” His kissed her on the top of her head, rubbing soft hands over her back. “Right now, you need to know that this isn’t about you. I can assure you that you aren’t unlovable and that it isn’t anything you’ve done. You’ve done nothing wrong. It isn’t your fault, and we will get through this.” He whispered the words against her hair, his arms tight around her, holding her close against his bare chest.

  She inhaled the scent of him, it filled her senses. She opened her mouth over his skin, allowing her tongue to peek out and take a quick taste.

  He sucked in a breath. “Honey, if you keep doing that, I’m going to want to go all the way. And that might hurt you. So, maybe now isn’t a good time. Right?” He started to pull away, and she could see the erection tenting his pants.

  “You won’t hurt me. We can be careful,” she pleaded, but he pushed her farther away, making his point firmly.

  “I’ll tell you what. When the doctor gives the all-clear, I’m yours.” He smiled at her.

  His eyes glittered and those sexy lips of his curled at the corner. A flicker of flames licked at her belly. The doctor is here today, so just you wait! She let the thoughts fill her with anticipation, but didn’t say anything. Just smiled and he looked at her. Suspicion was clear in his eyes, as she grinned wider. Just wait.

  * * * *

  “Now then, young lady. You seem to be healing quite well. Have you been getting around, using either crutches or a cane? You are young and healthy enough.” As Hope nodded, he continued. “Master Xavier is also hoping to arrange for a trained physiotherapist for you. I know of one attached to a friendly nest. I will pass it by your Master, and we can go from there. Though in the period your nest is in shutdown, they may prefer to consult via the Internet. Any questions?” The doctor started packing away his torture equipment, and wasn’t looking at her. Hope considered that a good thing as her face turned red.

  “Yes, doctor. There is something I need to ask. Umm… Is my leg well enough to stand up to…you know…activities of a personal nature?” God, how embarrassing this was. At least she didn’t have to worry about birth control. Her face reddened at the thought of what they had done, and how regularly before the incident. But until she had something in writing for Xavier, he wouldn’t countenance a return to the intimacy they had shared beforehand.

  “What? Oh, well as long as you are careful. No hanging from the chandeliers, of course, but with appropriate care, yes, that should be fine.” He looked at her, and she wanted to shrink into the sheets. His face glowed with interest, and she could almost hear the questions bouncing around in his head.

  “Umm… Can I have that in writing?” Her voice was little more than a whisper now, and he smiled. He had to be at least sixty and with a shock of white hair. It’s like talking to my grandfather, she thought. Except hers would have been horrified in this instance, Hope reminded herself. The doctor continued to look, and her face flamed. The longer he watched her, the broader his grin was. All Hope wanted was to find a crack in the floor to crawl into.

  “Yes, of course.” He pulled a notepad and a pencil out of his long jacket, licked the end and started writing. “Whom shall I address this to?”

  A twinkle shone in his eyes, and Hope felt like a naughty teen caught doing something she shouldn’t. She had to stop her body squirming.

  “Err… Just ‘to whom it may concern’ would be great, thanks.” Hope watched as he finished the note, and handed it over to her. She grabbed it quickly, and shoved it into the drawer beside the bed. “Thanks so much. When should I see you again?”

  The conversation retreated to neutral topics, and she felt some of her embarrassment starting to ebb away. He took his leave, the door shutting quietly behind him. She scowled.

  That had been an ordeal, but at least she had got the note, which she retrieved from the drawer, scanning it quickly.

  To whom it may concern,

  Miss Hope is now well enough to resume an intimate relationship. However, it is my opinion it should be neither physically taxing nor uncomfortable.

  Swallowing a strangled gasp at the humour, she held it tightly in her hand, before rising as carefully as the bright cast would let her. She was attempting to make her way to the bathroom—a slow and steady task—when Xavier opened the door and entered silently.

  “What are you doing out of bed?” His demand was tempered only by his smile.

  Once more she got the flutter of butterflies deep in her belly.

  “Going to the t
oilet. I think I can manage that on my own these days.” Hope’s grumble was met with a small chuckle, as he reached out a hand. She looked at him, then into his eyes. He must have seen something in her eyes that told him she needed this small bit of independence, and withdrew the hand slowly, letting it drop. Hope let go of the breath she hadn’t realised she was holding, before continuing her painful hobble past him, reaching from one piece of furniture to the wall, and slowly towards the door.

  Just as she reached it, Hope turned and held out a hand, the one holding the missive. “Here, you may want to read this.” He took the paper from Hope’s hand with a quizzical look, and she moved again, shutting the door behind her.

  * * * *

  Everyone was finally gone and the lounge was quiet. Hope was tired, but happy. She was moving around, with the crutches firmly under her arms. When they’d first arrived, her steps had caused mirth and merriment among all watching, but she was now used to them and could manoeuvre smoothly around the room. Each time Xavier looked at her, the heat in his eyes stole another little bit of her heart.

  Dinner had been silent. For Hope, it had consisted of grilled chicken with assorted vegetables, followed by chocolate mousse to celebrate her all-clear from the doctor, but her appetite had been non-existent, and she had sipped on the water Xavier kept pushing her way. She would have preferred a nice white wine, but the one time she had suggested it, she had been met with a short ‘no’. She didn’t ask again, knowing he was concerned she would fall and reinjure herself. Something she wanted to avoid as well..

  Xavier had sipped his blood wine slowly while Hope ate. His eyes practically glowed and the heat grew inside her belly. She was sure he was mentally undressing her, and she warmed at the thought. His gaze dipped down into the valley between her breasts, displayed in the hot pink camisole he had ordered for her, and she watched his eyes as they travelled over her body, feeling a tingle as her nipples tightened with awareness. Only one word described how he looked at her—hungrily.

  Finally Hope pushed the plate away. The mousse was hardly touched, but she couldn’t manage any more. She hadn’t tasted any of the flavours she usually savoured. No. All she had done was watch Xavier gazing at her, becoming more and more aroused. Each time her lips closed around the spoon, his eyes had darkened further, a flush cresting his cheeks, and she knew his thoughts.

  She squirmed, wanting to run a hand under the band at her neckline. Sometime in the last while, it had grown tighter, and she felt choked by it. A single trickle of sweat moved down her spine. She shivered, and it cooled her fevered skin.

  She gathered the crutches near, popping them under her arms, and pushed herself up. Xavier was there, pulling out the chair, steadying her as she positioned herself. He splayed his hand against her belly. Her flesh quivered in response.

  “Xavier…” The words died on her lips, as his found the back of her neck. She leant forward slightly, while he slowly inched his fingers across her stomach, over the silky fabric, where they sought entry to her flesh.

  The shock of his touch against her skin caused her to quake. Hope arched back slightly, nearly losing her balance with the crutches. He disentangled himself before scooping under her body. The crutches fell to the ground, forgotten with a thud.

  “Xavier.” She moaned, as his lips found the sensitive skin at her throat. The bed gave slightly underneath her, as he slid down with her to the covers. The touch of his hands—his touch—inflamed the desire that had been licking at her since the doctor had left.

  “Tell me how to love you. Tell me what you want.” His guttural words filled the air.

  She reached out blindly. “Just love me, Xavier. That is all I want.” Her eyes fluttered closed. He settled his hand around her breast, softly kneading the flesh, but not touching her distended nipple, even through the light cover of her top. She ached inside, and only Xavier could fill the need that rippled through her.

  He placed warm hands under the waistband of her shirt, working on the elastic. She shivered in reaction, lost in the sensual web he wove.

  He found the indentation at her waist and flicked in and out of her navel, while the other hand slowly pushed the shirt out of the way. Up, up, up it crept. He sought the band of her bra. The one that wasn’t there.

  “You didn’t wear a bra tonight, did you? Each time I looked at you, I burned at the thought of your beautiful breasts hidden below the silk, but no bra to get in the way is very sexy. Did you wear the panties I bought for you, though?” His tone was harsh, and she cracked her eyes open to see his face, set with need.

  “I…ah…had Lisi go shopping for me. I…” He touched and tortured her flesh, as she tried to answer him. Thoughts fled as he pushed the skirt slowly down her hips, to reveal the green panties beneath. He sucked in a breath at the sight of the lacy thong that covered very little. The thong matched the colour of his eyes.

  He slipped a tantalising finger under the elastic at the top of the lace, lightly stroking the treasure that lay hidden below, and Hope reached for his hand. “No, Xavier. Not yet. Please?” Her words were broken, her body alive with the need that was driving her insane.

  He pulled his hand back, and reached for his shirt. She watched as he slipped one button, then another from the holes. Her heart rate increased, as inch by beautiful inch his chest was revealed to her. How she wanted to run her hands over the hot planes.

  Hope tugged her top over her head, as Xavier grasped the waistband of the skirt she had worn. He pulled down, careful to avoid knocking the cast and quickly stood. He flicked at the fastener at his pants, a ripping sound, as the zipper opened to reveal the sexy green boxers below before they slipped to the ground. Then he stepped out of them. She itched to grab the band and yank it off him. “Come here, Xavier, and let me help you out.” She sat up slightly, crooking one finger. He smiled. Her body and breasts were tight with a burning need. She was almost naked, only covered by a scrap of lace, which hid nothing from his heated gaze. She watched as he looked her over. Up and down, and she shivered once more, as the sensual tension settled within her.

  “I hoped you would.” He flowed towards her, the satin tenting over the erection she knew lay beneath the surface of the cloth. Xavier reached the side of the bed, and she slipped questing fingers under the band, feeling the hot throbbing flesh against her skin. He sucked in a breath, and stood still. He became rigid beneath her ministrations. She smiled before carefully peeling the boxers from his body. She grazed him softly, as she looked upon the body she uncovered, starting with the strong powerful thighs, trim stomach and thatch of hair around his erect shaft.

  A quick smile in his direction, before letting her gaze wander once more down his body. The satin boxers lay pooled at his feet, sitting over the black shoes and socks that he still wore.

  Xavier turned and slowly sat down upon the bed, next to her. Pushed the boxers off with a move of his feet then followed quickly with toeing the shoes off. She stared at his feet, encased in black socks. “Oh my, Xavier. Socks on in bed?”

  He growled, and she giggled at the sexy response. A strong, handsome man in bed with her, and she laughed again at the silly thought.

  “Well, you’re still over dressed, though I do like those panties. Maybe we should get you some more of them.” His voice deepened, as he leaned over to lightly kiss her, letting the touch linger.

  Xavier tugged the light material at her waist, pulling it from her body. She went white hot, his careful caresses along her sensitised body leaving licking flames scorching her skin as they moved.

  Once more, his lips touched hers. She closed her eyes, allowing the pleasure of him, naked and close, to flash through her system. She arched towards him as he grasped the swell of her breast.

  Xavier had moved, letting his mouth wander slightly from her lips to her jaw, and Hope could feel his hot breath caressing her skin. Each new touch sparked a fire deep inside her.

  A quick wriggle and she moved so he could settle himself against her nearly
naked flesh. Hope gasped at the sensation of him touching her.

  The feel of him was electric, and she bucked slightly, feeling his engorged head rest at the juncture of her thighs.

  “Hope, you feel so good. But, now I want to feel your breasts, hold them in my hands while I watch your beautiful pink nipples tighten while you wait for me. I want to suck them into my mouth.” His words excited her further, while the sensations of him running his fingers over her firm flesh set off fireworks on her skin.

  He leant forward, but instead of kissing her nipples, he grazed his chest across the sensitive skin then leaned into her and kissed her with heat and desperation. She felt him tremble with desire, and she ran her inquisitive hands up and down the skin of his back.

  She grabbed him close and held him tightly to her, seeking an intimate connection, then he shifted and pulled up. She could see he breathed heavily, telling her wordlessly that he was as hot as she was, and she moved upright, following him as best she could.

  His shaft jerked when she touched the tip with her finger, running it down the long, hard length of him, while he settled back on his knees, one hand around her bare ankle, slipping the leg farther apart and baring her for his gaze.

  Looking at her, his face was a graven mask and in his eyes glittered a need she wanted to fill. He reached out a shaking hand towards her, running a finger up her core. Each pass burnt her, each touch deeper. Then he placed his tongue to her skin, lapping at her. She writhed beneath his ministrations, bucking wildly, until Xavier placed a hand on her belly.

  “Not yet.” The tip of his tongue found the sensitive nub and flicked, and she shuddered with the sensations as he slipped one finger within her wet opening, the sensations leaving her gasping. He continued the motion, in and out, and the feeling nearly pushed her over the edge, while she gripped the sheets beneath her.